Abstract: A fixed, ball-type constant velocity joint includes an outer member (10) having ball-receiving tracks (17) and lands (18) between the tracks. The lands engage the external surface (21) of a cage (12) and are provided with relief portions (25) which extend across the whole circumferential widths of the lands. The relief portions are located between first and second contacting portions of the external cage surface and the facing land surfaces. The provision of the relief portions facilitates the formation of the land surfaces by reducing the area which has to be accurately shaped. The lands are hardened but before hardening may be provided with the relief portions (25).

Abstract: A non-rotating and axially secured connection between an inner joint part of a constant velocity joint and a driveshaft has an inner joint part at its outer circumference with tracks for receiving torque-transmitting balls or tripod arms for sliding on rollers, as well as-a central bore with inner teeth. The driveshaft is inserted into the bore and is provided with corresponding outer teeth. At the end of the inner joint part facing the shaft end, the bore, with its inner teeth, changes into a through-hole with a smaller diameter. At the end of the driveshaft in front of the outer teeth, a cylindrical portion is provided carrying an axial securing mechanism.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bellows device (17) including an elastic bellows (19) adapted to be connected at a first end to a first rotary member (9) and the second end of which has a portion (24) turned back axially outwards, the free end of this turned back portion being adapted to be fixed to a second rotary member (11). The device includes a rigid member (21) for stabilizing the bellows (19) including a radially external connecting part adapted to assure axial retention of said member (21) relative to the second rotary member (11) and a radially internal part (33) adapted to extend axially towards the turned back portion (24), inside the latter, and to have an annular surface facing the bellows (19) that is free of sharp edges.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal ball joint in the form of a plunging joint has an outer joint part provided with outer ball tracks which extend at a first angle of intersection +.gamma..sub.t relative to the longitudinal axis A.sub.a of the outer joint part. An inner joint part is provided with inner ball tracks which extend at a second angle of intersection -.gamma..sub.t relative to the longitudinal axis A.sub.i of the inner joint part. Torque transmitting balls are guided in outer and inner ball tracks associated with one another in pairs, with the angles of intersection +.gamma..sub.t, -.gamma..sub.t of tracks associated with one another in pairs relative to the longitudinal axes A.sub.a, A.sub.i of the respective joint part being of identical size and being set in opposite senses. A ball cage is positioned between the outer joint part and the inner joint part, and has circumferentially distributed cage windows holding the balls in a common plane.

Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint of the tripode type including a first joint member having a first rotational axis and three tracks circumferentially spaced about the axis and extending lengthwise thereof. A second joint member is also included having a second rotational axis and three arms extending into the respective tracks of the first joint member. Each of the arms has a respective arm axis, and a roller is carried by each arm. Each roller has a roller axis and an external circumferential surface which engages opposite sides of the respective track in the first joint member. The external circumferential surface of each roller is a surface of revolution about the roller axis of a convex generally arcuate line having a meridian radius. The roller is characterized in that the meridian radius is greater than the equatorial radius.

Abstract: A rotational coupling of a wheel flange (14) to an output member (12) of a transmission joint for use in coupling a motor vehicle wheel flange to the outward bell housing of a constant-velocity joint in the vehicle-transmission. The wheel flange (14) is mounted so that it can rotate freely through a wheel support (16) by a rolling-contact bearing (18). The wheel flange (14) and the joint output member (12) includes a complementary coupling (19) including a ring (40) attached to the end of the flange facing the output member (12). The ring includes driving profiles (44) designed to interact with complementary profiles (54) associated with the output member. The force-transmission interface of the driving profiles (44) is distributed essentially outwardly of the extension of the end of the wheel flange (14) bearing the ring (40).

Abstract: An assembly for driving and supporting a wheel has a wheel hub 20 and an outer joint member 31. The wheel hub 20 includes a flange 21 which connects the wheel 5 and the wheel hub 20 together. A constant velocity joint is rotatably supported on a wheel carrier 8 by a supporting means. The constant velocity joint is fixed for torque transmitting purposes and is rotatably supported about an axis by a rolling contact bearing 14 having two rows of rolling contact members 17, 18. Two inter-engaging sets of teeth 29, 29' secure the constant velocity joint to the wheel hub 20. The first set of teeth 29 moves axially in relation to the outer joint member 31 causing the second set of teeth 29' to be formed in a bore 33 within the outer joint member 31 during assembly.

Abstract: A joint disc made of a fiber composite material with a plurality of flexible leaf elements and a plurality of angular fixing elements which are composed of laminations of fiber composite material, with the leaf elements, at each of their ends, having an increasing thickness extending at least over 10% of their length.

Abstract: A system for removably and mechanically locking a sleeve on a driveshaft includes at least one peripheral groove comprising a bearing face on the driveshaft. At least one peripheral slot on the sleeve forms a chamber in the internal peripheral wall of the sleeve and includes a bearing face. At least one wedge-forming element can move more or less radially within the chamber between a position retracted inside the housing to allow the shaft to be slipped into the sleeve, and a position partially protruding from said chamber in which said element is designed to bear on the bearing face of the groove and on the bearing face of the chamber 34. Means for moving the movable wedge-forming element move the wedge-forming element radially inward, from outside the sleeve, in order to lock the sleeve on the shaft.

Abstract: The cavity of the bell housing 4, having six grooves 17, forms an axially inner spherical cap 15 extended by an axially outer cylindrical part 16. In order to keep the cage 9 in a predetermined axial position, there are provided at least three undercut cylindrical recesses 20 formed in the cylindrical part 16 between a first set of grooves 17; for each recess 20, a filling member 30 which substantially matches the recess 20; and a holding means 23 for holding a filling member 30 in each of the recesses 20.

Abstract: A coupling for transmitting torque between two parts has a friction coupling with a chamber including a piston and a rotational member. A pumping and control member is positioned in the chamber and includes at least one shear channel. The pumping and control member is rotatable between two positions such that viscous fluid moves through the channel to load the coupling.

Abstract: a sliding universal joint has a male element (1), especially a tripod, intended to be fixed to a first shaft and including arms (6) on each of which a roller (3) with a spherical external surface is mounted so that it can rotate and slide. A female element (2) intended to be fixed to a second shaft and defines on each side of each spherical roller two runway paths (7,8). A first of these runway paths (7) interacts directly with the spherical roller and axially positionins it. Between each spherical roller (3) and the associated second runway path (8) there is interposed an anti-vibration assembly (4) which, on the inside, includes a spherical surface which substantially matches the external surface of the spherical roller and interacts with this surface. This assembly (4) moves along the second runway path (8).

Abstract: A constant velocity universal ball joint has a bell-shaped outer joint part which is open at one end. The outer joint part includes longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed outer ball tracks. An inner joint part with longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed inner ball tracks is positioned within the outer part such that the outer and inner tracks are arranged radially opposite one another to form pairs. A torque transmitting ball is received in each track pair. A cage is arranged between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and holds the balls in a common plane in circumferentially distributed cage windows. The cage guides the balls on to the angle bisecting plane when the axes of the outer and inner joint part are articulated relative to one another. The outer joint part is produced, especially by extrusion, forging or deep-drawing. The forming provides outer ball tracks which, if viewed from the open end, are axially undercut-free.

Abstract: A wheel hub/constant velocity joint unit having a double-row bearing assembly 18 arranged on the wheel hub 11 and comprising at least one separate inner bearing ring 42 pointing towards the constant velocity joint. The outer joint part 25 of the constant velocity joint comprises a central inner aperture 26 which points towards the wheel hub 11 and includes inner teeth 30. An annular member 36 with outer teeth 37 is non-rotatingly inserted into the inner aperture 26. Removable axial connections are provided between the outer joint part 25 and the annular member 36. The annular member 36 is non-removably connected to the wheel hub 11.

Abstract: A convoluted boot made of thermoplastic elastomer for sealing an annular gap between two parts which are connected to one another so as to be rotationally fixed and articulatable relative to one another. The invention is especially useful in a constant velocity universal joint. The boot has two collar regions for being secured by a clamping element on the parts. A number of fold units extending between the collars. A base body is made of a thermoplastic material, and at least at one of the collar regions, is provided on its inside and outside with a coating. The coating material comprises a greater elasticity than the material of the base body.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint for high-speed drives such as propeller shafts in motor vehicles has the outer joint part and the inner joint part held relative to one another in an optimum way so that they rotate centrally relative to one another at any angle occurring in operation. This is achieved in that the constant velocity universal joint is provided in the form of a so-called quadripode joint consisting of an outer joint part and an inner joint part which is supported by centering the cross member associated with the inner joint part by means of the arms thereof against respective stops in the outer joint part.

Abstract: A sliding universal joint comprises a male element (1) intended to be fixed to a first shaft and including arms (6). Each arm bears a ball-type journal (7) which is integral therewith. A female element (20 intended to be fixed to a second shaft defines two guide paths which are situated on either side of each journal. Intermediate member (3, 4) are interposed between each journal and the associated guide paths. These intermediate members comprise a first member (3) which interacts with a first path (8) of the guide paths and has properties, with respect to the transmission and/or generation of vibration, which are different from those exhibited by the interaction between the second member (4) and the second guide path.

Abstract: An axially fixed homokinetic tripod joint for high-speed motor vehicle transmission has a tube (2) constituting a transmission shaft connected to a sleeve (26) in which extends a stem (6) provided at its end with a tripod element (10) cooperative with an adapted barrel (20) carried by a complementary transmission shaft. The sleeve (26) has at its free end three centering lugs (34A) which have an outer spherical surface and which cooperate with a spherical central cavity in the barrel (20) for providing an axially fixed and articulated assembly of the joint.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal ball joint has a bell-shaped outer joint part which is open at one end. The outer joint part includes longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed outer ball tracks. An inner joint part with longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed inner ball tracks is positioned within the outer part such that the outer and inner tracks are arranged radially opposite one another to form pairs. A torque transmitting ball is received in each track pair. A cage is arranged between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and holds the balls in a common plane in circumferentially distributed cage windows. The cage guides the balls on to the angle bisecting plane when the axes of the outer and inner joint part are articulated relative to one another. The outer joint part is produced, especially by extrusion, forging or deep-drawing. The forming provides outer ball tracks which, if viewed from the open end, are axially undercut-free.

Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint part with three circumferentially distributed, axis-parallel recesses forming circumferentially distributed opposed tracks. An inner joint part has a star-shaped cross-section and three circumferentially distributed arms engaging the recesses in the outer joint part. The arms support roller assemblies. When torque is transmitted with the joint in an extended position, the resultant K.sub.1 of the forces acting from the inner joint part directly on a roller forms a shorter perpendicular distance from the joint axis than the resultant K.sub.2 of the counter forces acting from the outer joint part on the roller, so that, when torque is introduced into the joint, at any angle of articulation of the operating range, the roller is subject to a tilting moment.