Abstract: A torque rod for a heavy duty motor vehicle includes a shaft and two ends, each end being selectively attachable to points on the vehicle's chassis. The rod is composed of a polymerizable composite material. The shaft is either of solid, hollow, or layered composition. As an option, the shaft includes two adjustably interlocking halves enclosed and overlapped by a slidable sleeve. The sleeve is provided with a hole for the insertion of a bonding and filling material to fix the selected interlocked position to fit the chassis as needed.

Abstract: A compound bearing consisting of an outer and an inner member movable relative to each other and between which are disposed load carrying annular members. The load carrying annular members comprise a pair of elastomeric rings held between the outer and inner members under compression, and a metallic ring insert disposed between and separating the two elastomeric rings. A narrow clearance is provided between the peripheral surface of the metallic ring insert and the inner surface of the bearing outer member, and between the metallic ring inner surface and the inner member peripheral surface. Normal loads are taken and absorbed by the elastomeric rings, while overloads and shock loads are taken by the metallic ring insert.

Abstract: A compound bearing consisting of an outer and an inner member movable relative to each other and between which are disposed load carrying annular members. The load carrying annular members comprise a pair of deformable plastic rings held between the outer and inner members under compression, and a metallic ring insert disposed between and separating the two deformable rings. The outer member is formed of two cup-shaped tubular members press-fitted over the metallic ring insert.

Abstract: A compound bearing having a shell defining a cylindrical bore in which is installed the bearing inner member, a bearing ring of ultra high molecular weight polymer being disposed within the shell cylindrical bore between the bore surface and the peripheral surface of the inner member. The polymer bearing ring is extruded in strips cut to length and wrapped around the inner member with abutting ends prior to inserting the ring within the shell bore. In structures wherein the inner member is a spherical member or ball, the strip is extruded with a cylindrical groove on at least one surface such as to form a concave spherical surface when wrapped around the spherical peripheral surface of the inner member.

Abstract: A sealed bearing prepacked with lubricant, and provided with a sealing shell press-fitted over the bearing outer member or housing. The sealing shell has a radially disposed end flange holding the terminal flange of a bellows seal made of elastomeric material and having another end in the form of a garter flange resiliently engaged with the peripheral surface of the inner member of the bearing. Preferably, the sealing shell is made of two half-shells, for facility of assembly.

Abstract: In a ball and socket joint comprising a ball and a socket in mutual swivelling sliding engagement with each other, the ball having a stud integrally formed at one end thereof and projecting outwardly through one end of the socket, the improvement consisting in forming the socket with a diverging frusto-conical flange extending in the direction of the stud and defining an integrally formed retention flange for a flexible oil-resistant seal having a bellows type body provided at one end with an annular band stretched over the periphery of the stud and at the other end with a reinforcing bead stretched over the retention flange.

Abstract: A joint assembly having a socket member, a stud member, and restrainer elements constructed and arranged to prevent the socket and stud members from pivoting relative to each other in one plane containing the longitudinal axis of the stud member while permitting the members to pivot in a plane at a right angle to such one plane and containing such axis and permitting the stud member to rotate on such axis with respect to the socket member.

Abstract: A sealed compound bearing consisting of an outer and an inner member movable relative to each other and between which are disposed load carrying annular members. The load carrying annular members comprise a pair of elastomeric rings held between the outer and inner members under compression, and a metallic ring insert disposed between and separating the two elastomeric rings. A narrow clearance is provided between the peripheral surface of the metallic ring insert and the inner surface of the bearing outer member, and between the metallic ring inner surface and the inner member peripheral surface. Normal loads are taken and absorbed by the elastomeric rings, while overloads and shock loads are taken by the metallic ring insert.

Abstract: A replacement torque rod assembly for field and maintenance installation which includes ball joint assemblies, each having a housing rod extending therefrom to position in butting relation after being cut to a dimension to span a predetermined distance for assembly and a telescoping sleeve overlying the abutting ends and welded to said ends to provide a rigid torque rod for field installation.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a ball and socket type joint of the type using split bearing inserts interposed between a ball and a socket which includes interdigitally engaged bearing inserts installed in the assembly under the pressure of an elastic memory ring to provide the bearing load and a wear take-up, including clearance openings for lubricant dimensioned and positioned to coincide with access grooves to insure lubricant distribution.

Abstract: A resilient coupling assembly having a housing with a generally cylindrical bore therein, a shank with a generally cylindrical portion received in the bore, and a bushing of an elastomeric material interposed between the housing and the cylindrical portion of the shank. A plurality of circumferentially spaced bearing inserts are interposed between the housing and the cylindrical portion of the shank and each received in a bearing retainer passage extending generally radially through the bushing.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly having a ball stud member received in a socket member. The ball of the stud member is retained in a recess in the socket member by a main bearing ring, a pair of wear rings, and a pair of load rings. A lubricating grease is supplied to the interface of the ball of the stud member with the bearing and wear rings by a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves extending generally axially across the bearing and wear rings. The grooves in the wear rings communicate with lubricant reservoirs defined by the housing member in cooperation with a cover and a flexible seal member adjacent opposed polar regions of the ball of the stud member.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly having a ball stud member received in a socket member. The ball of the stud member is retained in a recess of the socket member by a bearing ring urged to bear on the ball by a pair of elastic load rings. A seal received on the socket member defines a lubricant reservoir which is supplied with grease through a grease fitting carried by the socket member. A plurality of passages defined in part by various grooves in the load ring and portions of the bearing ring interconnect the lubricant reservoir, grease fitting and interface of the bearing ring with the ball of the stud member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a hollow rubber bushing between two radially spaced elements of a bearing. The final space to be occupied by the bearing is considerably smaller than the "at rest" dimension of the bushing. It is necessary to provide a radial compression during movement of the inner member into the proper position. The apparatus provides for a positive support for the outer bearing member and a positive but retractable support for the bushing, the retractable support being cammed away from the center of the assembly as the carrying element for the inner bearing member is forced through the bushing while expanding the bushing radially to receive the inner bearing member.