Abstract: A friction driven beltless grain spreader system is presented that includes a spreader cone having a pulley and a grain deflector configured to disperse the flow of grain. A motor having a driven wheel and an idler wheel are pivotally connected to the spreader cone in operative engagement with the pulley such that the idler wheel is positioned between the driven wheel and the pulley. A tension member applies a force that pulls the driven wheel and intermediary wheel into the pulley. As the motor rotates the driven wheel rotates the idler wheel which rotates the pulley. When forces spike, such as when the motor is turned on or a heavy flow of grain hits the system, one or more of the driven wheel, intermediary wheel and/or pulley slip with respect to the other wheels thereby preventing breakage of the system.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a suspension traction device guided over at least one pulley and at least one counter pulley located adjacent to the pulley. The suspension traction device is guided between the pulley and the at least one counter pulley.

Abstract: A chain guide includes roller element bearings adapted to guide, while rolling, a timing chain through which torque is transmitted. The chain guide further includes a guide base arranged along one side of the timing chain and having an opposed pair of side plates. Each side plate is formed with plural shaft engaging portions arranged so as to lie on a circular arc. The chain guide further includes roller shafts having their ends supported by the respective shaft engaging portions, and rotatably supporting the roller element bearings. An oil guide hole is formed in a wall surface of each shaft engaging portion facing the end surface of the roller shaft so as to extend through the side plate to its outer side surface.

Abstract: A retainer for keeping an endless drive member of a drive system in a desired position. In one embodiment, the endless drive member is configured as a belt, wherein the retainer keeps the belt in position for engagement with an associated sheave even when the belt is slackened. The retainer may be configured as an elongate member having a first end fixed to a structure and a second unsupported end opposite the first end. The retainer may be positioned near the sheave and may be elastically deflected to permit removal of the belt when desired. In one embodiment, the retainer is configured as a coiled compression spring.

Abstract: A new asymmetrically damped tensioner is provided utilizing a bearing-ramp clutch. During normal operation, the bearing-ramp clutch enables the tensioner arm to pivot in a first direction to take up belt slack with negligible frictional damping applied to the motion of the tensioner arm. When the tensioner arm pivots in a second direction, away from the belt, however, in a condition commonly known as wind-up, the bearing-ramp clutch locks against a fixed internal surface and creates a frictional damping force that is applied to the tensioner arm. This frictional linkage provides asymmetric frictional damping to the tensioner to limit movement in the second direction to mitigate wind-up.

Abstract: The invention comprises a belt installation tool. The tool comprises a pair of arms connected at a pivot. Each arm has an end for engaging a pulley axle. A handtool is engaged with an arm. By a torque applied with the handtool through a short arcuate motion to the arms, the pulleys are moved apart, thereby tensioning a belt. A locking member or linkage is available to fix the arms in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A drive mechanism including a toothed pulley and a device for retaining mesh between the teeth of the pulley and the teeth of a belt after assembly thereto. The retaining device includes a retaining member positioned adjacent a toothed section of the pulley defining a space therebetween enabling the belt to fit between the retaining member and the toothed section of the pulley when the teeth are in mesh, the space between an apex or crown of a pulley tooth and the surface of the retaining member opposite thereto being smaller than the maximum thickness of the toothed belt thereby ensuring a mesh between the teeth of the belt and pulley to provide a synchronized drive therebetween.

Abstract: A vibration proofing system for an engine timing chain utilizes a tensioner on the slack side of the chain path, in which a ring-shaped, chain-engaging shoe is rotatably disposed on a circular frame mounted on the piston of a tensioner mechanism, and in which the shoe surrounds the frame and tensioner mechanism. Engine oil, which is used in the tensioner, is supplied from the tensioner to lubricate the rotatable chain-engaging shoe. On the tension side of the chain path, a guide includes fixed support, a first ring rotatable on the support, and a ring-shaped, chain-engaging shoe which is in off-centered relationship to the support and the inner diameter of which is larger than the outer diameter of the first ring. Engine oil is supplied through the support to lubricate the first ring.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling the temperature of a first surface when the latter is frictionally engaged by a second surface and the surfaces are in relative motion. The apparatus includes a thermal sensing means having a first section exposed on one of the surfaces. The thermal sensing means has an exposed second section which is spaced from the surfaces. Means is provided for effecting relative movement of at least one surface while said surfaces are in frictional engagement. Means is also provided for effecting adjustment of the surfaces to a non-engaging relation. A detecting means is provided having a segment thereof in a predetermined temperature-detecting relation with the second section of the thermal sensing means and being operatively connected to the surface-adjusting means whereby relative positioning of at least one of the surfaces is responsive to the temperature detected by the detecting means segment from the second section of the thermal sensing means.

Abstract: To prevent jamming of a threading roller chain being pushed against the teeth of a sprocket wheel which, in advance of being driven, is still stationary, a portion of the guide rail guiding the roller chain (11) and opposite the sprocket wheel (24) is formed to be resiliently deflectable, for example by including a rocker element (36) or a resilient track portion (51, 52), the rocker element or the resilient track portion being maintained by a spring (46, 55) in normal, undeflected position, but permitting deflection, the spring means returning the resiliently deflectable portion to aligned, undeflected position upon proper feeding and threading of the roller chain.