Abstract: A ball type universal joint construction where a ball member is rotatably received in a housing and a bearing structure interposed therebetween in a manner which limits the relative rotational degrees of freedom. The ball member has a spherical surface portion which includes axially extending bearing receiving slots and the housing has a cavity spherical surface portion which includes bearing receiving recesses in registry with the receiving slots. Ball type bearings disposed partially within the recesses and partially within the slots limit movement between the ball member and housing to articulated movement relative to each other. The housing also includes an access opening at one end face having an enlargement through which the ball member can be passed when rotated 90 degrees to its nominal, functioning position. This allows the ball member to be inserted into the housing through the enlargement while at the same time accommodating passage of the bearings into the housing recesses.

Abstract: A universal joint comprises inner and outer drive members, two drive balls located in the complementary funnel-shaped ball grooves of the inner and outer drive members and a pilot member which engages for the two drive balls to locate the drive balls in cooperation with the complementary funnel-shaped grooves.The two drive balls are 180.degree. apart and the pilot member is hinge-connected to the inner drive member for pivotal movement solely about an axis which is perpendicular to an axis through the center of the two drive balls.

Abstract: This invention discloses a mounting piece for the shift lever (22) on relatively small tractors. A shift ball (21) molded onto the shift lever (22) is inserted into a molded single piece unitary construction bell housing (20) and the bell housing attached to the transmission housing (23).

Abstract: Transmission shift control apparatus includes a pin extending from a fulcrum ball to prevent rotation of an associated shift lever. Spring loads are applied to the ends of the pin to establish a neutral position for the shiftf lever in a desired shift plane. The springs are trapped in saddles, which are oriented so as to bias the ball into its seat when the spring load is applied.

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 spacecraft specifically adapted for launch from the space shuttle by means of a cradle having locking and ejection mechanisms mounted therein. The cradle fastens into the payload bay of the space shuttle and returns therewith for reuse in subsequent launches. The spacecraft mounts at three points to the cradle, and the cradle mounts at three points to the shuttle such that a plane through the attachment points passes through the roll axis of the spacecraft at approximately the center of mass thereof. The cradle utilizes the truss structure of the spacecraft to produce the required stiffness by providing a structural tie between the two ends and the bottom of the cradle. At launch, the spacecraft is ejected with both linear and angular momentum, the spin providing gyroscopic stability. The locking mechanisms in the cradle can be remotely controlled to relock the spacecraft to the cradle in the event of an unsuccessful deployment attempt.

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 self-aligning bearing construction including a ball which can be used in a pillow block mounting mode, or a flange mounting mode, or in special mounting for specific applications. A pair of generally parallel flats are formed on the ball on opposite sides of the shaft bore therein, and two cylindrical lands extend transversely around the ball, connecting the flats. As a result of a sizing step, the ball may be formed with a bead or rib running around the ball centered on the cylindrical lands and across the flats. The lands and flats provide clearance spacing so that the bead does not engage seats in a cap and a base between which it is clamped. The ball is cooperable with a series of different caps and bases for use in different mounting modes and can receive any of a series of bearing inserts to provide different bearing service.

Abstract: A ball joint includes one member having a socket portion which has an internal support surface bounding a cavity, and another member having a mounting portion which is received in the cavity, and has a spherical contact surface that contacts the support surface, and thus mounts the two members for relative pivotal movement about at least two axes. The movement about one of the axes is made easier than about the other axis by providing the support surface with at least one zone which has a center located on the one axis, and which so engages the contact surface as to oppose the relative movement of the members with a higher frictional force per unit area, than the remainder of the support surface.

Abstract: A ball joined to a first element, a hole through the ball and first element, a socket, having a spheroidal internal surface, joined to a second element, a hole through the socket and second element, said socket containing the ball in mating and nesting arrangement with the hole in the ball communicating with the hole in the socket, one of the ball and the socket containing at least one cam slot extending along a line of longitude, a cam follower having an axle joined to one of the ball and the socket at the equator and extending into the slot in the other one, and said ball and socket being rotatable relative to each other around only two of three orthogonal axes intersecting at a point in the radial center of the ball.

Abstract: A bulldozer assembly comprises a C-frame pivotally connected on a forward end of a tractor and a blade universally connected on a forward end of the frame by a ball and socket connection. A pair of laterally spaced push arms have forward ends thereof universally connected to the blade and rearward ends thereof adjustably mounted on the frame for selectively angling the blade relative to the frame. Prior to such angling, a vertically disposed pin is inserted in the ball and socket connected to prevent tipping of the blade relative to the frame.

Abstract: An improved ball clamp wherein a socket is provided at the end of a threaded member for receiving a truncated sphere. The degree of movement of the sphere within the socket is controlled to facilitate the use of the ball clamp.

Abstract: A ball joint for support of and orientation of a device in any direction stabilized against rotation on its own axis including means locking the ball in a selected position.

Abstract: An improved, easily disconnectable coupling between a spring-loaded piston and a socket-type sleeve member adapted to receive such piston in a high-pressure radial piston pump is described. The piston terminates at a rear end thereof in an enlarged spherical section that defines a volume smaller than a hemisphere. The socket member includes a spherical recess that receives the spherical section of the piston, and a surrounding edge region that is crimped inwardly at diametrically opposite portions to define a plane of oscillation of the sleeve member with respect to the piston and to capture the spherical member in the sleeve. In order to retain the coupling parts in operative association with each other, an external abutment ring is pressed over the piston adjacent the spherical section, such abutment ring extending radially outward to contact the front end of the sleeve member when the latter has oscillated through a limited predetermined angle with respect to the piston.

Abstract: An improved ball and socket joint assembly is effective to apply force to a steering system tending to return it to a straight ahead condition upon actuation of the steering system. The ball and socket assembly includes a rotatable ball which is disposed in a socket chamber. The ball is rotatably supported by a pair of seat members which engage opposite sides of the ball. A rod element extends through the center of the ball. A pair of sleeve members are urged into engagement with opposite end portions of the rod by biasing springs. Upon actuation of the steering system, the ball is rotated and the rod moves the sleeve members against the influence of the biasing springs. The force exerted on the end portions of the rod by the sleeve members applies a torque to the ball urging it back to its initial position.