Abstract: There is provided between a needle plate (9, 10) and a slide (6) which is interposed between a trunnion and a track a return spring (14) formed by a wire of resilient metal having at least one coil (C) which surrounds the slide and two end portions (14b) of the wire which are hooked to the needle plate. This spring operates under bending and compressive stress in its mean plane.

Abstract: A driving or driven element 7 to which the double joint 20 is connected and which may undergo movements modifying the operating angle of the joint, is connected to a fixed part 12 of the vehicle through a resiliently yieldable articulation 22 which is roughly centered on the centre of the double joint and has a high tangential flexibility and a high axial rigidity. In this way there is achieved an equal division of the variation in the operating angle between the two articulations of the double joint and consequently optimum operating conditions.

Abstract: Each roller of a joint is mounted not only to slide and rotate on a corresponding arm 8 of a tripod element, but also to pivot about a single axis which is parallel to the general axis of the tripod element. The tripod element is in this way self-retaining axially in the bell element of the joint. The joint has a high capacity for a small volume and a light weight and a high efficiency, even at large break angles of operation, and is suitable for driving the front wheels of automobile vehicles.

Abstract: A row arrangement of needles (17) maintained in a plate (18) is interposed between a raceway (13) and a slide or bush (14) which itself cooperates with a trunnion (11). The needles have a diameter which progressively increases from the center of the row to the end needles so as to achieve a self-centering of the plate.

Abstract: A bearing assembly particularly for the wheel of a motor vehicle wherein a wheel hub and a part of a universal joint are arranged in torque-transmitting engagement, the assembly including an inner race member formed by at least one of the wheel hub and the part of the universal joint in torque-transmitting engagement therewith and an outer race member adapted to be connected with the wheel carrier of the motor vehicle. First and second inner bearing tracks are formed in the inner race member and first and second outer bearing tracks are formed in the outer race member. A first and a second plurality of rolling elements are disposed in operative load-bearing engagement between the first inner and outer bearing tracks and the second inner and outer bearing tracks, respectively, and the outer race member is formed in two separate parts, one part having the first outer bearing track therein and the other part having the second outer bearing track therein.

Abstract: A telescopic homokinetic joint which is capable of filtering vibrations coming from the driving means and is also devoid, or substantially devoid, of periodical internal friction. This result is obtained in a homokinetic joint comprising a first element including three pairs of planes which are evenly angularly spaced apart about a first axis, the planes of each pair being parallel to each other and to said axis, a second element defining three spherical bearing surfaces which are evenly angularly spaced apart about a second axis, and intermediate elements. The intermediate elements comprise planar surfaces which are respectively parallel to the planes and spherical surfaces which cooperate with the spherical bearing surfaces. According to the invention, rolling elements are interposed between the planar surfaces of the intermediate elements and the planes of the first element.

Abstract: In a torque transmitting assembly including a driven member and a driving member, one having teeth thereon extending parallel to the rotational axis and the other having teeth thereon extending obliquely to the rotational axis, an annular member is interposed which also has teeth which are parallel to the rotational axis and oblique to the rotational axis for engaging with the corresponding teeth of the driving and driven members in order to place them in torque transmitting engagement with each other. The annular member is formed from a deformable metallic material and the obliquely extending teeth extend relative to the parallel teeth at an angle of between 15.degree. and 45.degree..

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a wheel hub driven from a universal joint including an outer race attached to the wheel carrier of a motor vehicle having first and second outer bearing tracks thereon and an inner race having first and second inner bearing tracks thereon, the first bearing tracks being formed by a tubular projection of the universal joint and the second bearing tracks being formed by a tubular projection of the wheel hub. First and second bearing elements are interposed respectively betwen the first inner and outer tracks and the second inner and outer tracks and a sleeve extending within inner juxtaposed surfaces formed by the first and second tubular projections operates to place the universal joint in torque-transmitting engagement with the wheel hub and to restrain the tubular projections against relative axial displacement.

Abstract: This joint comprises rollers (106) and rolling tracks (102,103) which are unsymmetrical relative to a diametrical plane (D) perpendicular to the axis of the trunnion (105), the facing surfaces of the roller and the rolling tracks being larger on the side of this plane located radially adjacent the exterior of the joint, while the needles are disposed symmetrically relative to this plane. In this way, there is obtained a joint which is capable of rotating at high speed (for example 6,000 rpm) while performing in an excellent manner.

Abstract: Each arm of a tripod element of a joint has a spherical region. A roller maintained in the plane of two runways therefor provided in a barrel of the joint and having a convex toric inner surface is mounted on the spherical region by means of a ring arrangement of rolling elements having a periphery which has a curvilinear concave shape in axial section of the rolling elements. The mutual contact between the rolling elements prevents the rollers from coming away from the spherical regions.

Abstract: In a transmission joint for rotating at high speed, a sealing device ensuring the retention of the lubricant comprises a bellows 9 of an elastomer and having an end wall 21 which is oriented radially and terminates in a heel portion 13 gripped in an annular groove 8 provided at the free end of a cap 4 surrounding one of the elements of the joint. In this way, there is obtained a minimum overall axial size of the joint and a good performance notwithstanding the effects of centrifugal force.

Abstract: A unit comprising a transmission shaft and elements of constant-speed joints connected to such shaft has a moment of inertia I.sub.G about an axis perpendicular to the transmission shaft and passing through the center of gravity of the unit which is defined by the relation I.sub.G =m.multidot.h.multidot.l, in which m is the mass of the unit and h and l are the distances between the articulation centers of the two joints and the center of gravity. This arrangement prevents radial vibrations of a driving shaft in the region of the joint to be connected to a wheel.

Abstract: Each arm of a male element of a joint carries two roller sectors which are rotatively and slidably mounted on the arm, independent from each other and externally toric. The joint is of small size and has no angular play between the roller sectors and respective tracks.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to achieve a reduced cost, great lightness and possibility of mass-production of the coupling while of course retaining the qualities of a very free sliding, reliability and long life. Such qualities should in particular permit an application of the coupling in the automobile industry. The coupling is of the type comprising a cylindrical tubular sleeve which has generatrices parallel to the direction of sliding and which is intended to be fixed to one of two elements to be coupled. The sleeve defines at least two runways for at least two rollers rotatively mounted on trunnions rigid with a rod which is intended to be fixed to the other of the elements to be coupled. At the end of the sleeve opposed to the end fixed to the element to be coupled, there is provided a cover which is fixed to the sleeve by an elastically yieldable fastener.

Abstract: A constant speed joint differs from the prior art in particular by the fact that it does not include rolling members. The joint includes a bell element, a spider element and three yokes which are mounted, on one hand, at the ends thereof on the bell element to pivot about first axes and, on the other hand, in the central part thereof, on the spider element by means of double pivotal mountings allowing pivotal motion about second and third axes, the pivotal mounting having the third axis also allowing a sliding motion.

Abstract: A telescopic homokinetic joint which is capable of filtering vibrations coming from the driving means and is also devoid, or substantially devoid, of periodical internal friction. This result is obtained in a homokinetic joint comprising a first element including three pairs of planes which are evenly angularly spaced apart about a first axis, the planes of each pair being parallel to each other and to said axis, a second element defining three spherical bearing surfaces which are evenly angularly spaced apart about a second axis, and intermediate elements. The intermediate elements comprise planar surfaces which are respectively parallel to the planes and spherical surfaces which cooperate with the spherical bearing surfaces. According to the invention, rolling elements are interposed between the planar surfaces of the intermediate elements and the planes of the first element.

Abstract: An articulated transmission joint includes a plurality of arms, each arm carrying a roller. Each roller is biased axially outwardly of the respective arm by an elastically yieldable device which is operative between a washer rigid with a hub carrying the arms of the joint and the inner end of a groove formed in the axially inner face of the roller. The elastically yieldable device is fully withdrawable into the groove when it is compressed so as to avoid reducing the effective thickness of the hub.

Abstract: A homokinetic tripod joint includes a first element connected to rotate with a tripod element having rollers and a second element having runways for the rollers. The first and second elements form a ball and socket connection with the first and second elements having, respectively, complementary concave and convex spherical surfaces. The joint includes a bayonet connection having recesses in the concave spherical surface of the first element and corresponding segments on the convex spherical surface of the second element the joint also includes an abutment member having a convex spherical surface with a shape complementary to the second element.

Abstract: A homokinetic joint includes rollers mounted to swivel on the spherical ends of arms of a tripod element by means of free diabolo-shaped rolling elements. Three pairs of runways are provided in a bowl element for the rollers. These runways are curved in planes parallel to an axial plane of the bowl element. Two floating rings maintain the mean planes of the rollers parallel to one another. The tripod element is in this way axially retained in the bowl element by the retention of the rollers in the runways axially of the bowl element by a combined effect of the curved shape of the runways and the maintenance of the mean planes of the rollers parallel to one another, with no need for other devices. This joint is compact, highly efficient, and has a high torque-transmitting capacity and a large break angle.

Abstract: The coupling comprises a plate rigid with each shaft and a floating intermediate device connected to each of the two plates. The floating device comprises at least three levers which are assembled by a center articulation. Each of the levers is connected by a radially slidable ball joint at one end to one of the plates, and at the other end to the other plate. At least one of the ball joints of each lever is axially fixed.