Abstract: A cold-formed ring gear is made from a relatively thin circular metal body, the outer peripheral edge of which is preformed to define a radially inwardly opening U-shaped channel in the outer surface of which the gear tooth pattern is subsequentially cold rolled using a known method and tooling. The unique preformed plate body obviates the need for a grooved interior supporting mandrel and results in a toothed rim of substantially enhanced strength and rigidity. The gear tooth pattern which is cold rolled in the preform provides tooth faces of substantially enhanced width and depth relative to the width and thickness of the base material from which they are formed. All of the other known advantages of cold formed teeth, as opposed to conventional cut teeth, are also realized.

Abstract: A telescopic power transmitting unit. The power transmitting unit includes a tubular inner member having an outer longitudinal cylindrical section connected to a universal coupling and an inner splined section which is mounted for axial sliding movement within a central member having inner and outer splines extending the full length of the central member. An outer tubular member has an outer longitudinal cylindrical section connected to a universal coupling and an inner splined section which is mounted for sliding movement with respect to the outer spline of the central member. Circumferential guide rings are mounted on the inner and outer surfaces of the central member and aid in guiding the cylindrical sections of the inner and outer members relative to the central member and serve as stops to limit extension of the inner and outer members. A floating cylindrical shield is spaced radially outward of the outer member to prevent foreign material from contacting the splined sections.