Abstract: In a friction agitation joining method for joining metallic joining members, a joining device having a column-shaped rotor of a larger diameter and a pin-shaped probe of a smaller diameter integrally formed on an end of the rotor and protruded along an axis of the rotor is used for joining the metallic joining members. The probe is rotated and inserted into or around a butted portion of the joining members to soften a contact portion contacted by the probe by friction heat and to agitate the contact portion so that the joining members are butt joined. Each joining member has a thick portion at a butting side thereof The rotating rotor is contacted to the thick portions under pressure to soften the thick portions by friction heat so that a gap formed at the butted portion is filled with the materials of the softened thick portions.

Abstract: A pulley assembly of a belt type continuously variable transmission having a stationary sheave, a moving sheave and a hydraulic actuator connected at an edge thereof with the moving sheave for controlling a groove width between the stationary sheave and the moving sheave comprises, an annular groove provided at the back face of the moving sheave and an annular projection provided on the bottom surface of the annular groove for regulating a plastic flow of the edge into a fork-shape when the edge is caulked into the annular groove. Thus constituted structure of the pulley assembly provides an enough connecting strength between the hydraulic actuator and the moving sheave with a small amount of caulking.