Abstract: A disposable video cassette for rotatably mounting a pair of reels for a recording tape in juxtaposition to allow transfer of the tape from one reel to the other as they are rotated in unison when the cassette is operating in a video cassette recorder (VCR) has a housing formed from a position of a singly flat paperboard blank having plural cutouts and fold lines for mounting the reels and accommodating rotation therein, for loading the cassette directly into the VCR. A pair of the cutouts is spaced apart in one side of the housing to expose the respective rotational driving mechanisms of the pair of reels in the housing, for mating with the driving mechanism of the VCR when the cassette is loaded therein. Another position of the blank constitutes an appendage to the housing conforming to the shape of the housing when formed.

Abstract: A universal joint of the tripod type comprising an outer joint member (1) in the form of a sleeve with three internal axis-parallel recesses (2) each with circumferentially opposed track pairs (3, 4), an inner joint member (7) with three arms (8) extending into the recesses, intermediate elements (12) pivotally supported on the arms, and rollers (15) guided in the tracks in the recesses and running on rolling members (14) carried by the intermediate elements, wherein the arms of the inner joint member have part-spherical surfaces (10, 11) facing the tracks in the outer joint member, the intermediate elements are non-rotatably held on the arms and have part-spherical internal surfaces engaging the part-spherical surfaces of the arms, and the rollers are displaceable radially of the joint on the rolling members carried by the intermediate elements as well as being rotatable thereabout.

Abstract: A cassette housing for a recording medium and the transport mechanism for the recording medium is composed of a thin one-piece blank of self-supporting foldable material such as paperboard with indentation lines for folding it into a structure with a pair of generally parallel, spaced apart, planar side panels and an end panel between the side panels and extending normal thereto, and having tabs foldable along others of the indentation lines to form three more end panels extending normal to the side panels to enclose the transport mechanism within the structure and maintain the side panels parallel to each other with relative rigidity. The blank has cutouts to form openings in one of the end panels for passage of the recording medium therethrough while mounted on its transport mechanism.

Abstract: A piston ring type seal for squeeze film dampers comprises a hollow oil filled ring structure with transverse inlet and exit orifices to control the flow of squeeze film oil past the ring.

Abstract: A self-balanced drive shaft assembly comprises a cylindrical shaft having an axially extending cylindrical bore formed therein; a small amount of liquid contained in the bore of the cylindrical shaft, the liquid being movable in the bore in response to movement of the shaft; and two joints operatively connected to axially opposed ends of the shaft respectively. At least one of the joints permits a pivotal movement of the shaft about a pivot point defined by the other joint.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damping apparatus which operates between the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft of the transmission in a motor vehicle has two flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of one or more dampers installed in a fluid-containing chamber of the flywheel which is connected to the crankshaft. The chamber has one or two annular compartments for the coil springs of the damper or dampers, and such coil springs are caused to store energy by a flange which is connected to the flywheel that drives the input shaft of the transmission and by integral or separately produced stops of the flywheel which is connected with the crankshaft. The flange cooperates with the respective flywheel to form a flow restrictor which opposes the flow of fluid from and into the compartment or compartments of the chamber in response to expansion or contraction of the coil springs.

Abstract: A resilient coupling has a hydraulic damping appliance for torsional oscillations. Between a first and a second coupling half there is provided a suspended damping ring, which is not connected in a form-locking manner with either of the two coupling halves, but which forms displacement chambers of different sizes with both coupling halves. In this way the coupling is in a position to counteract torsional oscillations having small amplitudes with weak damping and oscillations having large amplitudes with strong damping. From the kinematic point of view the suspended damping ring is at any one time a component of the first or the second coupling half.

Abstract: A magnetic drive system in a reactor generates rotational and translational motion of the agitator. The magnetic drive system includes a tubular shaft having one end attached to the agitator, and another end. A magnetic annular weight is fitted to the another end. A guide column has an end supported by the reactor body and a free end, the guide column further having a cylindrical bore in which an intermediate part of the tubular shaft slides in a fluid tight manner. A cylindrical guide cap is fluid tightly mounted to the free end of the guide column, the guide cap covering the magnetic annular weight and incorporating a cylindrical guide shaft integral with a bottom of the cap, the tubular shaft sliding coaxially and fluid tightly on the guide shaft.

Abstract: A "standpipe" lubrication device for a universal joint assembly. In a preferred form, the lubrication device includes a plurality of annular protuberances on opposed first and second ends. The protuberances, serving as sealing and tolerance absorption media, define adjoining frustoconical and cylindrical surfaces. Each cylindrical surface terminates in a radially extending annular surface, the latter adapted to provide a self-locking feature against dislodgement of the device from a lubrication passage of the trunnion. Also in the same preferred form, the lubrication device is formed of a moldable material characterized by dimensional heat stability, for assuring proper operation at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint with a hollow outer part having three equally spaced longitudinal grooves, each having two opposite groove walls; an inner part with three outwardly projecting trunnions, the axes of the trunnions lying in one plane; and a roller surrounding each of the trunnions and rotating thereabout. Rings are placed around the rollers within the opposite groove walls and are slidably engaged with the rollers.

Abstract: A coupling for axially locking each reel of a cassette relative to the drive wheel of a magnetic recorder in which the drive wheel has an axial abutment against which the reel may bear. The reel is provided with a central recess having at least one rest projecting radially inward. The coupling includes a resilient locking device carried by the drive wheel and a controller slidably mounted within the drive wheel for actuating the resilient locking device between a retracted, rest position in which the reel can freely slide onto the drive wheel, and a working position in which the resilient locking device is pressed against the rest so that the reel can be axially locked against the axial abutment.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette housing is divided into a major part and a rear frame member attached to the rear end of the major part. The major part is divided into a pair of side frame members which are formed of a material of low friction coefficient and a main body surrounded and held together by the side frame members and rear frame member. The housing is of double-layer structure consisting of inside and outside layers. The inside layers are formed with steps along the edges of the side frame members and the rear frame member, and the outside layers are so formed as to fall onto the steps and extend inwardly of the edges of the side frame members. The main body and side frame members are formed with mutually engageable, temporary fasteners. The outer surface of the outside layer is satin crape finished and at least the interface between the inside and outside layers mirror finished.

Abstract: An Oldham coupling for connecting two parallel structural parts such as shafts is disclosed wherein an intermediate ring is freely movable between the hubs of the two structural parts intended for connection. The ring carries on its flat sides two lands located at 90.degree. relative to each other and the lands engage corresponding grooves in the hubs. The lands are convex at their friction surfaces and the load bearing walls of the grooves are correspondingly concave to receive the lands. An Oldham coupling of this type is particularly suitable as both a guiding and a rotation inhibiting mechanism for the revolving displacement body of a rotating piston machine of the displacer type.

Abstract: A torque variation absorbing device comprises a driving plate, a flywheel which is rotatable relative to the driving plate through a bearing element in common axis, an elastic member which is disposed in a space defined between the driving plate and the flywheel, an inner peripheral portion of the elastic member secured to either the driving plate or the flywheel, and an outer peripheral surface corresponding to an inner peripheral surface of the other, a plate secured to an outer peripheral surface of the elastic member so as to correspond to the inner peripheral surface, a plurality of rotational members which are rotatably disposed between the plate and the inner peripheral surface in the circumferential direction in such a manner that each rotational member is depressed by the elastic force of the elastic member, and a clearance which is defined between the plate and the inner peripheral surface, and narrows toward both ends of the plate from a center of the plate so as to obtain a large relative angle of

Abstract: The yoke of a driveline is formed with diametrically spaced and generally semi-cylindrical pockets for receiving the bearing caps of the cross of a universal joint. A notch is formed in each pocket and receives the shank of a pin whose head projects into overlying relation with the pocket and into engagement with the bearing cap to captivate the bearing cap axially in the pocket. The inner end portion of the yoke is formed on a spherical radius and is adapted to pilot into drive tubes of varying internal diameters.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting a rotary power source to a driven device and accommodating misalignment between the source and device. The coupling has at least two identical modular center members having a plurality of alternative circumferential positions relative to each other and which also may be positioned with either axial end toward each other. The coupling includes hub members which may also be identical to the center members.

Abstract: A tape cassette reel having an upper flange portion and a lower flange portion formed as one body with a reel hub, in which the central portion of the upper flange portion is made of an opaque resin and a peripheral portion thereof is made of a transparent resin by a dichromatic molding process and a stepped portion is formed on a bonding surface between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the upper flange portion so as to increase a bonding strength of the bonding surface.

Abstract: A transmission joint body has a plurality of bearing passageways for articulation elements distributed around the axis of the body and, each comprising two raceways arranged to cooperate with articulation elements of the transmission joint. Each raceway includes a first surface of a metal member, a second surface of which is associated with a complementary surface of the joint body and, formed in a portion of the joint body. The body is made of a composite material of a reinforced thermosetting or thermoplastic matrix. The second surface of the metal member is capable of displacement relative to the complementary surface of the joint body.

Abstract: A plunging tripod constant velocity universal joint consists of an outer joint member with a cavity having three longitudinal chambers. An inner joint member is displaced within this cavity. The inner joint member consists of a spider member and three sets of roller assemblies. The roller assemblies each have an annular inner roller, an annular outer roller and a plurality of needle rollers. The inner and outer rollers are provided with flanges which form a pocket to retain the plurality of needles without the use of snap rings.

Abstract: A short leg and coil of a torsion spring fit on a dust door polar member and a long leg having a first end connected to the coil and a second free end extends therefrom. An offset is formed between the first and second ends of the long leg and is received by a cassette cover and the free end engages a perpendicular projection formed on a dust door latch. In a second embodiment, a lower portion of the latch can flex relative to an upper portion, and a leaf spring is integrally formed to extend from the upper portion. The dust door polar member has a cam which cooperates with the leaf spring. In the first embodiment, when the latch is actuated by a pin the dust door is unlatched and rotated to the open position. When the pin is released, the long leg biases the latch back into a latched position and, simultaneously, the rest of the spring closes the door.