Abstract: A quick disconnect constant velocity universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members, having a hollow pintle-type inner joint member fixed to one of the rotative members, an outer member fixed to the other of the rotative members, and a plurality of roller balls received in apertures provided in the inner joint member. The roller balls engage grooves provided in the outer member. A resiliently biased plunger disposed in the hollow inner joint member has an inclined surface which engages the roller balls and displaces them radially into the grooves provided in the outer joint member. A manually displaceable plunger actuator provides for the manual displacement of the plunger disengaging the roller balls from the inclined surface and permitting the roller balls to move inwardly in a radial direction, and the separation of the inner joint member from the outer joint member.

Abstract: A sealing boot for sealing a power transmitting mechanical joint, especially a mechanical joint which is subject to angular articulation between its input shaft and output shaft. The mechanical joint has an outer race which is a part of its output shaft, and the outer race has an external spherical surface. The sealing boot has a segment which is made up of concentric inner and outer non-flexible components which surrounds a portion of the outer race, and the inner component of the two-component segment sealingly engages the external spherical sealing surface of the outer race. The two-component non-flexible segment of the boot and the outer race of the joint can be articulated relative to one another without breaking the seal therebetween.

Abstract: A method for making constant velocity joint cages involving a minimalization of offal, scrap, rework, production time and production costs. A sheet of flat metal stock is die-cut stamped or cut by laser into a circularly shaped multi-limbed member having a central circular aperture therein and truncated limb radials extending therefrom that end in a predetermined angle. The multi-limbed member is then pressed into a spherical shape, forming a half-cage member. This process is repeated to make a second half-cage member. The two half-cage members are then placed together with their radials aligned. The aligned radials form legs which thereby define windows on the cage. The half-cage members are then rotated relative to each other with the angle on each radial acting as a ramp that causes the window width to lengthen or shorten in response to rotation in a particular direction. In this way, the window width may be precisely set to specification.

Abstract: A quick disconnect constant velocity universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members, such quick disconnect univeral joint including a pintle-type inner joint member fixed to one of the rotative members and an outer member fixed to the other of the rotative members, with a plurality of roller balls received in apertures in the inner joint member, and having the roller balls engaged in grooves in the outer joint member, with a spherical portion of at least one of each of the roller balls being in contact with a spherical portion of at least one of the other roller balls in a manner whereby the roller balls provide mutual support for each other inwardly of the inner joint member towards the center of the joint. An externally actuated plunger allows the roller balls to be displaced which permits the inner joint member to be separated from the outer joint member.

Abstract: A limited slip differential employs a combined differential gear mechanism with a viscous fluid coupling. A gear connection to a first portion of a drive train causes a limited slip differential housing to rotate. A bevel gear is rotatably attached in fixed position to the interior of the housing. Differential gear sleeves are rotatably attached to either end of the housing. Each of the differential gear sleeves has a differential gear which gearingly meshes with the bevel gear and receives an axle from a second and third portion of the drive train, respectively. One of the differential gear sleeves is translatably movable relative to the housing. A fluid chamber within the housing contains a high viscosity fluid as well as a set of annular plates attached to the housing and a set of annular plates attached to the differential gear sleeve which is translatably movable. The sets of annular plates are in interleaved relation to each other.

Abstract: A method for making constant velocity joint cages involving a minimalization of offal, scrap, rework, production time and production costs. A sheet of flat metal stock is die-cut stamped or cut by laser into a circularly shaped multi-limbed member having a central circular aperture therein and truncated limb radials extending therefrom that end in a predetermined angle. The multi-limbed member is then pressed into a spherical shape, forming a half-cage member. This process is repeated to make a second half-cage member. The two half-cage members are then placed together with their radials aligned. The aligned radials form legs which thereby define windows on the cage. The half-cage members are then rotated relative to each other with the angle on each radial acting as a ramp that causes the window width to lengthen or shorten in response to rotation in a particular direction. In this way, the window width may be precisely set to specification.

Abstract: A nonmetallic boot restraint for restraining and shrouding the flexible boot of an automotive propshaft constant velocity universal joint of the plunging type. The boot restraint is preferably formed from a puncture-resistant, semi-rigid organic material, such as Nylon (polyamide), and it can be repeatedly assembled to and disassembled from the drive joint without damage to either the boot restraint or the associated boot. An end of the boot restraint traps an end of the boot in sealing engagement with the outside surface of the outer joint member of the drive joint, and a removable clamp maintains this relationship between the outer joint member, the boot, and the boot restraint.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members, such universal joint including a pintle-type inner joint member fixed to one of the rotative members and an outer member fixed to the other of the rotative members, with a plurality of roller balls received in apertures in the inner joint member, and having the roller balls engaged in grooves in the outer joint member, with a spherical portion of at least one of each of the roller balls being in contact with a spherical portion of at least one of the other roller balls in a manner whereby the roller balls provide mutual support for each other inwardly of the inner joint member towards the center of the joint. A quick disconnect version of the invention is also shown.

Abstract: A sealing boot for sealing a power transmitting mechanical joint of the plunging type, especially a mechanical joint which is subject to angular articulation between its input member and output member. The mechanical joint has an outer member, and the outer member has an external cylindrical surface. The sealing boot has a semi-rigid or non-flexible segment which surrounds a portion of the cylindrical surface and this non-flexible segment has a cylindrical slot that sealingly and slidingly receives the cylindrical end portion of a second boot segment, which is also of semi-rigid or non-flexible character. The sliding action of the second boot segment in the first boot segment results from the plunging action of the joint. The second boot segment also has a slot at its other end and this slot slidingly and sealingly receives an end portion of a third boot segment. The third boot segment, in turn, seals to a member of the mechanical joint.

Abstract: A universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members including an inner joint member for connection to one of the rotative members and an outer joint member for connection to the inner joint member and to the other of the rotative members. The inner joint member swivels within the outer joint member by virtue of contacting inner and outer spherical surface portions on the outer and inner joint members, respectively. Torque is transmitted between the inner and outer joint members by a plurality of roller balls which extend between a recess in the inner joint member and a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart rectilinear recesses in the outer joint member which are disposed between the spherical inner surface portions on the outer joint member.

Abstract: A sealing boot for sealing a power transmitting mechanical joint, especially a mechanical joint which is subject to angular articulation between its input shaft and output shaft. The mechanical joint has an outer race which is a part of its output shaft, and the outer race has an external spherical surface. The sealing boot has a non-flexible portion which surrounds a portion of the outer race, and this non-flexible portion has a spherical inner surface which sealingly engages the external spherical sealing surface of the outer race in surface-to-surface contact. The non-flexible portion of the boot and the outer race of the joint can be articulated relative to one another without breaking the seal therebetween. In the preferred embodiment the remainder of the boot constitutes a non-pleated non-flexible second boot segment, one end of which is received in a spherical slot of the first non-flexible portion and the other end of which sealingly engages the input shaft of the mechanical joint.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension system having at least two indispensable suspension members, the first of which includes two couplings one of which is a constant velocity universal joint connected by a drive shaft to the other coupling, the balls of the constant velocity universal joint carrying driving torque and the inner and outer members of the constant velocity universal joint carrying thrust loads generated externally of the constant velocity universal joint, both indispensable suspension members swinging about the articulation axis of the constant velocity universal joint about a swing axis therethrough and a pivot supporting the second indispensable suspension member from the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A method for forming a precision ball groove track in a part, especially in an outer race member of a universal joint. The method includes the steps of forming a recess groove in the ball race groove track and ball finish machining the race groove track to a predetermined precision shape, the recess reducing groove the wear on the finish machining tool used during the finish machining step.

Abstract: A constant velocity torque transmitting universal joint, utilizing spherical ball members arranged in a longitudinal groove of an inner joint member, is adapted to connect to a shaft and a longitudinal groove of an outer joint member. The outer joint member is connected to a second shaft so that the outer joint member may be displaced in an axial direction relative to the inner joint member. Therefore, the inner joint member may be displaced in an axial direction relative to the cage restraining member holding the spherical ball members in their mutually opposed grooves of their respective joint members. The cage restraining member permits the spherical ball members to roll in their respective grooves for a short distance prior to skidding to reduce the overall resistance to axial movement effort prior to skidding as a result of the friction torque relationship of the joint.

Abstract: A constant velocity torque transmitting universal joint, utilizing spherical ball members arranged in a longitudinal groove of an inner joint member, is adapted to connect to a shaft and a longitudinal groove of an outer joint member. The outer joint member is connected to a second shaft so that the outer joint member may be displaced in an axial direction relative to the inner joint member. Therefore, the inner joint member may be displaced in an axial direction relative to the cage restraining member holding the spherical ball members in their mutually opposed grooves of their respective joint members. The cage restraining member permits the spherical ball members to roll in their respective grooves for a short distance prior to skidding to reduce the overall resistance to axial movement effort prior to skidding as a result of the friction torque relationship of the joint.

Abstract: A method for forming a precision ball groove track in a part, especially in an outer race member of a universal joint. The method includes the steps of forming a recess groove in the ball race groove track and .[.ball.]. finish machining the .Iadd.ball .Iaddend.race groove track to a predetermined precision shape, the recess .[.reducing groove.]. .Iadd.groove reducing .Iaddend.the wear on the finish machining tool used during the finish machining step.