Abstract: A tandem roller skate employing a suspension system by which the tandem positioned wheels are articulated relative to each other through a truck and beam arrangement to absorb loads imposed on any one wheel and transmit the load to the other of the wheels. A braking arrangement is formed by a leaf spring positioned to selectively engage either a forward or rearward wheel of the skate to exert a variable frictional load impeding rotational movement.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system which includes longitudinally extending suspension rails supporting the wheels of the vehicle with the rails being interconnected by a transverse beam and with transversley extending leaf spring assemblies. The leaf spring assemblies also are connected to the body or frame of a vehicle and loads imposed on any one of the wheels is transmitted through the rails, the transverse beam and the leaf spring assemblies to the remaining wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mechanism for reciprocating heavy loads such as pile drivers or pumping mechanism for deep wells in which the load to be reciprocated vertically is counter-balanced through a pair of swinging arms each of which has a pair of hair-pin type torsion springs and in which the arms are joined together through a linkage and connected to the load to be reciprocated to convert the arcuate swinging movement of the arms to vertical movement of the load.

Abstract: A windmill structure including a mounting for supporting one or a large number of windmills in an elevated position above the ground so that the windmills can weathercock and align with the wind. The mounting arrangement limits movement continuously in one direction and returns the windmill to its original position after it has turned in the same direction a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A blade for windmills fabricated of sheet metal to form a generally hollow structure containing a reinforcing member. The surfaces of the blade are such that the forward surface is flat and rear of the blade is formed by two surfaces which extend in opposite directions from a line extending from a radially inner point at a rearward side of the pitch axis of the blade to a point at the radial outer end and forward of the pitch axis of the blade.

Abstract: A windmill having a plurality of pairs of diametrically opposed vanes mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in alignment with the wind. The pairs of vanes are supported in uniformly spaced relationship to each other axially of the axis of rotation and each successive pair is indexed circumferentialy in the direction of rotation relative to the prior pair. The vanes are automatically moved to a less efficient position as the speed of the wind increases to limit the maximum speed of the windmill.

Abstract: A tie rod end assembly for a motor vehicle steering linkage system and the method for making the assembly is disclosed. The tie rod end comprises first and second housing parts that are stamped of sheet metal and have substantially identical configuration. Each part has a semi-cylindrical stem portion and an eye portion. The eye portion has a generally channel shape in cross section with an inner frusto-conical wall and an outer curved wall that is a continuation of the wall forming the stem portion. The two housing parts are fitted together and welded along the abutting edges of the outer walls and stem portions. The inner walls define a convergent-divergent opening in which an annular elastomeric bushing is fitted. The stem portions of the two housings are internally threaded for attachment to a steering member and a fastener is fitted through the elastomeric bushing for attachment to another steering member.

Abstract: A preloaded tie-rod end assembly for a motor vehicle steering system and a method for making the assembly is disclosed. The tie rod end is made by positioning the ball of a ball stud against a pair of frangible bearings within the socket portion of a tie rod end housing. A plastically deformable element is also situated within the housing. A closure member for the housing exerts a force against the bearings during the assembly operation and causes each bearing to fracture into circumferentially spaced bearing pieces. After the tie rod end is assembled, an axial load is placed upon the ball stud which is transferred to the deformable element thereby causing it to deform. The element is deformed to the extent necessary to bring the frictional resistance to rotation of the ball stud about its own axis within a prescribed torque range.

Abstract: A preloaded tie rod end assembly for a motor vehicle steering system and a method for making the assembly is disclosed. The tie rod end is made by positioning the ball of a ball stud against a pair of frangible bearings within the socket portion of a tie rod end housing. A plastically deformable element is also situated within the housing. A closure member for the housing exerts a force against the bearings during the assembly operation and causes each bearing to fracture into circumferentially spaced bearing pieces. After the tie rod end is assembled, an axial load is placed upon the ball stud which is transferred to the deformable element thereby causing it to deform. The element is deformed to the extent necessary to bring the frictional resistance to rotation of the ball stud about its own axis within a prescribed torque range.

Abstract: A ball joint suspension for a motor vehicle is disclosed. A torsion bar spring has laterally extending left and right wheel positioning portions of generally Y-shape. The outer ends of these portions each comprise parallel bars that are interconnected by a small loop. A ball joint has its socket press-fitted into the small loop and its ball stud secured to a wheel support member.

Abstract: A preloaded tie rod end assembly for a motor vehicle steering system and the method for making the assembly is disclosed. The tie rod end is made by positioning first and second frangible bearings against the ball of a ball stud and enclosing the ball and bearings in first and second housings each of which has a socket part and a stem part. A plastically deformable element is also situated within the socket formed by the two socket parts. The two housings are held together under a compressive load while their abutting edges are butt welded. The imposition of this load during the welding operation causes the frangible bearings to each fracture into a plurality of self-aligning bearing pieces. The deformable element is plastically deformed by exerting a force on the ball stud whereby a portion of the preload of the joint is relieved. The preload is relieved to the extent necessary to bring the frictional resistance to rotation of the ball stud within a prescribed torque range.

Abstract: A motor vehicle rear suspension has wheels rotatably supported at the outer ends of an axle that is positioned by a longitudinally extending upper arm and left and right laterally extending suspension arms connected to the vehicle body by compression loaded links. A torsion bar has a transverse portion supported on the vehicle body and longitudinal end portions connected to the laterally extending suspension arms. The bar functions as a main suspension spring for the rear wheels, as a positioning member for the lateral arms and as an anti-roll stabilizer bar.

Abstract: A suspension arm and joint assembly for a motor vehicle suspension system and a method for making the assembly is disclosed. The assembly is manufactured by first stamping a sheet metal suspension arm with an inner portion constructed to be pivotally connected to a vehicle chassis member and an outer portion with a recessed socket configuration. A plastically deformable element is situated within the socket and a frangible bearing is positioned adjacent the deformable element. The ball of a ball stud engages the bearing. A second frangible bearing is placed in engagement with the ball. A second socket part exerts a force against the bearings during the assembly of the joint and causes each bearing to fracture into circumferentially spaced bearing pieces. The second socket part is secured to the suspension arm stamping while retaining the load upon the bearings whereby the ball and socket joint thus formed is preloaded.

Abstract: A preloaded tie rod assembly for a motor vehicle steering system and the method for making the assembly is disclosed. The tie rod end is made by positioning first and second frangible bearings against the ball of a ball stud and enclosing the ball and bearings in first and second housings each of which has a socket part and a stem part. A plastically deformable element is also situated within the socket formed by the two socket parts. The two housings are held together under a compressive load while their abutting edges are butt welded. The imposition of this load during the welding operation causes the frangible bearings to each fracture into a plurality of self-aligning bearing pieces. The deformable element is plastically deformed by exerting a force on the ball stud whereby a portion of the preload of the joint is relieved. The preload is relieved to the extent necessary to bring the frictional resistance to rotation of the ball stud within a prescribed torque range.

Abstract: An interconnected suspension system for a motor vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a one-piece torsion bar which functions as the left and right front wheel positioning members, the left and right front suspension springs and the front roll stabilizer bar. The rear suspension has wheels rotatably supported at the outer ends of an axle which is positioned by a longitudinally extending upper arm and left and right laterally extending suspension arms. A rear torsion bar has a transverse portion supported on the vehicle body and end portions connected to the laterally extending rear suspension arms. The rear bar functions as a main suspension spring for the rear wheels, as a positioning member for the lateral arms and as an anti-roll stabilizer bar. Left and right generally longitudinally extending torsion bars interconnect left and right portions of the front torsion bar with the left and right rear suspension arms, respectively.

Abstract: An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle is disclosed having left and right road wheels rotatably supported by left and right wheel support members. Each of the wheel support members is positioned by laterally extending upper and lower suspension arms. A pair of torsion bar springs interconnect the left and right lower suspension arms and function as main suspension springs, as anti-roll stabilizers and as drag struts locating the suspension arms longitudinally. The torsion bars have single loops or coils in their drag strut portions to provide a desired low spring rate for the suspension.

Abstract: An independent front suspension for a motor vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a one-piece torsion bar which functions as the left and right front wheel positioning members, the left and right front suspension springs and the front anti-roll stabilizer bar. The torsion bar has integral left and right lateral portions of generally Y-shape that are supported on the vehicle frame by mounts located fore and aft the axis of rotation of the vehicle's front wheels. The outer ends of the Y-shape portions are coupled to the wheel support members by ball joints.

Abstract: A preloaded tie rod end assembly for a motor vehicle steering system and a method for making the assembly is disclosed. The tie rod end is made by positioning the ball of a ball stud against a pair of frangible bearings within the socket portion of a tie rod end housing. A plastically deformable element is also situated within the housing. A closure member for the housing exerts a force against the bearings during the assembly operation and causes each bearing to fracture into circumferentially spaced bearing pieces. After the tie rod end is assembled, an axial load is placed upon the ball stud which is transferred to the deformable element thereby causing it to deform. The element is deformed to the extent necessary to bring the frictional resistance to rotation of the ball stud about its own axis within a prescribed torque range.

Abstract: A torsion bar spring suspension for the front wheels of a motor vehicle is disclosed. A continuous torsion bar spring that is formed into the shape of a closed figure has transverse portions that are situated fore and aft the axis of rotation of the front wheels and extend across the vehicle frame. The torsion bar has single loops or coils at each of the outer ends of the transverse portions and these loops are connected by resilient devices to the vehicle frame. Left and right generally Y-shape portions of the torsion bar connect left and right wheel support members to the loops at the ends of the transverse bar portions.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension for a motor vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a wheel support member that rotatably supports a road wheel, a laterally extending suspension arm connecting the support member to vehicle body structure and a vertically extending telescopic suspension strut which has its upper end connected to the body structure and its lower end connected to the wheel support member. An elastomeric sleeve surrounds the lower end of the strut and is enclosed by a C-shape clamp that secures the strut to the wheel support member. The elastomeric sleeve permits limited relative movement between the wheel support member and the strut whereby wheel vibrations and noise are isolated from the suspension strut and the vehicle body.