Abstract: A spherical annular seal having a through hole in a center thereof and a partially convex spherical surface portion on an outer surface thereof, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the spherical annular seal defining the through hole is reinforced by a reinforcing member formed of a metal mesh, and a uniform lubricating sliding layer of a lubricating composition containing 70 to 90 wt. % of boron nitride and 10 to 30 wt. % of alumina is formed on a surface of the partially convex spherical surface portion.

Abstract: A passive vibration-damping unit in which movable upper members with a weight mounted thereon are superposed on fixed lower members with roller members interposed therebetween is installed in a highest story of a high-rise building. An active vibration-damping unit for actively causing the movable upper members of the passive vibration-damping unit to move in a shaking manner by means of a servo motor is incorporated in the passive vibration-damping unit. When the vibration of the building has occurred, the weight is allowed to move forcibly in the vibration-damping direction by means of the active vibration-damping unit. When the vibration has reached a limit value of the relative displacement of the active vibration-damping unit or a limit value of the torque of the servo motor, only the operation of the passive vibration-damping unit is continued. When the vibration has subsided to a certain extent, the active vibration-damping unit is operated again.

Abstract: A cylindrical bearing with a solid lubricant embedded and fixed in a plurality of first and second helical grooves formed in an inner peripheral surface thereof, wherein each first helical groove is formed with a rightward rising inclination at an angle .theta..sub.1 of more than 0.degree. and not more than 45.degree. with respect to a reference line, while each second helical groove is formed with a leftward rising inclination at an angle .theta..sub.2 of more than 0.degree. and not more than 45.degree. with respect to the reference line, a line which connects shorter diagonal lines of parallelograms each formed by connecting points of intersection of adjacent ones of the first helical grooves and adjacent ones of the second helical grooves intersecting with the adjacent ones of the first helical grooves forms an angle .theta..sub.3 of less than 90.degree. with respect to the reference line.

Abstract: A spherical bearing includes an outer ring formed integrally with a rod end, an inner ring having a spherical outer peripheral surface arranged in face-to-face relation with the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring, and a flexible lubricating sheet disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and the spherical outer peripheral surface of the inner ring. Respective central portions in both annular areas of the flexible lubricating sheet which are respectively defined between an axial center of the outer ring and one annular end of the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and between the axial center of the outer ring and another annular end of the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring are made to undergo plastic flow and are formed to be thinner than a remaining portion of the flexible lubricating sheet.

Abstract: A flexible joint for an automobile exhaust system includes a flexible bellows for sealing the communication between the engine and the tail pipe with first and second flanges fixed to the respective members and interconnected by coupling shafts that are fixed at one end to one of the flanges and passed loosely through the other flange whereby compression springs that surround the coupling shafts serve together with the bellows to provide support capable of accommodating relative axial and angular deflections between the members. One of the flanges is so configured and disposed with respect to the bellows as to limit the amount of angular deflection imposed on the bellows. Damping sleeves composed of compressed wire mesh material operate to dampen vibrations imposed on the joint.

Abstract: A spherical annular seal having a through hole in a center thereof and a partially convex spherical surface portion on an outer surface thereof, wherein a surface of the partially convex spherical surface portion is formed into a smooth surface in which a lubricating sliding layer of a lubricating composition containing 70 to 90 wt. % of boron nitride and 10 to 30 wt. % of alumina and/or silica and a reinforcing material constituted by a metal wire net covering the lubricating sliding layer and integrated with the lubricating sliding layer are integrated in mixed form.

Abstract: A synthetic resin bearing comprised of synthetic resin-made upper and lower bearing cases and a synthetic resin-made bearing member having a disk-shaped thrust bearing piece and a hollow-cylindrical radial bearing piece with a radially extending slit. The bearing member is disposed such that the radial bearing piece is kept in sliding contact with an outer peripheral surface of a hollow cylindrical portion of the lower bearing case, and the thrust bearing piece is kept in sliding contact with a bottom of an annular recess formed in the lower bearing case. The upper bearing case is assembled to the lower bearing case such that an annular engaging hook portion is snappingly fitted over an annular engaging projecting portion of the lower bearing case.

Abstract: A spherical annular seal having a through hole in a center thereof and a partially convex spherical surface portion on an outer surface thereof, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the spherical annular seal defining the through hole is reinforced by a reinforcing member formed of a metal mesh, and a uniform lubricating sliding layer of a lubricating composition containing 70 to 90 wt. % of boron nitride and 10 to 30 wt. % of alumina is formed on a surface of the partially convex spherical surface portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multilayered sliding member comprising a lubricating composition comprising polytetrafluoroethylene and 1 to 40 wt % of (i) zinc oxide whiskers or (ii) zinc oxide whiskers and fibrous magnesium oxysulfate, fan-shaped magnesium oxysulfate or a mixture thereof used as a filler; and a porous sintered metal layer formed on a steel backing,the lubricating composition being impregnated in and coated on the porous sintered metal layer formed on a steel backing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a solid lubricating composition comprising a solid lubricant, a lubricating oil which is in a liquid or paste form at an ordinary temperature, a carrier for absorbing and possessing said lubricating oil, and a thermosetting synthetic resin binder, and a sliding member comprising a metal substrate and a solid lubricant composed of the lubricating composition.

Abstract: A spherical bearing includes an outer ring formed integrally with a rod end, an inner ring having a spherical outer peripheral surface arranged in face-to-face relation with the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring, and a flexible lubricating sheet disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and the spherical outer peripheral surface of the inner ring. Respective central portions in both annular areas of the flexible lubricating sheet which are respectively defined between an axial center of the outer ring and one annular end of the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and between the axial center of the outer ring and another annular end of the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring are made to undergo plastic flow and are formed to be thinner than a remaining portion of the flexible lubricating sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multilayered sliding member comprising a lubricating composition comprising polytetrafluoroethylene and, as filler, 1-25 wt % of fibrous magnesium oxysulfate, fan-shaped magnesium oxysulfate or a mixture thereof, and a porous sintered metal layer formed on a steel backing,the lubrication composition being impregnated in and coated on a porous sintered metal layer formed on the steel backing.

Abstract: A synthetic resin connecting rod is disclosed having a ball socket integrally formed with an opening on one side and a concave spherical surface extending from the opening at each end of the rod. In order to increase the strength, the connecting rod has a rib as a reinforcement on the connecting line between the centers of each spherical surface, the connecting line intersecting a transverse cross section of the rib. A ball joint using the preferred synthetic resin connecting rod is lighter than one using a metal rod and is strong enough to be used as a ball joint for a stabilizer in an automobile.

Abstract: A one-way damper comprising, one forming member for forming an accommodating chamber, other forming member disposed opposite to the one forming member such that the one and other forming members form the accommodating chamber therebetween and the other forming member is rotatable relative to the one forming member, a coil spring wound around the other forming member, and a viscous fluid accommodated in the chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a fluororesin composition for a sliding member comprising a fluororesin, at least one of fillers selected from the group consisting of glass fiber, glass powder, carbon fiber and carbon powder, and a phosphate, and a sliding member thereof.

Abstract: A synthetic with an opening at the top and a concave spherical surface extending from the opening, where a ball head of a ball stud is fixed, has a circular concave step on the outer surface of the housing surround the opening. A metal ring is fixed on the circular step so that the strength of the opening of the synthetic resin housing in a radial inward direction is greatly increased to resist the pull-out load on the ball stud. Warping of the opening is thereby prevented.

Abstract: A side-wall beam is installed on a base for a guideway for a magnetic levitation vehicle. An elastic body is interposed between the side-wall beam and the base. Then, the side-wall beam is fastened to the base with a tendon on an imaginary line which extends through an intermediate portion of the elastic body in the transverse direction of the side-wall beam and which extends along the longitudinal direction of the side-wall beam. The elastic body is thereby held under compression between the side-wall beam and the base. The side-wall beam is supported on the base through the elastic body, and also fastened to the base, holding the elastic body under compression between the side-wall beam and the base. Reactive forces produced by the compression of the elastic body act to resist forces tending to cause the side-wall beam to fall over. Any displacement of the side-wall beam which may be caused by forces generated when the magnetic levitation vehicle passes can thereby be kept within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A driving apparatus for telescopic antenna, including an electric motor, a driving clutch member connected to the motor to be rotated by the motor, a driven clutch member opposite to the driving clutch member to define a viscous fluid containing space in association with the driving clutch member and connected to a telescopic antenna to extend and contract the telescopic antenna, and a viscous fluid contained in the viscous fluid containing space.

Abstract: A seismic isolating bearing for supporting a building on a foundation includes a laminated body adapted to be interposed vertically between the upper and lower structures. The laminated body comprises alternately arranged viscoelastic layers and stiffener plates, having a hole defined vertically therein, and an energy absorber assembly disposed in the hole, for absorbing energy applied thereto. The energy absorber assembly comprises a lead block inserted in the hole, with the lead block having an intermediate portion held against an inner circumferential surface of the hole. The energy absorber assembly also has a viscoelastic cylindrical body disposed between an outer circumferential surface of at least one of upper and lower end portions of the lead block and the inner circumferential surface of the hole.

Abstract: An energy absorption apparatus disposed between a pair of structures which are movable relative to each other, comprising a first operating member connected to one of the structure, a second operating member connected to the other structure, and a plastic deformation member made of a superplastic material provided between the first and second operating member and subjected to plastic deformation depending on a relative movement between the first and second operating member, and a combining layer provided between the one operating member and the plastic deformation member and having a plastic yield stress larger than the plastic deformation member, the bonding strength between the combining layer and the plastic deformation member being larger than the plasticity yield stress of the plastic deformation member.