Abstract: A flexible coupling includes a quadrilateral, flex member, which coupling rotatably couples a driving shaft to a driven shaft and accommodates endwise, parallel or angular misalignment between the shafts. The flex member includes corner portions each having one substantially aligned face and a raised face created by thickening of each corner portion. The substantially aligned faces of two diagonally opposed corner portions face in one generally axial direction and the substantially aligned faces of the other corner portions face in a direction generally opposite to that of the substantially aligned faces of the two diagonally opposed corner portions to minimize the endwise spacing required between the driving shaft and the driven shaft needed to insert the coupling. The decreased endwise spacing minimizes the bending moment on the flex member and facilitates the identification of the proper assembly orientation of the flex member within the flexible coupling.

Abstract: A flexible coupling for drivingly connecting two rotatable shafts or the like, and for use in applications where torque is transmitted only in one direction of rotation or where the torque transmitted in one direction of rotation is significantly greater than the torque transmitted in the other direction of rotation, includes a flex member consisting of four elongated flex elements fixedly joined together in a unitary rectangular arrangement. The two elements positioned on opposite sides of the rectangular arrangement are of substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape along a major portion of element length, and the elements of one such pair are thicker than the elements of the other pair. The flex member is connected between the two rotatable shafts in a manner which causes the thicker elements to be in compression and the thinner elements to be in tension during torque transmission in the favored direction.

Abstract: A flexible coupling for drivingly connecting driving and driven members and for accommodating both angular and endwise misalignment of such members comprises a plurality of quadrilateral flex frames arranged face-to-face along the central axis of the coupling. The two end frames are connected respectively to the driving and driven members through opposite corner portions of each such frame. Among the flex frames themselves, each frame is connected to the next adjacent frame by having two of its opposite corner portions rigidly connected to two opposite corner portions of the adjacent frame.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises two engaging members movable relative to one another. One of said members has a bearing surface made of metal or ceramic coated with a thin film of a parting agent, and the other bearing surface is a woven fabric impregnated with a cured acrylate composition.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a self-aligning spherical bearing having two hemispherical rings; each of the rings have inner annular surfaces and substantially planar mating surfaces; one of the mating surfaces is provided with a recess adjacent its inner arcuate edge while the other mating surface is provided with a projecting lip on its inner arcuate edge so that, when the mating surfaces are disposed in abutting relationship, the recess and lip will define a circumferential cavity; a ball member is disposed between the ring members prior to placing the mating surfaces in abutting relationship and then the mating surfaces are fusion-bonded by an energized beam of electrons to form the assembled spherical bearing.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of securing sealing members in place in a bearing of the type having two relatively movable members, one being an outer bearing member having a surface that is complementary to the exterior surface of the inner bearing member; the method includes the steps of disposing the inner member inside of the outer bearing member, with the sealing members located between opposing surfaces of the inner and outer bearing members so as to maintain a space between the surfaces of the bearing members, injecting a curable mixture of a bearing surface compound in the space between the bearing members, curing the injected compound to form a bearing surface on the inner surface of the outer bearing member and to bond the sealing members in place; the disclosure also embraces a bearing member made according to the foregoing method.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises two engaging members movable relative to one another. One of said members has a bearing surface made of metal or ceramic coated with a thin film of a parting agent, and the other bearing surface is a cured mixture of a curable acrylate composition and particulate polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises two engaging members movable relative to one another. One of said members has a bearing surface made of metal or ceramic coated with a thin film of a parting agent, and the other bearing surface is a cured mixture of a curable acrylate composition and particulate polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of assembling a self-aligning spherical bearing by placing the mating surfaces of two ring members each having annular facing recesses together about the spherical member and then directing an energized beam raised inwardly towards the common axis of the ring members to fusion bond the mating surface of the ring members together; the depth of the fusion bonding extending from the outer edges of the ring members to the cavity defined by the mating recesses formed on the mating surfaces of the ring members on their interior edges; the inner bearing surfaces of the ring members have a bearing surface formed thereon by injecting a mixture of an acrylate composition and a solid particulate lubricant between the spherical bearing surface and the inner annular surfaces of the ring members.

Abstract: A bearing member comprises a bearing surface consisting essentially of a cured mixture of an acrylate composition, a particulate solid lubricant and organic or inorganic fillers.