Abstract: A centering device for tubularly shaped flexible element couplings that includes a ball retained in a socket and a pin extending through an aperture of the ball, the pin having stop means which allows axial pin movement but prevents the pin from extracting from the ball aperture.

Abstract: Gyroscope instrumentation for providing stabilization of the direction of a ine-of-sight of more than 45.degree. about one or more axes is described utilizing a two axes optical system. An inner gimbal supports a gyro rotor and a first mirror diagonal with a clearance window to admit light. The gyro rotor keeps the first mirror aligned in a fixed direction relative to an inner gimbal axis. The inner gimbal is supported by an outer gimbal. The outer gimbal has a second mirror mounted on it. The gyro rotor keeps the second mirror aligned with the outer gimbal axis. The net effect is that the optical axis at the input has a fixed orientation in space and the optical axis at the output axis has a fixed orientation relative to a platform on which the system is mounted.

Abstract: Axle case comprising a tube, a substantially semispherical first member integral with the tube and a substantially semispherical second member connected to the first member and rotatable relative thereto.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint for the transmission of torque between driving and driven shafts having a member secured to one of the shafts on which are mounted a plurality of trunnions each having a partial ball member slidably and rotationally mounted thereon. The ball members have a generally spherical outer surface and the other shaft has a member thereon having at least three cooperating grooves therein which receive the ball members. A torque transmitting member is connected to the one shaft and to the outer end of the trunnions whereby torque is transmitted through the outer end of the trunnions as well as at the connection of the trunnions to provide for parallel torque paths into the trunnions to prevent distortion and failure thereof during operation.

Abstract: An adapter for installation of the spindle of a portable hand held drill motor and arranged to drive a cutting tool, such as a taper lock reamer. The adapter permits universal movement between the input shaft connected to the spindle of the portable hand held drill motor and the cutting tool and includes means for adjustably regulating the freedom of movement while, dampening any shock transmitted from the cutting tool through the adapter.

Abstract: For mechanically filtering movement transmitted by a step-by-step motor to a member to be driven in rotation, a coil spring in an axial bore of the motor shaft has one end rigid with the shaft and the other end rigid with the member to be driven and is axially pre-stressed to urge a damping member, rigid with the member to be driven, into frictional contact with the shaft.

Abstract: An impact absorbing device for protecting a rotatable member of a motor powered machine tool feed mechanism from excessive impact and overload is disclosed. The device includes structure forming a flanged piston concentrically mounted with respect to the rotatable member and axially slidable within a housing in response to axial displacement of the rotatable member, (which is undesirable and thrust and radial bearing structure in which the rotatable member is journaled for rotative displacement. The housing and the flanged piston combine to define a pressure chamber whose volume varies as a function of the axial position of the piston. The pressure chamber is connected to a source of fluid under pressure, to cause the piston to yieldingly resist axial displacement of the rotatable member with respect to the housing.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to inertial energy storage devices formed of wound anisotropic material. In particular, the invention provides a disc-like flywheel formed of windings of anisotropic filaments wherein the filaments are provided with a relatively thin sheath of flexible material around each of the filaments, the flexible sheath providing positive contact between adjacent windings even during deformation of the windings caused by rotation of the structure.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint has outer and inner joint members with opposed grooves and balls in opposed pairs of the grooves to transmit torque. A cage between the joint members is provided with a number of radial openings to retain the balls in a plane which bisects the angle between the inner and outer joint members formed when the joint is bent and which is at right angles to the cage. The balls engage surfaces of the radial openings which are parallel with the plane and at least on one side of each ball there is provided a supporting plate which engages the ball by a concave spherical surface or a ball groove and which contacts a surface of the cage opening with a planar face. The balls may also be retained within the openings by means of a supporting ring which may be fixed in the opening or capable of movement therein.

Abstract: A hub element of the vibration damper is adapted for connection to a shaft and has a first circumferentially extending support surface. An inertia element surrounds the hub element and has a circumferentially extending second support surface. An elastomeric member is compressed between these surfaces and mounts the inertia element on the hub element with freedom of vibration. An arrangement is provided on one or the other of the elements for continuously varying the characteristic frequency of vibration of the damper, by subjecting the elastomeric member in axial or radial direction to continuously variable compression.

Abstract: The invention relates to rotary inertial energy storage devices comprised of wound filaments or discrete rings of essentially anisotropic material formed into a rim or disc-like configuration. Pairs of adjacent rings or windings in any given plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the present structure are tied or bonded together at discrete peripheral points at selected locations while adjacent rings which are not bound at these first-mentioned tie points are tied together at other peripheral points interdigitated between said first-mentioned tie points. These points of connection extend linearly throughout the structure.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint has an outer joint member with an axial bore therethrough and an inner joint member within the bore. A plurality of torque transmitting elements, such as balls, are positioned within pairs of opposed grooves formed in the facing surfaces of the inner and outer joint members. The balls are retained in a ball plane in openings in a cage positioned between the inner and outer joint members. The number of balls is at least six and is divisible by a whole number larger than one but less than the number of balls. The balls are so disposed around the axis of the joint that no one ball is diametrically opposed from any other ball.

Abstract: A constant velocity torque transmitting joint comprises an outer joint member having a bore therethrough and an inner joint member positioned within the bore. A plurality of torque transmitting elements, such as balls, are positioned within pairs of opposed grooves formed in the facing surfaces of the inner and outer joint elements. A cage is disposed between the joint elements and has a plurality of openings to retain the balls therein. The cage has an inner concave surface guided upon a convex spherical surface of the inner joint member and an outer spherical surface guided within the bore. The cage comprises a plurality of individual segments each of which receives at least one torque transmitting element and the segments are supported in the radial direction either by direct mutual engagement or by a retaining ring.

Abstract: A pushbutton tuner for a radio receiver such as an auto radio has a pair of turn plates rotatable about axes and first and second link members extending between and pivotally connected to said first and second turn plates to form a link work. An auxiliary link member is pivotally connected to each of said first and second turn plates at a point coincident with the apex of a triangle having its bottom side formed by a line joining the points at which each turn plate is pivotally connected to said first and second link members. Pushbuttons are mounted on pushbutton stems which carry regulating segments which, when the pushbuttons are pushed, are urged against the first and second link members to move the same so that the first and second turn plates are rotated. Variable elements are operatively connected to the first and second turn plates and are movable relative to turning elements when the first and second turn plates are rotated whereby a tuned state is obtainable.

Abstract: A telescopic drive line includes an inner square drive shaft and an outer drive tube having a square bore at one end. A liner in the bore has a Teflon fabric inner surface providing a low-friction bearing with a low breakaway force. Radial force applied to the liner secures it axially in this bore so that only the simplest means of endwise securement is required.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint comprises an outer joint member with a hollow interior and grooves formed in the interior surface thereof. An inner joint member is within the outer joint member and has a plurality of grooves in its outer surface such that a groove of the outer member and a groove of the inner member jointly receive a ball which contacts a surface of each groove at one point under a torque load. A cage is disposed between the joint members and has a plurality of radial openings to retain the balls therein. Each of the grooves is constructed with a surface to provide a further point of contact by the balls under all bending angles of the joint and under torque load.

Abstract: A flexible coupling, for transmitting a great amount of torque from a drive shaft to a driven shaft by directing tensile force to act on connecting members, includes a pair of hub members mounted respectively on the drive shaft and the driven shaft, each hub member having two flanges with a space therebetween in the axial direction of the hub member. Each flange has projections projecting in the radial direction of the flange, each projection peripherally adjoining void spaces. The hub members as a pair are so constructed as to enable the projections of the flanges of one hub member to fit into the void spaces of the flanges of the other hub member, leaving a clearance between any facing portions of the flanges of the facing hub members with no contact therebetween. Retaining members are provided, each such member extending parallel to the axis of the hub member and having both ends thereof supported by the projections of the two facing flanges of each of the facing hub members.

Abstract: A flexible coupling has a pair of hub members each having a flange and being connected, respectively, with a drive shaft and a driven shaft, and a main set mounted for free removal between the flanges of the respective hub members facing each other, said main set having a pair of disks and a plurality of connecting members, each connecting member being composed of connecting elements in the form of layers each made of resilient thin sheet material, the disks each having a plurality of pins fixed perpendicularly on the surface of the disk in an arrangement in which each two adjacent pins have an equal distance between them along the circumferential direction of the disks, the disks facing each other with the pins on each disk projecting toward the opposite disk so that the pins of the respective disks facing each other are arranged alternately side by side with an equal distance between any two adjacent pins, the connecting members being connected between adjacent pins to form polygonal links between the disks

Abstract: A coupling for joining two co-axial shafts, for both rotation and in the axial direction, comprising a male part integral with one of said shafts, a set of teeth for rotatably driving on said male part, a female part on the other of said shafts, a conjugate set of teeth on said female part, said one part being engaged in said other part with a certain amount of radial play which allows the axis of the set of teeth of the male part the function of pivoting slightly with respect to the axis of the set of teeth of the female part, and means for axial interconnection of the two shafts, said means comprising a ball carried by the end of said one shaft adjacent said male part, two cups axially connected to said other shaft, and having conjugate surfaces between in which said ball is closely held, means mounting said cups in such a manner that said cups are slightly displaceable in the radial direction relative to said other shaft, the two sets of teeth having profiles which permit the axes of the two shafts to pivo

Abstract: An improved flexible coupling assembly for connecting a driving member to a driven member and includes two spaced circular end plates, one for securing to the driving member and one for securing to the driven member, the end plates being interconnected by a one-piece flexible plastic molded body having a plurality of bowed ribs which compensates for axial and lateral displacement between the end plates.