Abstract: Two spherical self-aligning bearings are interconnected by a collar or housing for the transmission of push and pull forces for obviating misalignment problems that arise, particularly in aircraft. In a modification the collar or housing itself may be formed so as to be a part, i.e. the outer race member of one or both of such bearings.

Abstract: A self-aligning bearing and a method of forming and mounting such bearing such that it may be conveniently removed and replaced from an apertured portion of a supporting wall under conditions when access is had to one side of the wall and only limited access to the other side of the wall is available thereby obviating the necessity of expensive and time-consuming removal and replacement of constructional parts that would otherwise deny access to such other side of the wall. This in general, is accomplished by forming an apertured ball within an outer race member, threading and notching opposite ends of the race member to provide a notched portion and a threaded portion at each end of the race member, and threading a separate nut on each of the threaded portions with a deformable ring interposed between the corresponding wall and nut. Each ring has a first tab that engages a corresponding notch and a second tab that is engageable with a flat portion of a corresponding nut upon deformation of said second tab.

Abstract: A train coupling system includes a turnbuckle shaft having opposite ends threaded into rod end bearings. Each of such bearings includes a ball secured in a clevis and each such clevis in turn, is pivotally mounted in a clevis on a corresponding train car such that there is automatic alignment when and as the train cars travel on the road bed.