Abstract: A method for forming a precision ball groove track in a part, especially in an outer race member of a universal joint. The method includes the steps of forming a recess groove in the ball race groove track and ball finish machining the race groove track to a predetermined precision shape, the recess reducing groove the wear on the finish machining tool used during the finish machining step.

Abstract: A pair of knuckles each including a base element and a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending lugs on the base element. The lugs on each knuckle are pivoted in a pair of lugs secured to the frame of one of the leading and trailing equipment units, the two knuckles being positioned on relatively transversely positioned axes. The knuckles are interconnected by a longitudinal pin extending through the base elements, the longitudinal pin being dimensioned to enable longitudinal play between the knuckles, and relative angular movement therebetween.

Abstract: A wing section equipped rod weeder implement is provided wherein the implement includes a center section and a pair of opposite side wing sections which may be swung upwardly to retracted positions for moving along roadways or through narrow fence openings. The center section rod weeder shaft is driven by a reversible variable speed hydraulic motor and the opposite ends of the center section rod weeder shaft include universal joints removably supported therefrom for selective reversed mounting on the center section rod weeder shaft ends and each universal joint defines a swivelly supported inwardly tapering threaded socket. The adjacent ends of the wing section rod weeder shafts include tapered threaded male ends removably threaded within the sockets. The threaded connections are of the non-jamming type wherein they may be readily unthreaded.

Abstract: First and second structures are hingedly connected by the engagement of a hinge pin (24) by a hinge knuckle (22). Knuckle (22) is rigidly mounted on the first structure. Pin (24) is attached to a carrier that is slidably mounted on the second structure. A spring, preferably a plurality of stacks of Belleville springs, is positioned between the carrier and the second structure. The slidable mount allows the two structures to move translationally relative to each other to prevent excessive hinge loads. The spring controls such movement and biases the hinge pin, and therefore the hinge axis, into a center position.

Abstract: A joint device has each of its arms jointed at joint sections arranged at front and back ends thereof. The arms are allowed at the joint section to move relatively in two directions perpendicular to each other. Semi-circular guide members are rotatably attached to support member of each of arm by pins at each of the joint sections. The guide members of adjacent arms are fixed with their rotation axes directed substantially perpendicular to each other. A driving structure for driving one of these guide members around the rotation axis of the other is arranged to the support member of an arm adjacent to the arm to which the guide member is attached. When the guide member is driven by means of the driving structure, the support member on which the driving structure is arranged is rotated relative to the guide member. As the result, the whole of the arm is rotated.

Abstract: In a rack and pinion type steering mechanism of a vehicle having a steering wheel and road wheels steered by the steering wheel, a structure for effectively transmitting the movement of the rack member to two tie rods liked to the road wheels. A male member formed on an inside end of one tie rod is slidably received in a female member formed on an inside end of the other tie rod. The movably coupled male and female members are held through a bearing device in a holder which is fixed to the rack member.

Abstract: An articulated coupling has two cylindrical half-couplings facing each other at their end faces. Recesses are formed in the end faces which recesses in which a cage is installed in the recesses with a clearance. Radial coaxial openings are formed in the cage and the half-couplings and rollers are installed in the coaxial openings with clearances. The half-couplings are provided with a device for holding the rollers in the openings.

Abstract: A controlled motion apparatus capable of at least three degrees of freedom, such as apparatus for vibration testing of equipment, comprises a support suspended from a reaction mass by three anti-rotation, linear motion displacement actuator devices each extending and movable along one axis of an XYZ coordinate system. Each actuator may be independently activated to cause the support to undergo simultaneously controlled motion along the three axes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrostatic bearing type coupling for a vibrating machine. The coupling is interposed between a vibration table upon which a test specimen or the like is mounted and a vibrator in such a way that even when the vibration table is caused to vibrate three-dimensionally, there are free movements in the two directions.

Abstract: A universal joint is formed with trunnions extending into the bores of yokes with bearing bushes being interposed between the trunnions and the yokes. Each of the trunnions is formed with a bore extending internally into the trunnion generally coaxially with the central axis of the trunnion. The trunnion is formed with a wall thickness surrounding the bore and the bearing bush has a wall thickness surrounding the trunnion with the wall thickness of the trunnion being between one and three times the size of the wall thickness of the bearing bush. The trunnion bore may extend with a depth which is at least equivalent to the depth of a generally cylindrical bore within the bearing bush within which the trunnion is received and the central bore in the trunnion may be formed with a conical portion immediately contiguous with a cylindrical portion located inwardly from the conical portion. The conical portion may be formed to widen outwardly with an angle of between 0.5.degree. and 5.degree.

Abstract: A swivel connector for attaching a handle to a body which comprises:(a) a pivot member secured to said body;(b) a pin member including first rotational means for rotatably engaging said pivot member to define a first axis of rotation for rotating the pin member about the pivot member; and(c) a socket member having an upper end portion adapted to receive a handle and including at the lower end portion second rotational means for rotatably engaging said pin member to define a second axis of rotation for rotating the socket member about the pin member such that said first and second axis of rotation are substantially perpendicular and intersect each other.

Abstract: A mixing head for a reaction injection molding machine, which incorporates several beneficial features, comprises a body having a bore, which defines a mixing chamber, and a plurality of nozzle orifices opening into the mixing chamber for conducting reactive polymeric components thereto. A plunger is mounted for reciprocal movement in the mixing chamber to control flow of the reactive components through the nozzle orifices to form a homogeneous polymer mix, e.g. a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate mix, in the chamber, and serves also to eject the resulting mix from the chamber. The plunger is controlled by an actuator piston and is linked thereto by a universal coupling that minimizes plunger binding in the mixing chamber due to misalignment between the plunger and actuator.

Abstract: An improved system for coupling together two objects, particularly sea-going vessels, while permitting relative and at least limited movement in at least three axes -- roll, pitch and yaw -- with a one or more vertical elements mounted on the stern of one towing vessel each coupled to a horizontal element mounted on the bow of a second towed vessel to permit formation of a sea-going barge train pulled by a tug. The horizontal element includes a fluid-tight housing which is mounted for limited lateral movement and which defines an internal chamber in which a piston member and an attached rod move. The rod extends outboard to connect to the vertical element and specifically to one of a pair of concentric vertical members, the other of which is fixedly mounted on the towing vessel. The vertical members move slidably in a vertical direction with respect to each other.