Abstract: A positive stop clamp for clamping a cross tube of a tie rod to a tie rod end includes a one-pieced clamp body having a U-shape cross section and a locking fastener. The clamp body includes two flat ends, each end having a pair of inwardly bent ears whereby a substantially circular interior is defined. The body further includes a cantilevered locator tab having a flange at its end. The flange abuts the end of the cross tube to locate the clamp at the desired point on the tube.

Abstract: A torque rod for a heavy duty motor vehicle includes a shaft and two ends, each end being selectively attachable to points on the vehicle's chassis. The rod is composed of a polymerizable composite material. The shaft is either of solid, hollow, or layered composition. As an option, the shaft includes two adjustably interlocking halves enclosed and overlapped by a slidable sleeve. The sleeve is provided with a hole for the insertion of a bonding and filling material to fix the selected interlocked position to fit the chassis as needed.

Abstract: A compound bearing consisting of an outer and an inner member movable relative to each other and between which are disposed load carrying annular members. The load carrying annular members comprise a pair of elastomeric rings held between the outer and inner members under compression, and a metallic ring insert disposed between and separating the two elastomeric rings. A narrow clearance is provided between the peripheral surface of the metallic ring insert and the inner surface of the bearing outer member, and between the metallic ring inner surface and the inner member peripheral surface. Normal loads are taken and absorbed by the elastomeric rings, while overloads and shock loads are taken by the metallic ring insert.

Abstract: A compound bearing consisting of an outer and an inner member movable relative to each other and between which are disposed load carrying annular members. The load carrying annular members comprise a pair of deformable plastic rings held between the outer and inner members under compression, and a metallic ring insert disposed between and separating the two deformable rings. The outer member is formed of two cup-shaped tubular members press-fitted over the metallic ring insert.

Abstract: A compound bearing having a shell defining a cylindrical bore in which is installed the bearing inner member, a bearing ring of ultra high molecular weight polymer being disposed within the shell cylindrical bore between the bore surface and the peripheral surface of the inner member. The polymer bearing ring is extruded in strips cut to length and wrapped around the inner member with abutting ends prior to inserting the ring within the shell bore. In structures wherein the inner member is a spherical member or ball, the strip is extruded with a cylindrical groove on at least one surface such as to form a concave spherical surface when wrapped around the spherical peripheral surface of the inner member.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having bearing surfaces pre-loaded towards each other, the bearing surfaces being originally made in slightly non-conforming geometry and dimensions over the majority of their surface areas in sliding engagement, the areas of the bearing surfaces in engagement being thus less than the total available areas. During use, and through progressive wear-in of the bearing surfaces in engagement, the bearing surface areas in engagement are progressively enlarged with progressive conformity in geometry and dimension, the conforming surface areas being constantly kept in engagement by the elements in the assembly adapted to provide bearing pre-load.

Abstract: A wear indicator for knuckle or swivel joints of the ball and socket type wherein the spherical surfaces in swivelling engagement are urged in bearing engagement by a retainer member accomplishing the double function of holding the ball and the socket in assembly and of applying a pre-load force to the ball to prevent vibration and rattle and to compensate for wear of the bearing surfaces. The wear indicator is in the form of an elongate member attached to the pre-load retainer member at a portion thereof which is progressively movable in the direction of wear of the bearing surfaces of the joint for maintaining the pre-load pressure upon the bearing surfaces.

Abstract: In a ball and socket joint comprising a ball and a socket in mutual swivelling sliding engagement with each other, the ball having a stud integrally formed at one end thereof and projecting outwardly through one end of the socket, the improvement consisting in forming the socket with an annular groove circularly disposed at the edge of the open end of the socket for fitting and retaining therein the beaded end of a flexible oil-resistant seal having a bellows type body provided at one end with an annular band stretched over the periphery of the stud.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having bearing surfaces pre-loaded towards each other, the bearing surfaces being originally made in slightly non-conforming geometry and dimensions over the majority of their surface areas in sliding engagement, the areas of the bearing surfaces in engagement being thus less than the total available areas. During use, and through progressive wear-in of the bearing surfaces in engagement, the bearing surface areas in engagement are progressively enlarged with progressive conformity in geometry and dimension, the conforming surface areas being constantly kept in engagement by the elements in the assembly adapted to provide bearing pre-load.

Abstract: A knuckle or swivel joint of the half-ball and socket type comprising a stud terminating in an enlarged diameter half-ball member disposed in the socket member and having an end flat surface engaged by a resilient retainer cap disposed in the socket member. The retainer cap is elastically pre-loaded in an appropriate direction which causes firm engagement of the spherical bearing surfaces of the socket and ball in mutual swivelling engagement, thus, among others, compensating for wear.

Abstract: In a ball and socket joint comprising a ball and a socket in mutual swivelling sliding engagement with each other, the ball having a stud integrally formed at one end thereof and projecting outwardly through one end of the socket, the improvement consisting in forming the socket with an annular groove circularly disposed at the edge of the open end of the socket for fitting and retaining therein the beaded end of a flexible oil-resistant seal having a bellows type body provided at one end with an annular band stretched over the periphery of the stud.

Abstract: A sealed bearing prepacked with lubricant, and provided with a sealing shell press-fitted over the bearing outer member or housing. The sealing shell has a radially disposed end flange holding the terminal flange of a bellows seal made of elastomeric material and having another end in the form of a garter flange resiliently engaged with the peripheral surface of the inner member of the bearing. Preferably, the sealing shell is made of two half-shells, for facility of assembly.

Abstract: A knuckle or swivel joint of the half-ball and socket type comprising a stud terminating in an enlarged diameter half-ball member disposed in the socket member and having a recess in which is engaged a biasing insert member made of resilient or elastomeric material placed under compression during assembly of the joint. The joint bearing surfaces are elastically pre-loaded in an appropriate direction which causes firm engagement of the bearing surfaces in mutual engagement and thus preventing play and rattling of the joint and compensating for wear.