Abstract: A spring clutch where an input shaft and output shaft are connected and disconnected with each other through a coil spring. The coil spring is secured at one end to the output shaft and is freely disposed over the input shaft at its other end. A centrifugally responsive pawl is mounted to engage the coil spring at the end disposed about the input shaft when said input shaft is rotated at or above a predetermined speed to cause said coil to be wound and tightened about the coil spring, thereby connecting the input and output shaft.

Abstract: A variable centrifugal brake comprises a driven shaft carrying a disc with centrifugally-acting bob weights which bear against an axially displaceable bush, which in turn bears against a forked lever assembly, in turn bearing against a further lever carrying a friction lining engaging the periphery of the disc. The brake may be used in an exercise machine having a drum around which a pull cord is wound and a transmission for transmitting drive from the drum to the shaft of the brake.

Abstract: A novel torque exchange coupling for transmitting rotational mechanical power is described. The coupling includes a torque receiving member, a torque transmitting member and means for conveying rotational mechanical power between the torque transmitting and receiving members. Typically, the torque receiving member is a housing, a cam or other suitable structure which has a surface comprising a circuitous track. The linear circumference of the track is undulant with respect to its axis of rotation. The torque transmitting member is any suitable rotatable mounting means such as a rotor which is positioned in a rotational power conveying relationship with the undulant track of the torque receiving member. Alternatively, the function of the torque receiving and torque transmitting members can be reversed.

Abstract: A clutch employing articulated clutch shoes in pairs and flyweights for loads requiring variable torque such as lawn mowers. This articulated construction employs flyweights with cylindrical noses for placing pressure on clutch shoes of lower order of magnitude.

Abstract: A combination blade clutching and braking mechanism for insuring the safer operation of rotary lawn mowers. The clutching and braking safety mechanism automatically disengages a power clutch while the brake is being engaged. Conversely, when the mower is to be operated, the mechanism automatically disengages the brake and engages the clutch. There is a provision for a dead man control wherein the brake engages automatically and the clutch is disengaged automatically should the operator accidentally lose control of the mower.

Abstract: A pair of centrifugally movable shoes are pivotally mounted to a mower blade support. Drive bands are supported by the respective shoes and are positioned so as to be engageable with a source of rotational movement whereby such movement is translated to the blade by the bands, the shoes and the blade support. A brake band selectively engages the shoes to decelerate them thereby braking the blade. Additionally, engagement of the brake band with the shoes moves the latter in opposition to the centrifugal force applied to the shoes during rotation. This results in the drive bands being moved out of engagement with the rotational source.

Abstract: A mounting for a shaft of a tool rotating at high speed comprises a rotatably journaled tube with an axial bore of a diameter exceeding that of the tool shaft. The latter is held in that bore by resilient inserts, such as soft springs or O-rings, whose elasticity coefficient is so chosen that the shaft has a critical speed well below the operating speed of the tool. A locking device, preferably actuated automatically by a speed sensor, consolidates the shaft with the tube until the system surpasses the critical speed.

Abstract: An air clutch has a rotatable drum positioned within a rotatable rim and an air bellows attached to the interior surface of the rim and expandable with the supply of compressed air to urge a plurality of friction blocks into contact with the exterior surface of the drum. The friction blocks are individually supported for radial movement by torque pins on the rim by means of restoring springs. An inertia device is provided for each friction block to apply an inwardly directed radial force to the friction block so as to cancel the effect of the centrifugal force acting on the friction block due to rotation of the rim.

Abstract: A novel torque exchange coupling for transmitting rotational mechanical power is described. The coupling includes a torque receiving member, a torque transmitting member and means for conveying rotational mechanical power between the torque transmitting and receiving members. Typically, the torque receiving member is a housing, a cam or other suitable structure which has a surface comprising a circuitous track. The linear circumference of the track is undulant with respect to its axis of rotation. The torque transmitting member is any suitable rotatable mounting means such as a rotor which is positioned in a rotational power conveying relationship with the undulant track of the torque receiving member. Alternatively, the function of the torque receiving and torque transmitting members can be reversed.

Abstract: In a crop feed grinding and mixing apparatus having a mixing means mounted to a mobile frame, a grinding means fixed to the frame, material transfer means extending at least between the grinding means and the mixing means, material infeed means in material flow communication with the grinding means and drive means including a rotatable shaft operably connected to the mixing, grinding, material infeed and material transfer means, there is provided a speed responsive overload protective device mounted to the rotatable shaft so that when the drive means is slowed in operation below a predetermined speed by excessive crop feed accumulation in the grinding means the protective device automatically disengages the material infeed means from the drive means.

Abstract: A fail-safe, velocity-discriminating centrifugal clutch having a biased, ion-transmitting pawl element displaceable at speeds at or above a predetermined threshold value to an engagement position with a driven ratchet assembly. Under conditions of missing or malassembled parts, clutch operation is in the fail-safe mode with no transmission of rotary motion. In the engaged position, no centrifugal force generated by the pawl element is applied to the ratchet assembly. This feature, plus the radial contact between the pawl element and the ratchet assembly, allows operation between misaligned input and output shafts, even at high rotational speeds.