Abstract: An assembly of a bearing unit with inner and outer members and rolling elements between them and a universal joint member, with a retaining element which has been deformed to hold the members together and removal of which to permit dismantling of the assembly leaves at least one of the members undamaged and fit for further service. Torque transmission between the members may be by way of tapered splines.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, friction welding two components such as universal joint members to the ends of a shaft, wherein the shaft is held stationary while the components are rotated against its ends to produce welding conditions, and then released as welding pressure is applied while the components are braked. Allowing the shaft to rotate with the end component during formation of the welds avoids weld quality problems occurring due to the formation and tearing apart of a succession of welds during the time which would be taken for the end components to come to rest if the shaft were held stationary.

Abstract: A method of making a universal joint outer member affording a cavity with axially extending grooves in the wall thereof for receiving torque transmitting balls, comprising fitting into a preformed outer member, of light weight material, one or more wear resistant elements which define the grooves, and subjecting the assembly to an extrusion operation to secure the groove-defining elements in position and form the outer member to size.

Abstract: An assembly of a universal joint member and a shaft having a plurality of superimposed layers of material and an adhesive bond between axially inter-fitting parts of the shaft and universal joint member, the adhesive bond being established with more than one of the layers of material of the shaft to overcome a tendency to disruption of the layers of the shaft on torque transmission. The axially inter-fitting parts may be of stopped or frusto-conical form to provide a joint surface which intersects several of the layers of the shaft.

Abstract: An assembly of a universal joint member and a shaft formed of fibre reinforced synthetic resin material is made by establishing an adhesive connection between the shaft and a connecting member, and subsequently welding the connecting member to the universal joint member. The connecting member may be adhered to the shaft by incorporating it in the structure of the shaft as the shaft is manufactured.

Abstract: An outer member for a universal joint with torque transmission by balls engaged in grooves in the outer member, comprising a first component of a lightweight material for attachment to a transmission shaft, a second component fitting closely within the first component and defining the grooves, the first and second components being keyed against relative rotation and retained together by deformation of the first component.

Abstract: A yoke for a hookes universal joint, formed of a lightweight metal and having a base, two limbs extending axially from the base, the limbs having reinforcing flanges at least adjacent to the base and the thickness of the base being such that the limbs and base form a generally U-shaped structure of high rigidity.

Abstract: The invention provides a display device for a rotary balancing machine. The balancing machine generates a digital out of balance weight signal of value W at an angular position .theta. with respect to a datum angle to indicate value and position of a weight required for balancing purposes. In the display device the weight signal is fed to a pre-programmable read only memory programmed to provide a digital output equivalent to an angle of arc cos ( W/2W.sub.1) where W.sub.1 is a predetermined weight to be used for balancing purposes. Angles .theta..sub.1 and .theta..sub.2 such that .DELTA..theta.=.theta.-.theta..sub.1 =.theta..sub.2 -.theta. are normally displayed but for calibration purposes can be suppressed to enable signals W and .theta. to be displayed. Weights of the predetermined value placed at angles .theta..sub.1 and .theta..sub.2 should completely balance the wheel.

Abstract: A splined joint between a shaft and a muff, for the purpose of preventing dog-legging has a chamber provided at the end of the muff from which the shaft projects and a guide ring received in such chamber, the guide ring being introduced axially into the chamber past an edge afforded by the muff which removes material from the guide ring to give the required clearance between the shaft and guide ring to constrain relative radial movement between the shaft and muff.

Abstract: A transmission means for drive by a prime mover, particularly the engine of an automobile, comprising a torque converter for direct drive by the prime mover, a continuously variable speed belt drive comprising a belt or chain entrained around two variable pitch pulleys driven directly by the torque converter and a change-direction gearing driven by the belt drive and driving a rotary output, e.g. the road wheels of an automobile, the gearing having a neutral state in which the output is disconnected from the belt drive.

Abstract: Wheel alignment testing apparatus for vehicles comprises a reference surface plate adapted to be attached to a wheel to be tested and sensing means for sensing the attitude of the reference surface plate. The sensing means includes feelers for contacting the reference surface plate, and a transducer associated with each feeler for providing a signal which represents the position of the feeler, the signals derived from the transducers being analysed by a circuit for giving an indication of the relevant wheel alignment parameters. The apparatus includes driven rollers on which the wheel under test are supported, the test being carried out with the vehicle's wheels rotating. The electric circuit includes means for compensating for any wobble of the reference surface plate if it is not properly aligned with the wheel to which it is attached.

Abstract: A control coupling, particularly for use with a differential gearing, the coupling including an enclosure containing a viscous liquid and first and second mutually interleaved sets of annular plates arranged for rotation about a common axis within the enclosure. The first set of plates are arranged to be connected with a first rotatable member and the second set of plates being arranged to be connected with a second rotatable member, and the plates of at least one set are free to move in directions parallel to the common axis. One of the sets of plates are mounted on a hollow hub which projects within the enclosure and which has a bore which is open to, and forms part of, the enclosure volume. A piston is slidable in this bore to vary the volume of the enclosure and springs are located in the bore to urge the piston towards a limit position in which the volume of the bore in communication with the remainder of the enclosure is at a minimum.

Abstract: A wet clutch has a fluid circulation system which includes a collector chamber arranged to collect fluid impelled by rotating parts of the clutch and to convert the kinetic energy of such fluid into a static pressure head, under the influence of which the fluid flows through a duct to be distributed throughout the clutch assembly. The duct may communicate with an annular passage arranged to discharge fluid into an annular groove provided on the driving plate of the clutch. The clutch may have two sections for coupling a common input shaft to output shafts, in which case a directing means may provide for direction of the fluid to both sections of the clutch.

Abstract: A coupling for controlling or limiting the angular velocity or angular acceleration between first and second rotatable members. The coupling has an enclosure containing viscous liquid in which first and second sets of interleaved elements and third and fourth sets of interleaved elements are arranged for rotation about a common axis. The first and third sets of elements have driving connections with the first rotatable member and the second and fourth sets of elements have driving connections with the second rotatable member. Spacing means are provided to space apart the facing surfaces of adjacent elements of at least one of said first and second sets and also at least one of said third and fourth sets so that the facing surfaces of adjacent elements of each spaced set are spaced apart by distances greater than the thicknesses of the portions of the elements of the other set interleaved between said facing surfaces. The spacing means provided for one or both of the third and fourth sets are resilient.

Abstract: A control coupling in which an enclosure houses first and second sets of mutually interleaved elements in a viscous liquid. The first and second sets of elements are arranged for rotation about a common axis and for driving connection with first and second rotatable members respectively. A clutch is provided outside the enclosure and resilient means are arranged to urge the clutch into a disengaged state. A pressure responsive means which is in communication with the enclosure is arranged to engage the clutch against the action of the resilient means when the pressure in the liquid in the enclosure attains a predetermined level.

Abstract: Viscous shear couplings for controlling the action of an interaxle or interwheel differential gear in a vehicle transmission are described. The couplings comprise a pack of interleaved annular plates which are free to float axially in an annular enclosure containing a viscous liquid. The enclosure incorporates a spring-loaded piston shiftable to vary the enclosure volume. The quantity of viscous liquid, in the range 85% to 100% of the minimum volume at ambient temperature, and the spring strength are chosen to give a predetermined pressure build-up within the enclosure with rise in temperature during shearing of the viscous liquid to tailor the torque-transmitting characteristics of the coupling to particular needs.

Abstract: The combination in a motor vehicle of a prime mover, a multi-speed main gearing provided with manual ratio selector means, a disengageable main clutch between the prime mover and the input of the main gearing, a driver-operated main clutch control having a first position in which the main clutch is engaged to transmit drive from the prime mover to the main gearing and a second position in which the main clutch is disengaged and which is normally assumed during ratio changes of said main gearing by said selector means, an auxiliary two-ratio gearing in series with the main gearing, and ratio control means for the auxiliary gearing connected with the main clutch control and manual selector means so that, with the main gearing in its highest ratio, each movement of the main clutch control to its second position not only disengages the clutch but also actuates the ratio control means to change the operative ratio of the auxiliary gearing.

Abstract: A plunging constant velocity universal joint of the kind comprising a hollow outer member and an inner member, torque-transmitting balls which are located in apertures in a cage disposed between said members and are each engaged in and between a pair of opposed longitudinal grooves in said members so as to be movable therealong to permit relative angular and axial movement between the members, and a guide ring mounted on the inner member, the cage having a convex part-spherical outer surface engaging the surface of a cylindrical bore in the outer member so that the cage is movable relative to said member axially of the latter, and a concave part-spherical inner surface engaging a complementary convex part-spherical surface on the guide ring, the centers of the part-spherical surfaces of the cage being offset by equal amounts on opposite sides of the joint center along the joint axis whereby the cage assists in maintaining the balls in the bisector plane of the joint.

Abstract: Apparatus for elevating and supporting a wheeled vehicle comprises a vehicle receiving platform, and supporting means for the platform providing for angular movement of the platform in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the vehicle. One position of the platform is arranged so that the vehicle can be driven on its own wheels onto and off the platform. The support means includes a member which supports the platform in the mid region of the length of the platform, elevator means being provided for raising and lowering such member and thus moving the platform from a horizontal loading position to an inclined working position, the platform being pivotally supported at opposite ends about horizontal axes transverse to the length of the platform.

Abstract: A control coupling in which an enclosure houses first and second sets of mutually interleaved elements in a viscous fluid. The first and second sets of elements are arranged for rotation about a common axis and for driving connection with first and second rotatable members respectively. The quantity of liquid within the enclosure and the construction of the enclosure are such that, at a predetermined working temperature of at least 100.degree. C, the pressure of the liquid in the enclosure rises substantially above ambient. At least one set of the elements is free to move in directions parallel to the common axis of rotation and at least one set of the elements is provided with facings of friction material.