Abstract: An endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention includes: an operation lever portion that is provided in an operation portion, includes an operation shaft, and is capable of adjusting a bending angle of a bending portion in conjunction with a tilting operation; and an exterior cover that is water-tightly fixed to the operation portion so as to cover an outer periphery of the operation shaft, and is formed in a stair shape in cross section, including a hardly deformed region and an easily deformed region that is formed at a predetermined angle with respect to the hardly deformed region.

Abstract: The present invention is a weighted gearshift knob for mounting to the gearshift shaft of a motor vehicle. The weighted gearshift knob comprises of a cylindrical exterior body with a hollow cylindrical interior for housing a cylindrical counter weight, which weight is secured by a removable screw, and said screw is covered by a cap. The weighted gearshift knob is designed to allow for the addition or removal of the counter weight as desired by a driver in order to achieve optimal performance. This design allows the gearshift knob and its components to be housed in one apparatus, requiring minimal assembly and/or disassembly for mounting or removal from the gearshift shaft.

Abstract: A barrier assembly for a motor vehicle having a shift lever and a kit for assembling the barrier assembly are disclosed. The barrier assembly has a retainer, a lever plate, seals and spacers. The retainer has a retainer aperture extending from a first surface to a second surface. The lever plate is moveable and has a lever opening extending from a first face to a second face. A gliding surface allows the lever plate to move in a planar motion parallel to the retainer while supported on the retainer. A first seal is located on the first face of the lever plate proximal to the lever opening. A second seal is located on the first face of the lever plate distal to the lever opening. Spacers project from the retainer distal to the retainer aperture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a windshield wiper drive (1), particularly a motor vehicle rear window wiper drive, comprising a housing (2) having an output dome (3) penetrated by a wiper shaft (5) and penetrating a contact disk (15), said dome having an external thread (19) in the region of the free end (18) thereof, onto which a nut (20) is screwed for tightening the contact disk (15), the nut being disposed inside a protective cap (21) penetrated by the wiper shaft (15). The invention provides that the protective cap (21) comprises an elastomer material. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A hitch pin and hitch cable assembly comprising a hitch pin for a tow hitch ball mount with one end of a hitch cable securely attached to the pin; the other end of the hitch cable removably attached to the pin between the ends of the pin; the pin having a lock to lock the pin in a tow hitch ball mount and to lock the second end of the hitch cable on the pin.

Abstract: In an engine having a rocker member adapted to rock about an axis intermediate the rocker member and a pushrod extending from a lower body to an upper body and engaging an end of the rocker member, a gasket for sealing the lower body to the upper body is provided. The gasket includes a sealing portion adapted to substantially seal at least a portion of the upper body to the lower body, and a pushrod support portion extending outwardly from the sealing portion adapted to engage the pushrod. At least a portion of the pushrod support portion engaging the pushrod is constructed from a material that is softer than the material of the pushrod.

Abstract: A flexible gap covering between an adjustable steering column of a motor vehicle and an instrument panel, on one side, is fastened to the steering column covering and, on the other side, is fastened to the instrument panel. A flexible gap covering which permits a large adjusting range of the steering column, is easy to mount and has a corresponding appearance, has an upper covering and a lower covering. The upper covering is formed of two parts, which are arranged above one another and are fixedly connected with one another in a joint overlapping area. At least one tensioning element is applied to the overlapping area on the side facing away from the vehicle occupant compartment.

Abstract: A contamination resistant probe attachment device attaches over an opening in a top cover of a disc drive to couple a testing probe to the interior of the disc drive. The attachment device has a base for surrounding and attaching around the opening in the top cover in the disc drive and a centrally located aperture for communicating with an upwardly extending flexible tube. The flexible tube having a first and second end, the first end attaching to the base and a second end defining an engagement opening throughwhich a disc drive testing probe is inserted.

Abstract: A control lever for a control console of a work vehicle comprises an arm and a knob. One end of the arm is coupled to the control valve linkage for positioning the control valve. The other end of the arm is mounted to the knob. The knob is provided with a cylindrical shaft having a first groove and a second groove. The first and second grooves adjoin one another. The first groove is deeper than the second groove. A rubber boot extends between the knob and the control console. The rubber boot has a circular control lever opening through which the control lever extends. The circular control lever opening is provided with an inwardly extending flange. The inwardly extending flange is received in the first groove. A downwardly extending foot extends from the inwardly extending flange and is received in the second groove. The inwardly extending flange and the foot are separated from one another by a step that corresponds to the radial differences between the first and second grooves.

Abstract: A Stirling refrigerator, which prevents oil rising, makes oil seal bellows have long-life, and includes a housing, cylinder, piston, piston rod and an oil seal bellows. The oil seal bellows seals a space between the housing and the cylinder, wherein a tip end of the oil seal bellows is sealed and fixed on the piston or on the piston rod inside the cylinder, and a base end of the oil seal bellows is installed on the housing. The oil seal bellows reciprocates with a stroke, wherein the tip end of the oil seal bellows is compressed to a compression side from a position of free length then returns to the position of free length.

Abstract: A shift lever boot includes a top face having a shift lever hole face and including a plurality of crests and a plurality of valleys, and a bellow-like skirt continuously connected to edges of the top face. All ridgelines of the crests and the valleys are parallel with respect to the cross direction of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: The drive part for converting the revolution movement to the wobble movement is composed of the shaft for transmitting the drive force from outside, the swash plate rotated by the shaft and the wobble plate for converting the revolution movement of the swash plate to the wobble movement. Plural pistons are reciprocated in responsive to the wobble movement of the wobble plate. The crank room containing the swash plate, the wobble plate and the piston is separated into the fuel room and the drive room by the bellows. The bearings for transmitting the drive force between the shaft in the drive room and the swash plate, and the bearing for transmitting the drive force between the swash plate and the wobble plate are placed inside the drive room in order to lubricate the bearings. By arranging plural pistons inside the fuel room, the fuel is forced to be taken in and discharged by the reciprocate movement of the individual pistons.

Abstract: A multiaxial robot with a frame and a structure with at least one robot arm having a robot hand is proposed, more particularly for use in the food sector. The robot has an envelope surrounding it in a substantially gas and liquid-tight manner and which has a flexible construction at least on a section facing the robot hand, whilst at least partly exposing a tool and sealingly engages on the transition area between the robot hand and the tool. According to a preferred construction, the envelope is constructed in the manner of a cabin receiving at least the robot frame and provided with at least one passage for the robot arm, the passage being connected about its circumference with a flexible membrane tightly engaging on the robot hand.

Abstract: A noise insulation arrangement reduces transmission of noise through an opening of a partition having a margin with a perimeter defining the opening. A shift lever assembly extends through the opening. This arrangement uses a noise insulator including a first noise barrier portion disposed in the opening adjacent to the perimeter of the partition and a first resilient portion extending between the first noise barrier and the shift lever assembly. A insulator cover is connected between the shift lever of the shift lever assembly and the margin of the partition. The cover includes a second noise barrier portion disposed adjacent to the perimeter and a second flexible portion. The second resilient portion is in the form of a bellows extending over the first resilient portion of the noise insulator.

Abstract: An improved connection coupling for providing rotary motion from an electric motor rotor to a load wherein a mechanical coupling element is attached to an end of the rotor and to the shaft of the load. The free end of the rotor includes a cavity which extends axially from the end surface of the rotor inward to allow for insertion of a portion of the mechanical coupling element in the cavity. The walls of the cavity do not contact the portion of the mechanical coupling element to allow this mechanical coupling element to move freely in the rotation direction.

Abstract: A noise insulation arrangement reduces transmission of noise through an opening of a partition having a margin with a perimeter defining the opening. A shift lever assembly extends through the opening. This arrangement uses a noise insulator including a first noise barrier portion disposed in the opening adjacent to the perimeter of the partition and a first resilient portion extending between the first noise barrier and the shift lever assembly. A insulator cover is connected between the shift lever of the shift lever assembly and the margin of the partition. The cover includes a second noise barrier portion disposed adjacent to the perimeter and a second flexible portion. The second resilient portion is in the form of a bellows extending over the first resilient portion of the noise insulator.

Abstract: A sealing structure for an automatic transmission shift control device comprises a boot interposed between a vehicle floor and a support member, which is a single piece resinous molding, of the transmission shift control device for providing a seal therebetween, and having on the lower side thereof a first seal projection in contact with the vehicle floor. A looped groove of a trapezoidal cross section is formed on the bottom of the support member. A second looped seal projection of a trapezoidal cross section and fittingly engageable in the groove in the boot is formed in the boot on the upper side of the boot. The first seal projection and the second seal projection are similar in loop shape and are located correspondingly on opposite sides of the boot.

Abstract: A composite fabric structure comprising a plurality of warp and fill fibers or yarns forming a fabric substrate which is impregnated with a matrix material which contains a plurality of cells which impart compressibility to the fabric substrate. This fabric may be used, for example, in a composite structure for use with one or more additional layers or coatings. Articles which may be formed from the composite structure include gaskets, packing materials, flexible diaphragms or printing blankets. In the printing blankets, one or more of a vulcanized rubber layer, a fabric layer and a compressible layer may be included.

Abstract: A hand brake lever in a vehicle includes a stationary support mounted in a passenger compartment of the vehicle and having a mounting slot. A sound insulating material covers at least a portion of the stationary support, the sound insulating material defining a sealing surface surrounding the mounting slot. A brake lever member having a handle is pivotally mounted to the stationary support such that the handle extends through the mounting slot and into the passenger compartment. A lever base is mounted to the brake lever member and extends so as to cover an area above the sealing surface. The lever base has an elastic peripheral edge positioned so as to come into support contact with the sealing surface to seal the mounting slot when the brake lever member is pivoted to a brake release position. The sealing surface may be flexible and have a rectangular shape.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the space or gap between a rigid, spherical boot and the periphery of an opening in a console trim plate through which the shift lever of the shifting mechanism extends. The mechanism provides both radial adjustment for providing a uniform gap and also allows for the assembly to be easily adjusted up or down with respect to the opening in the console trim plate.

Abstract: A mechanism for feedthrough of rotary motion to a sealed chamber includes a shaft (220) rotatingly supported inside a hollow housing (200). The shaft (220) comprises a front portion (222), a middle portion (224), and a rear portion (226). The front portion (222) of the shaft protrudes into a sealed external vacuum chamber (202), which is attached to the housing (200). The rear portion (226) of the shaft (220) is eccentric with respect to the rotational axis of the shaft. A cylindrical end (244) of the shaft rotatingly supports a cap (252), which is coaxial with the shaft end (244). The housing (200) and the cap (252) are sealingly and movably connected by a bellows (246). A compensator (250), eccentric with respect to the cap (252) is rotatingly mounted at the periphery of the cap and is fitted into a cavity within an eccentric driver (248), the rotational axis of which is concentric with that of the shaft ( 220).

Abstract: Rapid-assembly sealing bellows for protecting jointed couplings such as transmissions, guiding and steering joints, in particular so-called cardan or universal joints of motor vehicles, said bellows being essentially a corrugated tubular body (with entry and exit sleeves) from a material of adequate flexibility, comprising at least one jointing closure formed by lateral interlocking of the near divided edges running in the longitudinal direction from entry to exit of said tubular body, each of said edges forming respectively a U-shaped interlock housing and an interlocking tongue for being received in the housing, characterized in that the open end of the interlock housing comprises an upper covering leg which is inclined in the upward direction and a supporting sole forming a lower covering surface which greatly extends beyond the upper surface and which is inclined in the downward direction, and in that the interlocking tongue, which is closely received into the U-shaped housing by the matching interior sur

Abstract: A sealed transmission device for controlling a valve including a casing containing a transfer member coupled to a control shaft and to a receiver shaft. A bellows surrounds the receiver shaft and is fixed and sealed at its upper end to the transfer member and is fixed and sealed at its lower end to the casing. The transfer member is operably connected to a tilting member, which tilting member is adapted to protect the bellows from the effects of torsion due to rotation of the control shaft.

Abstract: A flexible protective bellows for enclosing a universal joint of a vehicle transmission is designed so that alternate folds are of different shape from the intervening ones. This reduces wear between the peaks of adjacent folds when the bellows is compressed. The troughs are formed with loops to reduce wear when the bellows is stretched. Various means for securing the bellows in its fixing groove in the housing of the universal joint are also disclosed as are means for incorporating a toothed ring for use in speed measurement for the vehicle's ABS system.

Abstract: A drive axle joint seal sock for extending the operation of the joint seal and protecting the joint seal against high heat conditions. The sock comprises an elongate cylindrical housing having an aperture at each end and formed of a heat-resistant material. Clamping structure, such as adjustable clamping rings, extend about each aperture and clamp the sock about the drive axle shaft and the joint, respectively. The sock housing comprises an expanded central area of uniform profile to facilitate movement of the joint seal within the sock. The sock encloses the joint seal and protects the seal against exposure to heat from the engine, exhaust system or atmosphere.

Abstract: The variable speed drive comprises a driving shaft and a driven shaft coupled by a friction disk assembly, and is accommodated by a fixed case affording passage and support to the driven shaft, and a cover, adjustable for position in relation to the fixed case and affording passage and support to the driving shaft; the gap between the adjustable cover and the case is bridged by an impermeable boot-type seal anchored at its inner and outer edges in a fluid-tight fit to the cover and the case, respectively, and capable of flexing at least radially in relation to the two shafts. The cover incorporates a boss extending through the open center of the boot seal into the case and engaging with rods by which movement of the cover is guided, and to advantage, the seal is pleated with looped corrugations spreading out around the boss.

Abstract: A system including apparatus and method for retrofitting and controlling the temperature of a water heater. The system allows manual adjustment of a thermostat control setscrew from a location exterior of the water heater housing and includes a tool maintained in engagement with the setscrew by a flexible cover plate within which the tool is rotatably mounted and which continually urges the tool toward the setscrew.

Abstract: An auxiliary flexible vacuum seal for preparing a reactor coolant pump for vacuum degasification of the reactor coolant system employs a flexible boot member having a pair of longitudinally-displaced opposite open end portions and a pair of side-by-side longitudinally-extending side portions in the form of flanges defining a split in the boot member along a side thereof and extending between the open end portions for allowing flexing of the boot member between open and closed side configurations to permit its installation and removal on and from the pump. The seal also employs clamping brackets and fasteners for releasably and sealably clamping together the flanges of the boot member at the split to retain the boot member in its closed configuration.

Abstract: A sealed cable control system having an integral, internal air transfer system constructed and arranged to provide a continuous passage comprising a series of integral, internal unrestricted passages within and through the control system to maintain a relatively uniform pressure within the boots and conduit and within the cable control system as the end members of the cable control system reciprocate. An air transfer system which includes air transfer fittings sealed to a tube therebetween to allow an efficient transfer of air within the system, thereby permitting the maintenance of a closed constant volume, constant pressure environment.

Abstract: A molded joint boot obtained by using a highly hard and highly elastic thermoplastic polyester elastomer as the molding material. The molded boot is formed into the shape of a conical bellows having a major-diameter portion connected to a minor-diameter portion by a tapered wave-like portion. Along the direction from the major-diameter portion to the minor-diameter portion, the ratio of the outside diameter of the crest portion on the minor-diameter side of a given wave to the outside diameter of the immediately-preceding trough portion of the same wave is confined within the range of about 1.08 to about 1.40. The subject molded boot is processed by injection molding, and the thermoplastic polyester elastomer employed as the molding material is above about 70 kg/cm.sup.2 in tensile yield strength, above about 30% in tensile yield elongation, and within the range of about 430 kg/cm.sup.2 to about 1700 kg/cm.sup.2 in tensile elasticity modulus.

Abstract: An inner seal boot, outer support boot cover, and bezel frame arrangement for enclosing the gap between the movable shift lever and an opening through which the lever of a vehicle transmission passes. The one-piece rubber boot cover has an upper conical-shaped sheath portion, an intermediate frusto-conical shaped flexible bellows portion, and a lower composite laminated base portion sealing enclosing a substrate core of thin sheet metal. The bellows portion has its lowermost convolute terminating in a groove defined in part by the substrate core with the groove dimensioned for releasable locking engagement of the bezel frame rectangular opening.

Abstract: An auxiliary flexible vacuum seal for preparing a reactor coolant pump for vacuum degasification of the reactor coolant system employs a flexible boot member having a pair of longitudinally-displaced opposite open end portions and a pair of side-by-side longitudinally-extending side portions in the form of flanges defining a split in the boot member along a side thereof and extending between the open end portions for allowing flexing of the boot member between open and closed side configurations to permit its installation and removal on and from the pump. The seal also employs clamping brackets and fasteners for releasably and sealably clamping together the flanges of the boot member at the split to retain the boot member in its closed configuration.

Abstract: A flexible boot having a bellows and mount portions on both axial ends of the bellows portion at which the boot is mounted on parts of a mechanism such as an automotive constant velocity joint. The flexible boot has an anti-degradation agent make-up element made of a material which contains an anti-degradation agent and which is capable of allowing the anti-degradation agent to precipitate on the surface thereof. The anti-degradation agent make-up element is fitted on at least a portion of the outer surface of the bellows so that the anti-degradation agent precipitated on the surface of the material of the anti-degradation agent make-up element is caused to progressively immigrate into the material of the bellows thereby making-up the anti-degradation agent in the bellows.

Abstract: An improved sealing and attachment means between a rubber boot (20) for a powdered door lock (4) and its actuator rod (10), which allows, not only radial, linear movement of the rod with respect to its power motor, but also rotational movement of the rod within its attachment to the boot, allowing such rotation without significantly distorting the boot. Two, axially spaced grooves (13 & 14) are located on the exterior surface of the rod at the area (15) to which the boot is to be attached, while two longitudinally spaced annular beads (22 & 23) are provided on the interior surface of the end portion (21) of the boot, which beads will be located between, but not in, the grooves. Two ring clips (16 & 17), serving as radially extended retainers, are placed in the rod grooves, fixedly positioning the attachment end portion of the boot longitudinally between the grooves. A gap (18) allows the ring clip to be laterally clipped onto its respective groove.

Abstract: A cover sleeve for the protective covering of a clearance for the passage of a steering column of a motor vehicle through a dashboard is disclosed. To accommodate adjustment of the steering column as to its inclination and length, the cover sleeve is fastened by one end to the dashboard and by the other end to a steering column casing. The cover sleeve is braced between its fastening ends by a displaceable frame which is mounted on the casing and is acted upon in its direction of displacement by a resilient tensioning element.

Abstract: A mechanical shaft joint boot integrally made up of a large-diameter ring portion and a small-diameter ring portion with a bellows portion interposed therebetween, and a straight portion connecting the bellows portion with the large-diameter ring portion. The distance 11 between the large-diameter ring portion and the small-diameter ring portion is smaller than the distance l2 between a large-diameter ring mounting portion and a small-diameter ring mounting portion of the joint, and the outside diameter of a first crest of the bellows portion is not larger than the inside diameter of the straight portion. Accordingly, when a shaft of the joint inclines to cause inclination on one side of the boot, a surface pressure being imposed on the first crest is not increased correspondingly, thereby suppressing its wear and enhancing service time of the boot.

Abstract: A rubber dirt-excluding and grease-retaining seal for use in machine assemblies such as furrow forming disc assemblies in grain drills, marker disc assemblies and the like comprises a generally cylindrical, accordian-like body formed of interconnected pocket like rings defined by generally radially extending interconnected walls rendering the body axially compressible and extensible. In use, the seal is compressed between a rotary disk like member on a shaft and a stationary hub like member and is useful in excluding dirt from the disc bearing while retaining grease therein.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear assembly has a rack bar 5 displaceable through a cylindrical bush 7 secured by a pin 38 in a rack bar housing 11. A flexible concertina-type bellows 21 is provided between the housing 11 and a tie rod on the end of the rack bar. The bush 7 has an annular recess 42 which is in constant communication by way of longitudinal grooves 39 in the surface of the bush with the interior of the bellows 21. The recess 42 coincides with an aperture 43 in the housing wall 11 within which is snap fitted a tubular plug 44 through which the bellows 21 breathes by way of the recess 42 and grooves 39. The bellows 21 can breathe through the plug 44 to atmosphere (preferably by way of a filter) or by way of a pipe to the interior of bellows located at the opposite end of the rack bar. The bush 7 can partly define a pressure chamber 23 of a piston and cylinder unit for power assisted steering.

Abstract: A split boot formed from a unitary, flexible body shaped to be helically wrapped around a universal joint or the like. Once the flexible body is wrapped around the joint with the mating edges engaged a main body is formed having a generally hollow truncated conical configuration with a corrugated or helical shape. One end of the main body has a smaller circular cross section than the other end. Each end portion of the main body has cutting guide ridges such that the diameter of the aperture in the end may be varied by removing some of the material from the body.

Abstract: A flexible swivel boot connector for connecting a first boot shield section to a second boot shield section, both first and second boot sections having openings therethrough, the second boot section having at least two adjacent accordian folds at the end having the opening, the second boot section being positioned through the opening of the first boot section such that a first of the accordian folds is within the first boot section and a second of the accordian folds is outside of the first boot, includes first and second annular discs, the first disc being positioned within and across the first accordian fold, the second disc being positioned within and across the second accordian fold, such that the first boot section is moveably and rigidly connected between the first and second accordian folds of the second boot section.

Abstract: A fan having reversible blades supported on a ring. The blades have means for holding the blades against rotation around thin central axis so that they can be selectively set to either blow cooling air forward away from the driver or rearward to add to the comfort of the driver. The resilient means urging the blades outward is made up of rubber cylinders that receive the hubs of the blades. One end of the cylinder rests on the fan while the thick end of the cylinder rests on the fan blades. The cylinder has a barrel shaped inside surface which it in giving the sleeved a generally uniform spring rate throughout its entire excursion.

Abstract: A travelling wire EDM apparatus having a pair of support and guide arms for an electrode wire effecting a cut on an electrode workpiece mounted in a tank filled with machining liquid fluid and capable of being displaced along two directions, relative to the support and guide arms, by a cross-slide table. At least the lower arm passes through an opening in one of the walls of the tank, such wall being formed by two parallel panels, a plate being slidably mounted between the two panels and having a tubular member through which the arm is disposed. Flexible joints are mounted between the plate and the two panels and at least one annular seal provides a sliding leakproof connection between the interior of the tubular member and the arm.

Abstract: A control rod (10) is grounded to a structure (14) at an opening (16) through which it moves longitudinally by sliding contact with a conductive wiper (18, 29, 40, or 48). The wiper is mounted to the structure (14) by conductive arms (26) and brackets (28), or by a joint (36), or by a housing (44), or by a boot (50) so that the wiper can track transverse motion of the rod (10).

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for covering and sealing the open space in a constant velocity universal joint includes a sealing boot, one end of which is fastened to the driven part of the joint and the other end of the sealing boot extending axially from the universal joint is fastened to a sleeve which is axially displaceable and is arranged coaxially surrounding a drive shaft connected to the driving part of the joint. A coating of a material having dirt-repellent and/or water-repellent properties or permitting easy sliding is provided on the drive shaft at least in the range of axial displacement of the sleeve relative to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A self pumping seal for a reciprocating member (12) provides cooling fluid to the reciprocating member (12) with degradation of an elastomeric seal (34) lessened by separating the elastomeric seal (34) from the higher temperatures of the machinery. Separation is provided by a relatively heat insensitive rigid seal (24).

Abstract: An improved coupler cover is provided for preventing foreign matter from contaminating the end surface of a female coupler. This improved coupler cover comprises two diaphragms axially aligned adjacent to each other. Each diaphragm contains a multiplicity of slits which extend outward from the center of the diaphragm to form equal size pie-shaped sections. The multiple slits of the first diaphragm are also offset in position from the multiple slits of the second disphragm. The two diaphragms are secured in a retainer which holds both of the diaphragms relative to the end surface of the coupler.

Abstract: A sealing boot to be mounted on a constant velocity joint of a vehicle having a case with concave portions. The sealing boot comprises serrations on the inner peripheral surface to fit edges of the concave portions. The sealing boot is fastened by a fastening means to establish satisfactory sealing.

Abstract: A shaft sealing precluding fluid from moving in a direction longitudinally of the shaft. At the same time the shaft sealing allows a motion of the shaft in axial direction, an inclination of the shaft, and may also allow a rotary motion of the shaft relative to its sealing means. The sealing means is a rolling diaphragm including a clamping flange on one end of the rolling wall thereof. The other end of the rolling diaphragm is provided with a cylindrical elastomeric member having a projection conforming substantially with the shape of a portion of reduced diameter of the shaft and engaging under pressure said portion of reduced diameter. The rolling diaphragm includes an elastomeric ply and a fabric reinforcement of the ply.

Abstract: A shaft sealing precluding fluid from moving in a direction longitudinally of the shaft. At the same time the shaft sealing allows a motion of the shaft in axial direction, an inclination of the shaft, and may also allow a rotary motion of the shaft relative to its sealing means. The sealing means is a rolling diaphragm including a clamping flange on one end of the rolling wall thereof. There is a difference of pressure to either side of the rolling wall of the diaphragm. Its shaft has a predetermined outer diameter, and its radially inward directed bottom has a central bore therein equal to the predetermined outer diameter of the shaft. A tubular member having an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of the shaft is mounted on the shaft. That tubular member has an outer diameter of such thickness as to engage a length of the rolling wall of the rolling diaphragm.

Abstract: A retractable shaft structure for interconnecting a unit, such as a constant speed drive, to a power source, such as an engine gear box, wherein the unit has an input drive axis and the gear box has an output drive axis and the unit is moved transversely to said axes to bring the axes into alignment. A drive shaft defining the input drive axis and carried by the unit has a drive input end extending beyond said unit for connection into driving relation with an output shaft of the gear box. The drive shaft is mounted for adjusting movement along the input drive axis to have the drive shaft retracted during said transverse movement, followed by extension thereof. Rotatable mounting structure, independent of the unit, mounts the drive input end of the input shaft and is held in fixed relation therewith to move with the drive shaft during said adjusting movement and said rotatable mounting structure is releasably connectable to the gear box to be held in fixed relation thereto.