Abstract: A locking clutch associated with a standard size wheel having a pilot hole opening therein, the clutch being of the type comprising a housing having the clutch mechanism therein including manual means for locking or unlocking the clutch means, the clutch housing comprising an outer body adapted to fit coaxially within the wheel pilot hole opening and having an annular flange at one end with a plurality of wheel stud openings matching the stud openings in the wheel, said annular flange being disposed between the vehicle wheel hub and the wheel and secured to both by the same mounting studs and stud nuts that secure the wheel to the wheel hub.

Abstract: Apparatus for limiting excessive torque imposed by a driving member on a driven member under impact torque conditions. The apparatus includes clutch means arranged to be loosely set for permitting slippage to reduce the torque upon the instant of impact and to be automatically tightened to carry normal torque thereafter.

Abstract: A remotely operable drive coupling for selectively engaging and disengaging a driving shaft and a driven shaft operable in accordance with the direction of shaft rotation. The coupling comprises a splined axially movable member connected to the driven shaft and having a screw-threaded bore, and a screw-threaded terminal part on the driving shaft adapted to be threadably received in the threaded bore when the driving shaft is rotated in one direction and the axially movable member is urged toward and in engagement with the terminal part of the driving shaft coupling the two members. Upon rotation of the driving shaft in the opposite direction, the parts become unscrewed and the axially movable part is resiliently urged away from the driving shaft uncoupling the members.The device can be controlled hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically.

Abstract: A semi-automatic roller type locking clutch for use between concentric rotational driving and driven members comprises a semi-automatic locking means and a manually activated locking means. The semi-automatic locking means is adapted to displace a plurality of rollers each disposed within a plurality of grooves circumferentially disposed on one member up onto one edge of the grooves and into contact with one edge of each of a plurality of grooves disposed on the other member whenever the driving member rotates faster than the driven member. The manually activated locking means is adapted to urge a clutch ring member slidably splined to one member into splined engagement with the other member when the members are nonrotational with respect to each other.

Abstract: A driving and braking apparatus usable with a load such, for example, as an uphill belt conveyor.

Abstract: A back-up safety system stops the engine of a machine such as a power mower upon failure of a main safety system whereby release of a dead man control normally declutches a work performing member from the engine and brakes it to a stop while the engine continues to run. The back-up safety system comprises a switch that is closed upon release of the dead man control, in series with an SCR in a magneto grounding circuit. The SCR is gated on by a sensor comprising a biasing coil connected with the SCR, a ferromagnetic rotor constrained to rotate with the work performing member and having circumferentially spaced pole projections, a permanent magnet, and a core with which the coil is coupled and which cooperates with the rotor and magnet to define a magnetic circuit wherein flux density varies as rotor projections pass a pole face on the core.

Abstract: A drive for a wheeled vehicle including a hub adapted to receive the driving wheel of such vehicle. The hub receives and rotatably supports an axle having a worm screw thereon and positioned within such hub. The worm in turn supports an eccentrically weighted driver of drum-like configuration so that rotational force transmitted to the axle in either direction traverses the weighted driver back and forth within the hub in a generally upright position. The driver resists rotation with the axle by reason of its eccentrically weighted configuration. Driving contact is made between the outer face of the driver and the inner face of the hub ends at opposite sides thereof so that rotation of the axle will cause driving force to be imparted to the hub in either direction dependent on which end of the hub the driver is contacting.

Abstract: A safety device for a power takeoff shaft whereby the hydraulic control valve spool for controlling the power takeoff drive operates a switch in the engine starter circuit to disable the starter circuit when the power takeoff clutch is engaged.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved control system for air actuated ahead and astern clutches, an engine speed governor, and a propeller shaft brake of a marine propulsion system. The control is actuated by a throttle lever which is moved from a neutral position to select a direction of travel. The degree of movement from neutral of the throttle lever is representative of the desired speed in the selected direction. The improved control engages the brake when the throttle lever is in neutral and when the throttle lever is moved from an ahead to an astern direction at medium or high forward speeds. When such a change in commanded direction occurs, a shift delay valve is first actuated to delay the inflation of the astern clutch. The delay is dependent upon the forward speed previously prevailing. At medium forward speeds the brake is released shortly after the astern clutch begins to inflate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lawn mower comprising a rotatable cutter blade supported on a frame, a prime mover supported on the frame, a selectively operable starter mechanism connected to the prime mover for starting thereof, a drive mechanism for selectively connecting the prime mover in driving engagement with the cutter blade, which drive mechanism is movable between a first or drive position wherein the prime mover is drivingly engaged with the cutter blade and a second or disengaged or neutral position wherein the prime mover is disengaged from the cutter blade, a spring biasing the drive mechanism toward the second or disengaged position, and an interlock operably connected to the drive mechanism and to the starter mechanism for preventing starting of the prime mover when the drive mechanism is in the first or drive position.

Abstract: The safety braking device comprises a case for mounting on the unit and in which there is journalled a shaft carrying a drive wheel engaged with a surface along which surface the unit moves. Fixed brake discs prevented from rotating with respect to the case are interposed between movable discs mounted on the shaft to rotate with the shaft. Screws extend through the movable discs and each have a head at one end and a gear pinion screwthreadedly engaged on the opposite end of the screws for axially tightening the discs together. The gear pinions are meshed with a gear wheel fixed to a support member which is mounted on the shaft to be rotatable by the shaft through the effect of friction between the shaft and support member.

Abstract: The invention is an engine starting mechanism comprising first and second frictional gripping members carried by a sleeve member mounted to the shaft of a starting motor. The first and second frictional gripping members are adapted to engage an engine flywheel disc which is beveled to provide angular disposed opposed faces. Upon initiation of rotation of the starter shaft by the starter motor, the first frictional gripping member is adapted to move along an axial spline between the sleeve member and the frictional member thereby engaging one face of the beveled engine flywheel disc. The second frictional gripping member is caused to move axially with respect to the first member by the same helical spline on the sleeve member, thereby gripping the opposite face of the engine flywheel disc and causing the rotary movement of the starter motor shaft to be imparted to the flywheel disc.

Abstract: A caliper type disc brake actuated by threaded members of a screw and nut assembly in which one of the members is axially movable but held against rotation and the other threaded member is rotatble relative to the caliper. The rotatable member is mounted for the application of force against the caliper during braking. Clamping force is applied to a friction lining carrier upon rotation of the rotatable threaded member in one direction. The threads of the threaded member have a helix angle and shape to cause overhauling rotation of the rotatable threaded member in the opposite direction upon release of the clamping force on the friction lining carrier for automatic return of the brake parts from a braking position to a position away from the disc.

Abstract: A brake comprises a friction pad carried by a support and engageable with a braking surface of a rotor. An adjusting device moves the friction pad relative to the support to compensate for wear of the friction material. The adjusting device comprises a screw extending parallel with the direction of movement of the friction pad and a thrust member in screw threaded engagement with the screw member and engaging the friction pad. The thrust member transmits braking forces from the screw member to the friction pad and can rock into force-transmitting engagement with the support under the action of the braking and reaction forces.

Abstract: An air actuated disc brake incorporates a power screw mechanism for applying a braking force and a mechanical rapid advance mechanism which is operated during the initial rotation of the power screw for advancing the screw and a piston-shaped nut axially to take up at least a major portion of the running clearance of the brake.

Abstract: A drive system for a laundry apparatus including a torque sensing drive mechanism for determining the presence of washing fluid in the cavity of a rotary positive displacement pump by means of the different resistive torque responses of relatively full and empty pump cavities. A clutch mechanism joins two driving pulleys that are belt-connected to two driven pulleys on the transmission and pump units. The presence of washing fluid in the pump cavity effects separation of the driving pulleys and actuates only the pump unit. Absence of washing fluid in the pump cavity causes the driving pulleys to remain coupled and a centrifugal extraction operation is initiated through the transmission and spin clutch.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes forward and reverse driving gears rotatably mounted on the input shaft which has first and second oppositely threaded driving spiral threads thereon. First and second clutch elements threadedly engage the spiral threads on the input shaft. In the neutral position, the clutch elements rotate with the input shaft but when rotation is impeded, the spiral threads drive the clutch elements axially into engagement with the driving gears. An improved shift mechanism includes a yoke having two legs which extend over flanges on the clutch elements. A pin member moves the clutch elements upon axial movement of the shift linkage. Drag is provided for the yoke so that the flange of the clutch element is pinched between the pin member and the yoke to impede rotation of the clutch element. The shift mechanism engages and disengages the clutch smoothly and with the engine torque providing most of the force required for engagement and disengagement.