Abstract: An independent wheel suspension system having a differential with an output axis therethrough, the differential being coupled to a transverse support tube pivotable about a transverse axis therethrough and by an inboard constant velocity universal joint to a wheel assembly, the wheel assembly being coupled by an arm to a torsion rod carried by the transverse support tube and pivotable about a swing axis through the inboard constant velocity universal joint, whereby the differential is adapted to pivot relative to each of the output, the transverse and the swing axes.

Abstract: A joint between a pair of longitudinal members, one of which is formed of fiber-reinforced plastic having fibers wound at a fiber angle .alpha. taken relative to a longitudinal angle of the member, and the other of which is made of metal, e.g., steel. The plastic member is formed with an integral flange extending at a flange angle .beta. and the other member is formed with a flange having a frustoconical surface in abutment with the flange of the plastic member. The relationship .beta..ltoreq..alpha. is maintained to ensure that the flange on the plastic member is wound on a geodetic plane thereby becoming nonslip.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension system having a pair of wheel assemblies, a transverse support member rotatably connected between side frame members of the vehicle frame to pivot about a transverse pivot axis, a differential attached to the transverse support member, a prop shaft coupling the differential and the vehicle engine with universal joints, one of the joints being of the constant velocity plunging type, and a trailing arm pivotably connecting each wheel assembly to the transverse support member, the trailing arm having a wheel end coupled to the wheel assembly and a pair of spaced-apart support sections defining a swing axis therebetween pivotably coupled to the transverse support member so that the swing axis is substantially perpendicular to the wheel axis of the wheel assembly and substantially parallel to the prop shaft axis of the prop shaft, whereby relative motion is allowed about the swing axis between the differential and the wheel assembly while also permitting relative motion about the tr

Abstract: A universal joint of the type utilizing spherical roller balls to transmit torque or power between an inner joint member and an outer joint member. The balls roll in a recess in the inner joint member and each ball rolls in a rectilinear recess in the outer joint member, with such rolling action permitting and resulting from the articulation of the joint. Each recess in the outer joint member has at least a major portion that has a radial extent, from the central axis of the joint, that follows a curvilinear configuration to provide a maximum radial extent when the inner and outer joint members are aligned, through a gradually reducing radial extent as the joint is articulated, in order to provide a substantial constant depth of penetration of each ball into its outer joint member recess throughout the range of articulation of the joint.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension system having a differential with an output axis therethrough, the differential being coupled to a transverse support tube pivotable about a transverse axis therethrough and by an inboard constant velocity universal joint to a wheel assembly, the wheel assembly being coupled by an arm to a torsion rod carried by the transverse support tube and pivotable about a swing axis through the inboard constant velocity universal joint, whereby the differential is adapted to pivot relative to each of the output, the transverse and the swing axes.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension system having an angle of at least five degrees between a wheel axis and a drive axis, the drive axis being established by a drive shaft coupling an outboard constant velocity joint within a wheel assembly with an inboard constant velocity universal joint within a differential housing, the independent wheel suspension system also has a swing arm coupling the wheel assembly to the vehicle frame and an angle of less than thirty degrees between the wheel axis and a swing axis, the swing axis being established through the center of the inboard constant velocity universal joint and a single pivot member coupling the swing arm to a transverse frame member of a vehicle frame.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a motor vehicle including a bearing assembly rotatably mounting a wheel and a universal joint for driving the wheel. An inner bearing ring of the wheel assembly is fitted in rotative driving engagement with the outer joint member of the universal joint and an outer circumferential portion of the inner bearing ring is formed with a configuration generally corresponding with the configuration of an inner contour of the outer joint member to establish a form-fitted rotative driving connection between the universal joint and the bearing assembly. A securing ring is provided for maintaining the inner bearing ring and the outer joint member axially fixed relative to each other and the fitted connection is formed with interfitting recesses and projections.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension system having at least two indispensable suspension members, the first of which includes two couplings one of which is a constant velocity universal joint connected by a drive shaft to the other coupling, the balls of the constant velocity universal joint carrying driving torque and the inner and outer members of the constant velocity universal joint carrying thrust loads generated externally of the constant velocity universal joint, both indispensable suspension members swinging about the articulation axis of the constant velocity universal joint about a swing axis therethrough and a pivot supporting the second indispensable suspension member from the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A universal joint wherein torque-transmitting balls are engaged between complementary grooves formed in an inner and outer joint member, with the balls being supported by a supporting element which is arranged in a jaw-like opening formed on one side of the universal joint through which the balls may be inserted in operative engagement within the joint. The invention is directed toward the curvature of the grooves which are arranged in such a way that a connecting line extending between the center of the radius of curvature of the grooves and the center of the torque-transmitting balls forms an angle relative to the central axis of rotation of the joint which is smaller than or equal to 85.degree., the angle being taken in accordance with the arcsine of the projection of the center of the radius of curvature of the grooves and the ball center onto a vertical plane extending perpendicularly relative to the axis of rotation of the joint, divided by the length of the radius of curvature.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension system having a pair of spaced-apart wheel assemblies, a stabilizer rod having end portions rotatably supported by respective side frame members of the vehicle frame about a transverse pivot axis, a pair of trailing arms having one end coupled to a respective wheel assembly and another end fixed to the stabilizer rod wherby the stabilizer rod cooperates with the trailing arms to restrain relative motion of one wheel assembly relative to the other about the transverse pivot axis, a non-metallic stabilizer tube resiliently supported by the stabilizer rod intermediate the trailing arms, a differential attached by a mounting plate to the stabilizer tube to allow relative movement between the differential and the frame about the transverse pivot axis, and a prop shaft coupling the differential and the engine with only one universal joint, that joint being of the constant velocity plunging type, whereby the movement of the differential relative to the frame about the transverse pivot

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension system having a transverse support member attached between the side frame members of a vehicle frame, a semi-trailing arm having a wheel end coupled to the wheel assembly and a pair of spaced-apart support sections pivotably coupled to the transverse support member, a differential rotatably coupled to the transverse support member to allow relative movement therebetween about a transverse pivot axis, and a prop shaft coupling the differential and engine with only one universal joint, that joint being of the constant velocity plunging type, whereby the differential is allowed to pivot about the transverse pivot axis to accommodate articulation between the prop shaft and the engine.

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 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: A universal joint assembly including a universally jointed transmission shaft formed with a tubular portion and made of fiber reinforced plastic material wherein a pair of opposed axially extending arms are provided on the shaft beyond the tubular portion, the arms being provided with bores which support therein opposed trunnions of a cross member of the universal joint, the arms being connected in supporting engagement by a reinforcing member which extends diametrically therebetween, the reinforcing member comprising a generally U-shaped bracket having limbs which engage the arm portions and a body portion extending between the limbs.

Abstract: A wheel hub assembly includes an internally ventilated brake disc. The brake disc is mounted on a flange-like extension of the inner bearing ring of the assembly. Slots are formed in the flange-like extension and the brake disc acts as a cover over the slots forming cooling channels extending radially outwardly in the wheel hub assembly to the cooling apertures in the radially outer part of the brake disc. A heat insulated cover disc can be positioned between the brake disc and the slots in the flange-like extension.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly particulary suited for power transmission in motor vehicles wherein a drive shaft has a universal joint connected to at least one end thereof with a sealing boot attached in sealing engagement between the outer joint member of the universal joint and the drive shaft. The invention is particularly directed to the provision of an elastomeric cover on the outer surface of the drive shaft, the elastomeric cover extending along the shaft from the exterior of the sealing boot to within the region enclosed by the boot in order to provide an arrangement which is resistant to damage, corrosion, and wear and which may be conveniently fitted and assembled. The elastomeric cover may be provided with internal ribs to establish ventilation channels for the shaft assembly.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly which consists essentially of two shaft parts both made of fiber reinforced plastic material at least one having a circumferential radially outwardly extending fold formation provided for enabling articulation of the shaft assembly with an intermediate support bearing being located between the two shaft parts, the support bearing having an inner race positioned by steps at the region of connection between the two shaft parts in such a way that the intermediate bearing forms an integral part of the shaft and is assembled so as to form a permanent connection.

Abstract: In an angularly movable universal joint, an inner joint member fits into a hollow space within an outer joint member. The surface of the outer joint member within the hollow space contains uniformly circumferentially spaced axially extending grooves. Radially directed openings are located in the inner joint member facing the grooves. At least partly spherically shaped rolling members are placed in the openings and the grooves for transferring torque between the two parts of the universal joint. Adjacent rolling members are arranged so that they contact one another along spherically shaped surfaces. Balls can be used as the rolling members.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly particularly for use in driving the wheels of a motor vehicle having a first universal joint and a second universal joint with an intermediate shaft interconnecting the two joints, the intermediate shaft being made of fiber reinforced plastic material and being formed integrally with a component of at least one of the universal joints.

Abstract: A wheel hub assembly for a motor vehicle wherein the inner race of the wheel bearing mechanism is formed on a hub member of the assembly with a spigot axially extending from one end of the hub member having mounted thereon the inner joint member of a universal joint. The inner joint member is attached to the spigot by a retaining ring and a collar is provided on the hub member having an open end facing toward the universal joint and arranged to provide a space between the outer joint member of the universal joint and the collar to permit access to the retaining ring for facilitating assembly and disassembly between the universal joint and the wheel hub assembly.