Abstract: A rod end has a split clamp housing which supports a bearing for transferring motion or loading forces from an actuator to another part to be loaded. An adjustable stop for the clamp is used to adjust the backlash of the bearing used with the rod end to a desired level without causing distortion. A spherical washer set is used for transferring loads between the two clamp portions. The housing for the bearing is clamped against the spherical washer set at a preselected loading so that the bearing is able to rotate and swivel as needed, but backlash is removed.

Abstract: Table couplings for coupling hydraulic actuators to large shaking tables, such as earthquake simulator tables are preloaded under gaseous pressure to permit the couplings to be nontension carrying couplings, which in turn permits use of hydrostatic slip bearings between the side surfaces and the bottom surface of the table and the actuators. The hydrostatic bearings in turn reduce the need for swivels, links and yokes that carry both tension and compression. The use of compression only loading such as that permitted with the present device, also reduces the problem of making a satisfactory table foundation, because only compression loads are carried to the foundation rather than alternating tension-compression loads.