Abstract: A pressed sleeve bearing is disclosed which is moldable out of plastic and which will provide a superior retaining characteristic, while at the same time will retain the designed interior diameter of the bearing, unaffected from the pressing forces and deformation. The region of engagement between the bearing and the supporting part is displaced axially from the bearing region so that any deformation of the sleeve will not be communicated to the bearing surface. The interior of the sleeve in the region of engagement is relieved to provide clearance for the shaft that will be inserted into the bearing.

Abstract: A coupling for vibration testing comprises a pair of connecting links to be attached to a shaker head and to a driven fixture, respectively. Each of these has an axial passage through it and a convex spherical distal bearing surface. These bearing surfaces face each other. A center element has an axial passage through it and has opposite concave spherical bearing surfaces that face against the convex spherical bearing surfaces of the two connecting links. A low-friction coating or layer, i.e., fiber-reinforced PTFE, is applied to the convex bearing surfaces of the connecting links and provides a low-friction sliding surface against the mating surfaces of the center element. A preload bolt extends through the axial passages of the device and exerts a compressive axial preloading stress which exceeds the maximum vibrational force likely to be encountered.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft, having a housing with a central bore in which is mounted a shell with a plurality of circumferential spaced staves defining water courses therebetween. Each of the staves have an outer layer made of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene material and an inner layer made of an elastomeric material. The inner layer is grooved to receive a thin layer of low friction material such that surface of the low friction material is below the plane of the inner layer.

Abstract: A retainer bushing for securing a linkage rod to an apertured workpiece includes a head with a stepped shank portion extending therefrom with the shank having a relatively wide slot on one side thereof and the head and shank having a narrow slot extending axially therethrough diametrically opposite the wide slot forming a push-in type fastener. The retainer bushing is provided with an axial stepped defining a raised retainer bead in the shank portion having opposed inclined cam ramp surfaces on either side thereof. The linkage rod having at least at one end thereof a rod arm portion provided with a chamfered free end surface and, axially spaced from the chamfered free end, it is provided with an annular groove formed complementary to the retainer bead in the retainer bushing.

Abstract: A surface of an elastomer mass subject to stress by a force supplying member is protected from abrasion and cracking by interposing a silicone rubber layer between the elastomer mass and force supplying member.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing adapted for positioning between a fixed base and a moving member spaced from said fixed base, the moving member having a rigid flat face confronting the fixed base, wherein the hydrodynamic thrust bearing includes a thin metal disk having undulations extending radially outward from the center of the disk in a symmetrical manner throughout one entire surface of the metal disk, and a planar face on the other side, the disk is positioned between the fixed base and the rigid flat face of the moving member whereby the undulations of the disk are in contact with the rigid flat face and the planar face is in contact with the fixed base, lubricant is supplied between the disk undulation and the confronting rigid flat face of the moving member whereby thrust movement relative to the disk will produce a very thin film of lubricant between the undulations of the disk and the cooperating rigid flat face of the fixed base.

Abstract: A thermoplastic-rubber polymer alloy contains a tough, wear resistant low friction thermoplastic such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, a cured rubber compound such as nitrile rubber, and a lubricant such as graphite in effective amounts to produce a composition which has good wet and dry friction and wear properties. The ultra high molecular weight polyethylene is typically utilized in a sufficient amount so as to form a continuous phase with the thermoset rubber being present as particles dispersed throughout the polyethylene as a discontinuous phase. The polymer alloy is made by dry blending the thermoplastic compound with ground thermoset rubber whereby the rubber is coated, heating and mixing the composition to above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic compound and subsequently cooling under pressure. The alloy can be easily transfer molded because of the lubricating action of the heated, softened plastic.

Abstract: An improved laminated flexible bearing wherein alternate layers of elastomer and reinforced plastic shims of the lamination are cured simultaneously with heat and pressure and the lamination is bonded to forward and aft end rings for facilitating attachment of a thrust nozzle to a rocket case.

Abstract: A bush made of plastic for use in a bicycle brake device of the type having a cylindrical portion integrally connected with a flange, which is provided at one end of the cylinderical portion, has the flange provided, successively, from the cylindrical portion toward an outer edge of the flange with a flat part, a bulged part following the flat part, and an inclined and flat part, which follows the bulged part and is inclined outwardly from in a direction opposite to the bulged portion relative to the end of the cylindrical portion. The flange construction maintains a gap between two members in a cushioning manner and enables a reduced frictional resistance.

Abstract: The tiltwise stiffness of an axially-lobed, nearly-spherical elastomeric joint is made uniform at all azimuths by contouring the axial height of the elastomer or by reducing the thickness or durometer of the elastomer at azimuths where the joint otherwise would be tiltwise stiffer, such as at the lobes. The improvement is useful in the application of the joint to a gimbal-like rotor system.

Abstract: A resilient radial sliding bearing is intended for connecting parts, particularly motor vehicle parts which perform oscillatory movements relative to each other. The bearing comprises a resilient body of elastic material, having a slide surface which is provided with recesses for a lubricant and cooperates in rotary motion as well as, within limits, axially sliding motion, with an opposite surface of a sliding sleeve. A mounting for the bearing comprises a sleeve member having downturned edges which engages over the sliding sleeve and each end of the resilient body and limits the axial sliding movement of the resilient body to a defined clearance.

Abstract: A one-piece, self-lubricating, thermoplastic bearing and sealing member suitable for supporting a moveable shaft and forming a seal around the circumference thereof. The bearing and sealing member comprises a tubular shaped body, an inner annular wall portion of which may be radially cut to form a recess and one or more flanges of preselected length and thickness. Alternately the sealing and bearing member may be molded with the flange and recess formed in situ. The flanges may have an inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft or may have an outer diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the bearing and sealing member. The flanges can be bent, preferably in the vicinity of their respective bases to a preselected angle below 20.degree. relative to a transverse axis of the sealing member.

Abstract: In a hydrostatic axial thrust bearing structure in which two bearing members are disposed for movement relative to one another, a central bearing cavity adapted to receive pressurized bearing fluid is surrounded by a limited leakage seal structure which includes a ring of an elastomeric material disposed in a recess in one of the bearing members and a seal face formed on the other member which has a cylindrical outer surface received in a cylindrical projection of the one bearing member with a small axial leakage gap provided between the cylindrical sufaces of the two bearing members thereby providing a leakage path from the bearing cavity which is independent of the movement of the two bearing members relative to one another.

Abstract: A pivot assembly has a substantial amount of inherent frictional torque. A shaft has a clearance space between itself and a wall of its journal hole. A pliable tubular bushing is axially compressed within the shaft clearance space to create rotational friction between the shaft and the bearing journal. Such an assembly has diverse applications in areas such as the swivel for sailboat tiller extensions, toilet seat lid hinges, and hinged covers for electronic cabinets or other equipment.

Abstract: A surface of an elastomer mass subject to stress by a force supplying member is protected from abrasion and cracking by interposing a silicone rubber layer between the elastomer mass and force supplying member.

Abstract: In a hydrostatic bearing structure in which two bearing members are disposed for movement relative to one another with adjacent bearing surfaces adapted to accommodate therebetween a bearing fluid under pressure for supporting one of the members on the other, a bearing surface area of at least one of the members is formed by a thin layer of an elastomeric material on a substrate of a highly heat conductive material in order to avoid damage to the bearing surfaces by particular matter and friction heat.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive, and effective linear actuator design comprises a motor adjacent to a speed-reducer, with the driven stem of the speed-reducer passing through the rotor of the motor. The stem has one bearing at one end of the reducer and its second bearing at the end of the motor, in a bearing part likewise serving as a bearing for the rotor. The distance between the two bearings is increased, and the second bearing includes a socket which has a radial elasticity owing to the fact that it is monolithically joined to the fixed bearing part via a thin portion. This second bearing part is advantageously of synthetic material. The rotation of the stem actuates a driven linear-motion part, which is prevented from rotating and which executes a translatory movement.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a stamped MacPherson strut front suspension includes an angular contact ball bearing with stamped upper and lower races. The lower race is seatable on a bearing seat of the cylindrical reservoir of the damper while the upper race is engaged with the lower surface of a lower spring seat. A combined shielding and retaining wall has an upper wall engageable with the upper surface of the lower spring seat and a cylindrical inner wall engageable with the lower race to retain the bearing and lower spring seat together as a subassembly separable from the suspension. When assembled in the suspension, the upper wall of the shielding is maintained spaced from the upper surface of lower spring seat by the force of the suspension coil spring to allow free turning of the bearing.

Abstract: A unique reciprocating piston device that uses one or more special cams and yokes to replace the functions normally provided by crankpins and connecting rods. The cams have noncircular finite jerk lift surfaces which provide continuous positive positioning of the yokes and pistons. Various cams can be configured to overcome the performance limitations imposed by crank and rod controlled pistons for a wide variety of engines and pumps. Preferred embodiments of this invention create a flexible, reliable, efficient and smooth running device for compressing, expanding and transferring fluids. In one specific application, an internal combustion engine is designed such that its pistons spend a greater portion of time near the top and bottom of each stroke than is possible with a crankshaft type engine.

Abstract: A bearing radially interposable between two relative rotatable parts such as the hub and friction disc or annular guide of a clutch plate for an automotive clutch. The bearing has inner and outer bearing surfaces each divided into at least two separate bearing zones. The inner bearing zones are angularly offset relative to the outer bearing zones. Relative radial clearance is defined by radial recesses between the bearing zones of the respective bearing surfaces which prevents additional friction developing between the bearing surface and the associated part and permits radial bending between bearing zones to compensate for limited axial misalignment between the parts. Cutouts in the rim of the bearing provide elastic deformation.

Abstract: A friction-based, motion damping assembly for a chairlift or the like is disclosed in which the damping assembly is mounted between a hub provided on a cable grip assembly and the chairlift hanger arm. The improved damping assembly is formed as a sleeve mounted to the hub of the cable grip with concentric rubber block members mounted around the sleeve. The hanger arm is formed with a collar having tapered surfaces, and an axially displaceable nut on the hub is used to wedge the rubber blocks into radial compressive engagement of the sleeve to generate the necessary compression of the sleeve about the hub for frictional damping.

Abstract: A piano action mechanism wherein a shaft pin for rotatably supporting a rotatable member on a flange is carried in bearings formed of bushing cloth glued to the surface of bushing holes in the rotatable member. With a pin inserted through the cylinders of bushing cloth, the assembly is dipped in water, dried, dipped in a solution of resin bonded fluorocarbon solids, again dried and the pin removed, to provide a durable and stable bearing having a low coefficient of friction and which is essentially noise-free and insensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.

Abstract: A socket of yieldable semi-rigid plastic material is formed with an external circumferential groove for receiving the periphery of an opening in a linkage member. The periphery of the opening is deformed out of the plane of the surface of the linkage to produce an effective thickness approximately the thickness of the groove, providing a method to assure a secure fit in cases where the thickness of the linkage material is either greater than or less than the width of the groove.

Abstract: A composite support bearing for the ball of a ball and socket joint comprises a hard plastics bearing member for the ball in the socket and a soft plastics cushion member held by the bearing member so as to be stressed by contact with the ball on assembly of the joint. The bearing member and the cushion member are preferably interlocked to prevent relative rotation.