Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber is formed as a sealed assembly and subsequently, at a desired time, an opening is non-contaminantly pierced in the outer shell and the shock absorber is pressurized by passing a pressurized fluid through the opening and the opening is then non-contaminantly sealed with a metal ball by welding to make the hydraulic shock absorber permanently gas pressurized. The shock absorber assembly, the method of making it and the apparatus for making it are disclosed in this specification.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber is formed as a sealed assembly and subsequently, at a desired time, an opening is non-contaminantly pierced in the outer shell and the shock absorber is pressurized by passing a pressurized fluid through the opening and the opening is then non-contaminantly sealed with a metal ball by welding to make the hydraulic shock absorber permanently gas pressurized. The shock absorber assembly, the method of making it and the apparatus for making it are disclosed in this specification.

Abstract: An automatic locking gear is adapted to drivingly connect a drive axle and wheel hub automatically in response to application of torque to the drive axle which has a stationary housing in which said drive axle is journaled, a drive gear keyed for rotation with the drive axle while being slidable in an axial direction independently of the drive axle, and a driven gear is keyed for rotation with the wheel hub while being slidable in an axial direction independently of the wheel hub. The locking member is mounted on the stationary housing, and the cam follower mounted on the drive gear.

Abstract: A connection flange for tubular members is formed as a separate member having a sealing surface formed on the connection flange for sealingly engaging a complementary mating surface, a formed annulus for receiving an end of a tubular member and a radially extending web having openings to enable threaded fasteners to force the flange sealing surface into sealing engagement with the complementary mating surface. A tubular member is sealingly affixed to the formed annulus by welding. The flange is formed of a relatively thicker material than the tubular member to which it is affixed to provide material and weight savings by enabling the tubular member to be formed of a relatively thin, light weight material.

Abstract: An actuator ball movement coordinator and cam member for a torque responsive hub clutch of the ball and cam type serves to assure coordinated movement of a plurality of actuator balls and also cams the balls into positions which cause actuation of the clutch.

Abstract: An assembly maintenance tube maintains a live spindle mounted within a bore of a vehicle mounting component. The maintenance tube has a central aperture for receiving in a spaced relationship a drivable axle. The axle is drivingly connected to the live spindle in a manner which allows axial movement of the axle relative to the spindle to relieve stress in the drive train which drives the axle.

Abstract: Annular sealing ridges on a sealing surface of a lubricant seal for sealing between a bore and a shaft are configured and oriented to resist installation by axial movement onto the shaft on which they seal to aid in preventing over-installation of the seal on the shaft and to aid in assuring proper alignment of the seal components and axial sealing of the seal within the bore.

Abstract: A clutch interposed between a hub mounted for rotation on a spindle and a selectively driveable axle which extends longitudinally through the spindle serves to engage the hub to the axle when the clutch is subjected to torque caused by placement of the axle in a dynamic or driving axle mode. When the axle is in a passive or non-driving axle mode the clutch serves to disengage the hub from the axle whereby the hub is free-wheeling on the spindle.

Abstract: An in-line hose connected filter assembly in which a one piece cylinder with swaged ends serves as the outer shell of the filter and also provides the material for crimping hose into sealing engagement with the filter assembly whereby the hose is mechanically secured to the filter inlet/outlet flow tube and serves as the seal between the outer shell and the inlet/outlet flow tube.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a desired level of fluid in a sump, such as maintaining a desired level of oil in the crankcase of an internal combustion engine, is provided with an oil reservoir having a cap which assures sealing of the fluid inlet of the reservoir, an outlet valve with a tiltable operator rod which provides assurance oil will not flow from the reservoir when the inlet cap is removed and which facilitates the addition of oil to the reservoir through the inlet and a sight gauge having guard members which assure the structural integrity of the sight gauge.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing probe for gravity induced flow liquid level regulators used for maintaining a desired level of a liquid in a sump of a device having moving components within or adjacent the sump, such as maintaining a desired oil level in the crankcase of an engine, increases the accuracy of the regulator by being resistant to wind forces which impinge upon the liquid and gases entrained within the liquid.

Abstract: A standpipe type sensing apparatus for a barometric or gravity induced flow oil level regulator for maintaining oil in an engine crankcase at a desired level has a vent which places an air space in the standpipe in fluid flow communication with a relatively oil free portion of a relatively calm air space above the oil level in the crankcase. The vent assures that the air pressure in the standpipe air space and in the crankcase air space are substantially equal during operation of the engine. A fluid flow damping orifice is provided to retard the rate of fill and drainage of oil from a sensing chamber in the standpipe. The standpipe apparatus is readily installed onto engines without the need to remove the oil pan.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a desired level of fluid in a sump, such as maintaining a desired level of oil in the crankcase of an internal combustion engine, is provided with an oil reservoir having a cap which assures sealing of the fluid inlet of the reservoir, an outlet valve with a tiltable operator rod which provides assurance oil will not flow from the reservoir when the inlet cap is removed and which facilitates the addition of oil to the reservoir through the inlet and a sight gauge having guard members which assure the structural integrity of the sight gauge.

Abstract: A unitized, hand installable lubricant seal for sealing between a bore and a shaft subject to rotation relative to each other, such as a vehicle wheel hub and axle, provides a resilient surface for sealingly engaging the bore, a resilient surface for sealingly engaging the shaft and a resilient seal lip to rigid wear surface running seal between the reslient surfaces. No special tools are required to install or remove the seal.

Abstract: A unitized, hand installable lubricant seal for sealing between a bore and a shaft subject to rotation relative to each other, such as a vehicle wheel hub and axle, provides a resilient surface for sealingly engaging the bore, a resilient surface for sealingly engaging the shaft and a resilient seal lip to rigid wear surface running seal between the resilient surfaces. No special tools are required to install or remove the seal.

Abstract: A unitized, hand installable lubricant seal for sealing between a bore and a shaft subject to rotation relative to each other, such as a vehicle wheel hub and axle, provides a resilient surface for sealingly engaging the bore, a resilient surface for sealingly engaging the shaft and a resilient seal lip to rigid wear surface running seal between the resilient surfaces. No special tools are required to install or remove the seal.

Abstract: A unitized, hand installable lubricant seal for sealing between a bore and a shaft subject to rotation relative to each other, such as a vehicle wheel hub and axle, provides a resilient surface for sealingly engaging the bore, a resilient surface for sealingly engaging the shaft and a resilient seal lip to rigid wear surface running seal between the resilient surfaces. No special tools are required to install or remove the seal.