Abstract: A ball spline assembly in which a sleeve is coupled for rotation with and axial movement relative to a shaft by angularly spaced rows of balls which travel in grooved raceways formed in the sleeve and the shaft. A circumferentially extending groove is formed around the shaft near the ends of the raceways therein in order to remove runout from the raceways and thereby prevent the raceways from forcing the balls radially outwardly and locking up the assembly when the shaft is in an extreme axial position relative to the sleeve.

Abstract: A universal joint includes an inside part provided integrally with a first shaft and having three first holding portions disposed spacedly apart circumferentially at equal intervals, an outside part provided integrally with a second shaft and having three second holding portions, each second holding portion having a recess extending axially to receive the first holding portion and a rolling body disposed in each recess so as to be in contact with the first and second holding portions. One of the first and second holding portions in contact with the rolling body has a concave surface while the other of the first and second holding portions in contact with the rolling body has a plane.

Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint comprising an outer joint member (1), an inner joint member (2), a cage (8), and a plurality of torque-transmitting balls (7) engaged in grooves (4, 6) of the outer and inner joint members for transmitting torque therebetween. The grooves in the outer joint member are of non-undercut configuration considered from an end (13) of the outer joint member, as also is the internal surface of the outer joint member between the grooves thereof. Adjacent the end (13) of the outer joint member the inner surface of the cage is also of non-undercut configuration. The joint members and cage have engaging part-spherical surface portions which are held in engagement by a support surface (14) provided in association with a closure member (15) closing the outer joint member at its end (13), the support surface (14) engaging a part-spherical surface (5) at the end of the inner joint member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power transmission of a turning-track track-laying vehicle. The track-laying vehicle comprises such a closed-loop type track belt (10) arranged between end rolls or similar (11, 12) in such a way that one edge of the track belt can be stretched and the other edge of the track belt contracted in order to make the vehicle execute a turn. The vehicle comprises a motor (26), a traction sprocket or sprockets (30), and power transmission equipment between the traction sprocket or sprockets (30) and the motor (26). The drive sprocket or sprockets (30) are positioned above the top run of the track belt (10), preferably sideways in its middle range. In the traction sprocket or sprockets (30) there are drive cogs (32) or similar, which drive cogs (32) are in driving contact with the openings (40), grooves or similar of the track belt, so that the traction force can be transmitted from the traction sprocket or sprockets (30) to the track belt (10).

Abstract: Torque transmitting telescopic apparatus comprising a shaft (1) and a sleeve (2) axially displacable relative to each other and interconnected for rotation in common to transmit torque, in which the sleeve has a polygonal bore cross-section and the shaft has a corresponding polygonal cross-section. The bore and shaft cross-sections are respectively defined by pairs of cooperating surfaces. One surface in each of the pairs has at least three sections including a central section defining a groove (4), narrower than the other cooperating surface of the pair, and outer sections (5,6). A rolling element assembly disposed within each groove (4) is restrained against axial movement relative to at least one of the members comprising the shaft and the sleeve and includes a bed, a plurality of rolling elements and a plate spring. The rolling element assemblies couple the shaft and sleeve for play-free axial translation and torque transmission.

Abstract: A tripod element (18) trasmits by its arms (31) circumferential forces (F) to a female member--or bowl--through cups (20) and rolling needles. On the unloaded side of each arm, a clearance is produced between the arm and the corresponding support surface (24) of the bowl. Springs (16) act on the cups (20, 21) in such manner that this clearance is established between the complementary spherical surfaces of the arm and cup. The reserve of oil which is created therein will act as a shock absorber or damper in the case of reversal of the direction of the torque (C). Use in the elimination of shocks created by the reversal of the load on the joint.

Abstract: A slide-type constant velocity universal joint has an inner shaft member having trunnions rotatably and axially slidably carrying rollers respectively received in axial guide grooves formed in an outer shaft member. Each guide groove accommodates a pair of inner groove members each axially slidably disposed between one of the side faces of the guide groove and an associated roller and providing a cylindrical inner groove in line contact with a spherical outer surface of the roller. A roller bearing or a low-friction layer is disposed between each inner groove member and an associated side face of an associated guide groove. In another embodiment, a single inner groove member is disposed in each guide groove and has a pair of side wall portions each disposed between a roller and an associated side face of the guide groove.

Abstract: A homokinetic joint including a first element (1,2) extending along a first axis and carrying three radial arms (3) evenly angularly spaced apart and defining spherical bearing surfaces (4), a second element (10) having a second axis intersecting the first axis and capable of making an angle therewith, the second element defining three pairs of raceways (9), intermediate elements (5) disposed between the spherical bearing surfaces and the raceways, rolling members (8) being interposed between the intermediate elements (5) and the adjacent raceways (9). The raceways (9) provided on the second element (10) are formed by cylindrical surfaces having a roughly circular cross-section and generatrices parallel to the axis of the second element, the rolling members being balls (8).

Abstract: An axial cam structure is formed with outer and inner concentric shaft portions which are rotationally and axially movable relative to one another and which have formed at their interface sets of radially adjacent V-shaped camming cavities pointed in opposite axial directions with a camming ball disposed in each of the sets of cavities. The camming ball bears on the side walls of the cavity in the outer and, at its opposite side, the side walls of the respective cavity of the inner shaft portion so that any torque transmitted between the inner and outer shaft portions through the camming ball provides for corresponding oppositely directed axial forces on the inner and outer shaft portions.

Abstract: A sliding transmission joint intended for motor vehicles, which includes a tripod (1) locked in rotation with a driving shaft (2) and provided with three radial arms (3) capable of sliding axially on flat rolling tracks (22) provided inside a drum (5). The drum 5 is locked in rotation with a driven shaft, rows of needle rollers (7) are arranged between the arms (3) and the rolling tracks (22), and also cages (14) are provided for holding the rows of needle rollers (7). The cages (14) having projecting members (16) which are used for attaching the cages (14) to the drum (5) and which are accommodated in corresponding recesses (15) formed in the drum. The arrangement of the projecting members 16 and recesses 15 ensures that the cage (14) is guided perfectly as far as the end of the extension of the driving shaft (2), and reduces the weight of the joint by eliminating projecting parts (28) between two internal adjacent shoulders of the rolling tracks.

Abstract: A telescoping torque transmitting shaft comprising a shaft having at least three longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced guide grooves and a sleeve axially slidably surrounding the shaft and having an inner counter groove opposite each guide groove. Torque is transmitted between the shaft and the sleeve by a row of balls for each guide groove, each ball being partially received in its guide groove and partially received in the counter groove opposite its guide groove. At least certain of the balls in one row are of resilient elastic material; all others are substantially harder. Bias imposed upon the shaft by the resilient balls, urging the shaft in one lateral direction relative to the sleeve, maintains every ball in torque transmitting contact with both the shaft and the sleeve, while the harder balls in the other rows, by such contact, maintain the elastic balls compressed for exerting such bias.

Abstract: A joint including a spider element (2) whose four branches each define a pair of raceways (4), a barrel (11) on the exterior of which are pivotally mounted jaws (13) each defining two spherical concave bearing surfaces (18), and intermediate elements (21) of planar-convex shape, disposed between the raceways and the spherical bearing surfaces. Needles (23) maintained by cages (24) are interposed between the intermediate elements and the raceways. Such a joint provides great freedom of axial sliding, even at high operating speed.

Abstract: A tripod type homokinetic universal joint which comprises an outer member, a tripod member, and bearing assemblies interposed between the outer member and the tripod member. Each bearing assembly has a plurality of rows of rollers adapted to roll on rolling guide surfaces on track grooves formed in the inner wall of the outer member. The rolling guide surface is defined by side faces of the track groove and near-corner portions of the base of the track groove. The side faces are so oblique that the track groove will be narrowed toward its inlet. Whereby the rollers cannot get off the rolling guide surface even if no shoulders are formed on the side faces of the track groove.

Abstract: There is provided between a needle plate (9, 10) and a slide (6) which is interposed between a trunnion and a track a return spring (14) formed by a wire of resilient metal having at least one coil (C) which surrounds the slide and two end portions (14b) of the wire which are hooked to the needle plate. This spring operates under bending and compressive stress in its mean plane.

Abstract: A row arrangement of needles (17) maintained in a plate (18) is interposed between a raceway (13) and a slide or bush (14) which itself cooperates with a trunnion (11). The needles have a diameter which progressively increases from the center of the row to the end needles so as to achieve a self-centering of the plate.

Abstract: A collapsible steering shaft assembly incorporating a slide with deforming balls that roll tracks in telescopic shaft members so that the shafts are positively interconnected in a rotational sense and which roll in said tracks to permit relative sliding of said shaft on application of low axial load.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to achieve a reduced cost, great lightness and possibility of mass-production of the coupling while of course retaining the qualities of a very free sliding, reliability and long life. Such qualities should in particular permit an application of the coupling in the automobile industry. The coupling is of the type comprising a cylindrical tubular sleeve which has generatrices parallel to the direction of sliding and which is intended to be fixed to one of two elements to be coupled. The sleeve defines at least two runways for at least two rollers rotatively mounted on trunnions rigid with a rod which is intended to be fixed to the other of the elements to be coupled. At the end of the sleeve opposed to the end fixed to the element to be coupled, there is provided a cover which is fixed to the sleeve by an elastically yieldable fastener.

Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly consisting of a shaft mounted in the housing and a plurality of rolling elements arranged in rows in the annular space between the shaft and the housing. The shaft has a series of axially extending grooves defining elongated inner raceways for the rolling elements. The assembly further includes a bearing race plate for each of the rows of rolling elements having an elongated raceway groove formed therein defining the outer raceway for the rolling elements. Each of the race plates has a layer of a plastically deformable material on the outer surface opposite the raceway and a series of screws mounted in the housing having a cupped point engageable with the deformable material to fix each of the bearing race plates in an axial and peripheral direction to thereby facilitate torque transmission from the shaft to the housing in either direction of rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A drive assembly for the wheel of a motor vehicle having an independent wheel suspension wherein the wheel is connected to a drive source by means of a pair of universal joints connected between the drive source and the wheel transmitting torque therebetween with at least one of the universal joints being of the axially displaceable type. A damping mechanism or shock absorber device is interposed together with the universal joints between the wheel and the drive means and the shock absorber device may comprise either or both of a fluid damping mechanism or a spring damping mechanism.

Abstract: A track guide linear motion bearing device comprises an outer sleeve, a square elongated guide bar, a retainer, a number of balls, and end caps. The outer sleeve has three no-load ball guide grooves formed in the axial inner surface thereof having a substantially C-shaped cross-section and two ball rolling grooves formed between the no-load ball guide grooves. The grooves extend over the entire axial length of the outer sleeve. The guide bar is provided, in both upper corner portions thereof, with axially extending ball guide grooves corresponding to the ball rolling grooves of the outer sleeve. The retainer is loosely fitted between the guide bar and the outer sleeve and is formed in the outer surface thereof with a plurality of outwardly opening endless track grooves each comprising a load side groove, a no-load side groove and a U-turn groove.

Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly including three telescopically arranged shafts is formed with an interlocking ball device which releasably axially locks the shaft members together. The ball device may include one or more balls which are movable radially of an intermediate shaft member, with the balls locking the intermediate shaft member with an inner shaft member when the balls are in a radially inward position and releasing said axial interlocking when the balls are permitted to move to a radially outward position by engagement within a recess of the outer of the three shaft members. The inner shaft member is formed with a conically shaped attachment member which operates to tend to urge the ball into the recess to release axial interengagement between the inner and intermediate shaft member and to permit the ball to move along the conical surface thereof back to its radially inward position when said locking engagement is to be re-established.

Abstract: A hammer drill has a chuck forming a tool receptacle defining a chuck axis and provided with a tool-holding element radially displaceable into a position protruding into the tool receptacle. The tool has a shank defining a tool axis receivable axially in the receptacle. This shank is formed with a radially outwardly opening recess closed at both axial ends and shaped to receive the tool-holding element, and with an axially extending groove separate from the recess and opening axially at the end of the shank. This groove has at least one flank extending substantially radially of the tool axis. A rotary-entrainment formation in the receptacle is formed with at least one side flatly engageable with the flank for maximum force transmission and minimum wear.