Abstract: A cam drive system having parallel input and output shafts and means for rotating the input shaft includes a plurality of cams coupled at intervals around the periphery of the input shaft. Each cam utilizes a camming surface which incorporates a radially outwardly sweeping step section and a constant radius dwell section positioned adjacent to each step section. A plurality of cam followers are coupled at intervals around the periphery of the output shaft. Each cam follower is aligned to engage a single one of the cams. The present invention converts the continuous rotation of the input shaft into intermittant displacements of the output shaft.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for splitting wood such as logs, comprising a prime mover selectively connectable to an elongated screw member to rotate the screw member in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction, the screw member being mounted for rotation with a thrust bearing at one end of the screw member, an elongated bed structure, a trolley mounted for movement along the elongated bed structure, a nut having screw threads complementary to the screw member defined therethrough attached to the trolley and receiving and engaging the threads of the elongated screw member, and an abutment and a cutting blade, one of which is mounted to the trolley and the other of which is mounted to the bed structure adjacent the thrust bearing such that a log may be placed between the splitting blade and abutment and the blade urged into the log by moving the trolley towards the log by rotation of the screw member with the screw member being in tension during the splitting operation.

Abstract: Rotary drive apparatus includes coaxial inner and outer shaft portions. One portion supports a pair of bearings on axes offset from the shaft axis. The other portion supports rotatable bearing rings offset from the shaft and bearing axes, but in alignment with the bearings. A flexible sealing member is oriented between the two shaft portions and is non-rotatable. Band contact between the bearings, the flexible sealing member, and the rings due to Hertzian stress results in absorption of stress forces over a wide area, thus reducing wear.

Abstract: An oblique leverage transmission has a first drive shaft coupled to rotate a first bevel drive gear and first and second force transfer bevel gears in an epicyclic gear train arrangement. A second drive shaft is coupled to be rotated by a second bevel drive gear which is rotated by third and fourth force transfer bevel gears positioned about the periphery of the drive gear also in an epicyclic gear train arrangement. A first connecting rod is eccentrically coupled between the first force transfer gear and a first load transfer means movably positioned on a first inclined plane. A third connecting rod is eccentrically coupled between the third force transfer gear and the first load transfer means. Second and fourth connecting rods are eccentrically coupled between the second and fourth force transfer gears respectively and a second load transfer means movably positioned on a second inclined plane.

Abstract: A device for measuring the depth of a body of water and for marking the position of measurement to facilitate structural fishing. The device comprises a base for supporting an annular scale for rotation relative to said base. Float means is provided for supporting the device in the water with a portion of the scale above the surface of the water and with its axis of rotation horizontal. Also provided is a rotatable spool having a line wound around the spool. A weight is connected to the free end of the line for unreeling the line as the weight sinks in the water. Means is coupled between the spool and the annular scale and is responsive to rotation of the spool for rotating the annular scale an amount which is a function of the length of line unreeled from the spool as the weight sinks in the water.

Abstract: Presented is a rotation control apparatus that may be motor driven or hand operated and which may be operated from a remote point. The apparatus includes an inner frame or cage adapted to be mounted on a suitable support in a stationary manner. Surrounding the inner frame or cage is an outer frame or cage that is adapted to rotate in relation to the stationary frame, the outer frame or cage being adapted to mount an object to be rotated under control of an operator. Drive means are interposed between the inner and outer frames or cages to effect controlled rotation of the outer frame.

Abstract: A coupler for joining two eccentrically rotating members for simultaneous rotation about their respective axes at the same angular velocity without angular phase shift. The invention is particularly useful for coupling the rotor and cam ring in certain types of positive fluid displacing devices. The coupling includes a double crank member with a central portion extending along a first axis and two end portions extending from each end of the central portion along a second axis parallel to the first. The central portion is received in a bore in the inner member and the end portions are received in opposing mutually parallel slots in the outer member.

Abstract: Apparatus for transversely sealing a wrapping tube includes opposed sealing tools movable in unison linearly along an operating path having a beginning and an end while sealing a wrapping tube. The tools return from the end of the operating path to the beginning thereof by moving along arcuate return paths. Crank mechanisms for so moving the tools include cam tracks and cooperating cam followers. The cam followers are urged against the cam tracks under the influence of centrifugal force during movement of the tools along the return paths.

Abstract: A solar tracking device constructed in accordance with the present invention includes an azimuthal drive mechanism which utilizes the variable angular velocity of the driven member of a universal joint as the source of power for driving a carriage about a fixed axis at a variable angular velocity corresponding to the variable angular velocity of the sun about the fixed axis. The driving element of the universal joint is mounted on a driving shaft which extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the earth. The altitude control mechanism includes a driving element mounted on the driving shaft which rotates about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the earth. The driving element rotates in an equitorial plane whereby its angle of inclination varies in accordance with the variation in altitude of the sun as it rotates in azimuth.

Abstract: A group operated circuit disconnect apparatus for overhead electric power lines has a base in the form of a box-like housing which mounts on a pole, an upright shaft extends through the housing, and a transverse shaft also extends through the housing. A linkage is mounted on the shafts in the housing so that axial rotation of the upright shaft axially rotates the transverse shaft, and this causes three circuit disconnect switches mounted on the housing to be moved simultaneously between closed positions and open positions, or vice versa, as the upright shaft is manually rotated. An end of the housing has a removable closure plate for access to the linkage.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying torque to a vertically suspended electrode whereby threaded electrode sections can be readily connected.

Abstract: An integral revolution clutch is provided wherein a motor rotates a drive pulley which continuously drives an idler pulley through a belt. A drive shaft is provided with a segment of a circle thereon connectable to the idler pulley by means of the belt. A spring means urges the segment into contact with the belt and a stop means normally prevents contact. When the stop means is deactivated, the segment is drawn between the belt and the pulley, causing the shaft on which the segment is located to make an integral number of revolutions until the stop means is restored. In a similar manner, power can be taken directly from the drive pulley.

Abstract: A governor supporting assembly is adapted to serve also as coupling means between a first shaft, which may be the output shaft of the automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, and a second shaft while also mounting the governor for rotation jointly with said first shaft. A governor housing has secured thereto a cylindrical extension member arranged for engagement around portions of the coupled shafts. External axially extending splines formed on the engaging portions of the shafts are adapted to mesh with internal axially extending splines formed on the cylindrical extension member. A retaining or clip ring is fitted in annular grooves defined in both the externally splined surfaces of either of the shafts and in the internally splined surface of the cylindrical extension member in order to prevent relative axial movement of the engaged shaft with respect to the cylindrical extension member of the governor housing.

Abstract: A powered wheel system wherein a rapidly rotating wheel carries weighted balls upwardly to load the downward side of a slower rotating power wheel to drive the same. The balls are unloaded at the bottom of the power wheel and then picked up by the rapidly rotating wheel and the cycle repeated.In another embodiment, the rapidly rotating wheel is driven by a connected drive-wheel, which carries a plurality of ball weights in an eccentric loop, inwardly on the upward side and outwardly in the downward side of such drivewheel as it rotates.The power wheel drives a flywheel which has reciprocably moveable weights mounted thereon, a plate with an eccentric guide path is provided which directs the weights inwardly on the upward side of the wheel and outwardly on the downward side of the wheel as the wheel rotates.

Abstract: A device for converting a constant rotational input into a rotational output which is proportional to a separate input signal characterized by first and second members each having a surface of revolution about an axis with the surface of at least one of the members having an axially changing diameter and the first and second members being mounted for rotation with their surfaces adjacent one another, means for rotating the first member, a transfer device including a pair of rollers mounted for rotation in a plane of rotation for engaging the surfaces of the first and second members and for transmitting rotation of the first member to the second member, the transfer means is connected to a supporting device by a pivot connection having a pivot axis lying in the plane of rotation, and a device for shifting the transfer device along the axis of one of the first and second members to vary the rate of rotation of the second member.

Abstract: An improved drive for rotating the boom-carrying portion of a rotary crane on the base portion of the crane about an upright axis employs an electric motor rotating continuously in one direction when energized and operatively connected to a drive element rotatable on one of the crane portions. The drive element engages the other crane portion and thereby rotates the boom-carrying portion. The motion transmitting train which connects the motor to the drive element includes an electromagnetic coupling whose slip may be controlled to vary the torque transmitted from the motor to the drive element.

Abstract: A fixed ratio mechanical drive employing the tractive affect of rollers under pressure to transmit torque between co-axial members, including a means of obtaining the improved tractive engagement between rolling surfaces. The drive includes a first shaft in rolling contact with a number of equally spaced apart rollers on offset pins hinged in a second shaft, the improved traction being obtained by causing the rollers to rotate within a helicoidal component housed in a segmental locating ring having opposed conical shoulders co-operating with an adjacent ring and sleeve maintained under axial spring pressure resulting in tractive engagement between the helicoidal component, rollers and the first shaft.

Abstract: A torque transmitting devices has an input shaft having two axially-spaced sets of external splines. Two internally splined members are threadedly interengaged and respectively engage the spline sets on the shaft. The angular positions of the members are adjusted by spacers so that the portion of the shaft between its spline sets is in torsion, the direction of the torsion being such as to increase the threaded engagement between the members.

Abstract: A transmission device comprising a first rotary element having two rolling friction surfaces which are of revolution about the axis of rotation of the element, or first axis, and having a center of symmetry located on the first axis, the two surfaces of the first element each being in frictional contact at a single point with one or the other of two rolling friction surfaces which are of revolution about a common axis of rotation, or second axis, and have a center of symmetry located on said second axis, the first axis and the second axis being inclined with respect to each other at an angle a and contained in the same plane, wherein the center of symmetry of the surfaces of revolution of the first element and the center of symmetry of the surfaces of revolution which are in contact with the first element are coincident at the same point S, the two surfaces of revolution about the second axis are formed on two parts connected to rotate with each other of a second element connected to a first shaft coaxial wit