Abstract: A ball spline joint interconnecting an inner shaft and an outer shaft in mutually loose-fitted relation as allowing the shafts to integrally rotate and relatively move from each other in an axial direction. Raceway grooves are respectively formed in the inner shaft and the outer shaft in face-to-face relation and are extended in the axial direction. A plurality of balls are interposed between the corresponding raceway grooves of the inner shaft and the outer shaft, forming an array along the axial direction. A resilient member biases an array-end ball in an angled direction relative to the axial direction.

Abstract: An elastic shaft joint includes: a tube shaft; a shaft coaxially inserted in the tube shaft so that a predetermined axial region of the shaft overlaps with a predetermined axial region of the tube shaft; and a damper inserted between the predetermined axial region of the shaft and the predetermined axial region of the tube shaft for damping vibration and providing an elastic play in a rotation direction.

Abstract: An expansion shaft includes a first and a second shaft section aligned on the same axis. The second shaft section is inserted in a fit hole of the first shaft section while both the shaft sections are interconnected via a spline or serration. A resilient member is provided which possesses a single snap ring of C-shape fitted on a thin shaft portion of the second shaft section. An arm is axially extended from the snap ring. The arm resiliently presses against an inner circumferential surface of the fit hole for preventing the shaft sections from radially vibrating relative to each other.

Abstract: A power transmission shaft in a steering unit shortens in an axial direction when an impact load, over a specified impact load, is applied thereto, and thereby absorbs impact. The power transmission shaft includes a hollow shaft having a female serration on the inner circumference thereof. An insertion shaft has a male serration on the outer circumference thereof that engages with the female serration of the hollow shaft when inserted into the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft and the insertion shaft are connected with each other so that they can transmit power in the circumferential direction, yet they are displaceable in the axial direction . An inward depressed portion is formed on the hollow shaft to establish the impact absorption of the power transmission shaft. A concave portion, formed on the insertion shaft aids in the uniform formation of the depressed portion and thereby simplifies the assembly process.

Abstract: An elastic shaft coupling comprises a tubular housing having a first inner peripheral surface portion and a second inner peripheral surface portion, a shaft member extending into the tubular housing, an elastic member disposed between the tubular housing and the shaft member, and a displacement preventing portion for preventing excessive relative rotational displacement between the tubular housing and the shaft member. The shaft member has a terminal end disposed in the tubular housing, a first outer peripheral surface portion, and a second outer peripheral surface portion disposed at the terminal end. The elastic member is connected to the first inner peripheral surface portion of the tubular housing and the first outer peripheral surface portion of the shaft member. The displacement preventing portion is disposed between the second inner peripheral surface portion of the tubular housing and the second outer peripheral surface portion of the shaft member.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a novel porous sintered material according to an HIP (Hot Isostatic Press) molding technique usually used for the purpose of obtaining defect-free and highly dense powder products. In the method of the invention, a capsule containing a starting powder in a hermetically sealed condition is heated according to a predetermined temperature pattern and is also subjected to hot isostatic pressing while a pressure is arrived at a maximum pressure level substantially in coincidence with commencement of a sintering temperature-applying period in the temperature pattern and is gradually lowered from the maximum pressure level during the sintering temperature-applying period. By the method, excessive densification is suppressed and the resulting sintered material has a required porosity and is provided with pores open to outside in the inside thereof, along with good strength and surface processability.

Abstract: Disclosed is herein a process for producing a molding product of Al or Cu composite material, which comprises admixing a functional material capable of improving the desired property of the composite material by dispersion into a matrix to a powder of metal selected from Al, Cu or alloys thereof constituting the matrix, charging the dust directly into a molding die, applying cold dust core molding under the pressure of greater than 5 t/cm.sup.2 of facial pressure and applying a diffusing treatment at a temperature higher than 300.degree. C.