Abstract: The propeller shaft arrangement which connects a transmission with a differential gear of a vehicle includes a first propeller shaft segment connected to the transmission at one end thereof and a second propeller shaft segment connected to the differential gear at one end thereof. The first and second propeller shaft segments are made of aluminum. The other end of the second propeller shaft segment is connected with one end of a steel center bearing via art universal joint. Serrations are formed at the other end of the center bearing and at the other end of the first propeller shaft segment such that the serrations of the center bearing are engaged with those of the first propeller shaft segment and a locking nut is screwed down over the engaging serrations to join the first propeller shaft segment with the center bearing.

Abstract: A modified jaw type shaft coupling has two opposed members arranged to allow limited flexure about a point that is the geometric center of mating spherical surfaces, a concave surface on one member and a mating convex surface on the other member. One member is attached to each shaft to be rotationally and axially coupled. The jaws on one coupling member have lugs that extend radially inward to axially entrap a larger flange attached to the other coupling member. The flange has notches to allow the flange to axially traverse the lugs. The flange is then rotated relative to the lugs to allow the flange to oppose the lugs. The flange is secured to the other coupling member after the coupling members are axially moved together to allow the jaws to interdigitate to provide rotational coupling. The convex and concave surfaces cooperate to accept axial compressive loads and the flange and lugs prevent axial separation.

Abstract: A joint movable in all directions for linkages and Cardan shafts. The joint includes only two parts of identical design made from an elastically deformable plastic, wherein the coupling members of identical design are fitted into each other at a 90.degree. angle while elastic deformation takes place.

Abstract: In semiconductor vacuum processing, it is desirable to minimize the material handling mechanisms that must be located in the evacuated process chamber. To accomplish this, a mechanism has been designed that locates the necessary power elements such as motors (12-16) outside the chamber (32). Power is transmitted to the mechanism via commercially available rotary vacuum feed-through devices (30) mounted in the chamber walls (28) and the separable, zero backlash couplings (44) located within the chamber. These couplings (44) allow easy removal and replacement of the handling mechanism without the need for physical access and tools.

Abstract: An axially toothed gear mechanism for transmitting torque and angular displacement from a driving member to a driven member which can accommodate a slight angular mismatch between the two, and which minimizes backlash and wear of the teeth.

Abstract: A hob or shaper cutter for making a hub for a misalignment gear coupling having a hub and a sleeve. The hob or shaper cutter has cutting edges. Each cutting edge being inclined at a different angle to the center line of the tooth. The cutting edges are adapted to cut tooth flank surfaces having three adjacent involute shaped areas. Each involute shaped area having a different pressure angle than the involute area adjacent it. The involute areas of each tooth result in teeth with flanks that are generally cylindrical shaped, whereby hub treeth operate with a minimum of interferfence with sleeve teeth when operating with the hub misaligned with the sleeve.

Abstract: An angle drive for a surgical power tool comprises a tool housing and first and second shafts rotatably supported end to end in the housing. The shafts have rotational axes which cross at an obtuse angle. Interengaged, opposed bevel gears are provided on the adjacent ends of the shafts for rotating of one shaft by the other. A ball is received in coaxial, frustoconical recesses in the adjacent ends of the shafts to locate one shaft with respect to the other and determine the meshing clearances between the bevel gear teeth.

Abstract: In semiconductor vacuum processing, it is desirable to minimize the material handling mechanisms that must be located in the evacuated process chamber. To accomplish this, a mechanism has been designed that locates the necessary power elements such as motors (12-16) outside the chamber (32). Power is transmitted to the mechanism via commercially available rotary vacuum feed-through devices (30) mounted in the chamber walls (28) and the separable, zero backlash couplings (44) located within the chamber. These couplings (44) allow easy removal and replacement of the handling mechanism without the need for physical access and tools.

Abstract: A universal joint comprising a pair of coupling devices each including a generally cylindrical portion having an extension at one end including a plurality of projections which are outwardly divergent and circularly spaced. Such projections of each coupling device are arranged to have their successively adjacent side surfaces formed to define therebetween spaces the bounding sides of which are divergent. In the assembled relation of the coupling devices the projections of the respective extensions thereof are relatively rotatively displaced and interfit and the projections of one thereof are respectively projected in, through and beyond the spaces defined between the bounding sides of the projections of the other of said extensions.

Abstract: A universal joint comprises a driving shaft and an angularly movable driven shaft. Each shaft comprises a cluster of axially interengaging gear teeth. Each gear tooth is semi-spherical, and each adjacent pair of gear teeth define a semi-spherical socket between them. A bearing ball is fixed to one or the other of the gear clusters, and comprises a circumferential array of part-spherical recesses adapted to receive the ends of the semi-spherical gear teeth on the shaft that does not support the bearing ball. The specially formed bearing ball and its associated gear cluster thus define a support and bearing structure that permits the gear teeth of each cluster to mesh smoothly and evenly over a range of angular movement of the movable gear of 0.degree.-90.degree.. The universal joint is provided with a slotted casing that permits the movable gear to assume this range of angular movement.

Abstract: A universal joint adapted for attachment to a socket wrench or similar device. The universal joint includes first and second bodies having adjacent convexly curved outer surfaces. Each body has a central axis, and the curved surface on each body defines a pole along the corresponding central axis. A plurality of angularly spaced teeth are provided on the curved surface of each body and extend from the pole thereon to a position along the side of the corresponding body. The teeth are adapted for meshing engagement regardless of the relative angular displacement between the central axes of the bodies. Each body defines a cavity therein and a hole extending from each cavity to the corresponding pole. A reciprocating plate is positioned in each cavity, and a flexible cable or wire interconnects the plates. Springs are positioned around the cables in the cavities for biasing the plates apart.

Abstract: A tool and workpiece arrangement for material-removing machining includes a primary holder and a replaceable secondary holder which is mounted on the primary holder, and which carries a tool or a workpiece. The primary holder is provided at its end face, which cooperates with the secondary holder, with portions which extend crosswise with respect to one another around an unprofiled central region at mutually displaced sides so as to be parallel at respective mutually opposite sides, and which have respective flanks. The corresponding end face of the replaceable secondary holder is contoured in a corresponding or complementary manner.

Abstract: An improved roller door drive assembly comprising a drum, upon which a curtain is rolled, and a gear coaxially mounted to and engaged with the drum. The means of engagement consists of a plurality of forks projecting from the gear adapted to engage drum spokes. This arrangement prevents the ends of the drum while running in a swashplate manner from dragging the gear out of alignment with its driving pinion. In so doing this engagement means prevents excessive wear.

Abstract: An overrunning sprocket for the bale pickup mechanism on a bale wagon is disclosed wherein the drive sprocket for transferring rotational power from a drive shaft to the elevating mechanism in the bale pickup is rotatably mounted on the drive shaft for rotation independently thereof. A drive lug welded to the drive sprocket is engageable with a second drive lug welded to the drive shaft to limit the rotation of the drive sprocket relative to the drive shaft and permit rotational power to be transferred from the drive shaft to the elevator. The drive sprocket is free to overrun the drive shaft by substantially one revolution to permit the elevator to be accelerated by the picking up of a bale from the ground when the ground speed of the bale wagon is greater than the speed of the elevator in the bale pickup mechanism.

Abstract: In a constant-velocity universal joint, the rotary motion to be transmitted from the driving shaft to the driven shaft through the medium of rotary members disposed between the opposed lateral contact surfaces of the adjacent yokes of the driving shaft and the driven shaft is made to act on the rotary members in the tangential direction of the pitch circle of the rotary members when the lateral contact surfaces of the adjacent yokes are formed parallel to the normal axes, thereby enabling the rotary motion to be transmitted with high efficiency without entailing any loss due to occurrence of resultant force. The retainer for holding in position the rotary members can be positively kept in the plane perpendicular to the bisector of the intersecting angle of the axes of the two shafts when the surfaces formed in the retainer for guiding the yokes are curved, thereby allowing the constancy of the angular-velocity of transmission of the rotary motion to be secured.

Abstract: A mixer having an open top mixing box accommodating a pair of lower augers and a pair of upper paddle conveyors drivably connected to the augers. A power box pivotally mounted on one end of the mixing box is drivably connected to the augers with releasable drive connections. The power box is a motor driven power transmission assembly that can be disconnected from the augers and removed from the mixing box. A movable door associated with the bottom of the mixing box is used to selectively open and close a discharge opening allowing mixed and blended material to be discharged into a conveyor.

Abstract: An improved quick release coupling assembly for a drive shaft of a downhole motor is disclosed. The quick release coupling has an internally tapered collar to cause the mating taper on the outside surfaces of the clutch dogs to be held firmly by the collar and in intimate engaging relationship between the mating tapered surfaces. The angle of the mating tapered surfaces is greater than a self-locking angle so that the quick release feature permits easy disassembly of the joint, and thus the tool, on the rig floor or as well as in the shop.