Abstract: Driving systems for belted machines have in the past utilized a common material interface to drive the belted machine. For example, rubber belted machines have generally used a rubber drive therewith. The present drive wheel is made of metal and includes a plurality of contacting elements attached to the outer surface of a drum. Each of the contacting elements have a contacting surface have a generally diamond configuration defining a leading point of contact, a trailing point of contact, a major length and a minor length. The plurality of contacting elements are arranged on the drum in a plurality of spaced apart rows which extend circumferentially along and axis and each of the major lengths coincide with the axis. Furthermore, the major length is greater in length than the minor length. The plurality of contacting elements extend from the outer surface a preestablished distance and the interface of the preestablished distance and the contacting surface form a sharp edge 67 or a point 68.

Abstract: A compact and rugged belt drive mechanism includes a hydraulically controlled actuator located generally between first and second variable pulley assemblies individually having a movable pulley disc and a fixed pulley disc in order to controllably position the movable pulley discs. A drive belt is entrained between the pulley assemblies, and a force-multiplying apparatus including a competitively profiled cam with oppositely inclined ramps and a plurality of roller members engaging the cam serves to automatically adjust tension on the drive belt. The force-multiplying apparatus and an associated plurality of compression springs for applying a preload against the drive belt are operatively associated with only one of the movable pulley discs for simplicity.

Abstract: This invention concerns a debris deflector (30) primarily useful for vehicles (24) having wheels (14,16) supporting an endless track (12). With no deflector (30) debris accumulates in the endless track (12) impeding vehicle performance. An inverted "V"-shaped elastomeric deflector (30) is connected to the vehicle (24) so as to be situated between front and rear wheels (14,16). The upper ridge (34) of the inverted "V" is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (24). As debris falls from an upper portion of the endless track (12) it strikes the deflector (30) and is deflected out of the endless track (12). The deflector (30) has front and rear edge portions adjacent, respectively, tread surfaces (18) of the front and rear wheels (14,16) for scraping debris from tread surfaces (18) of said wheels (14,16).

Abstract: A tire and center support assembling apparatus has a tire supporting frame, a powered actuator having a movable element, and a shoe assembly connected to the movable element and being of a construction sufficient for moving a plurality of shoes into engagement with a split rim to expand it into a preselected interference fit position within a tire.

Abstract: A tire and center support assembling apparatus has a tire supporting frame, a powered actuator having a movable element, and a shoe assembly connected to the movable element and being of a construction sufficient for moving a plurality of shoes into engagement with a split rim to expand it into a preselected interference fit position within a tire.