Abstract: A method of cleaning a conditioner head includes bringing two clamps of a cleaning tool inward toward a disk-shaped pad conditioner head to press a sponge against an outer surface of the disk-shaped pad conditioner head, and creating relative motion between the cleaning tool and the pad conditioner head to wipe the sponge against the pad conditioner head.

Abstract: A cup-shaped cover of a pedal travel simulator, hydraulic accumulator, or a damper chamber, using a radially resilient connecting ring, which protrudes into a groove of the cover and into an opposing groove of a receptacle of a hydraulic block of a traction slip controller of a hydraulic vehicle braking system, to fasten inseparably at the hydraulic block.

Abstract: A lock ring to secure threaded components from inadvertent unscrewing, loosening or disassembling from each other. The lock ring can be constructed of relatively thin and pliable material. The lock ring has a central bore or hole and defines inner and outer ring surfaces. A plurality of locking tabs (including at least one bendable tab) extends outwardly from the outer ring surface, while at least one stand-off or spacer tab extends inwardly from the inner ring surface. Certain locking tabs can be bent or otherwise repositioned so that that they are received in aligned recesses in the threaded components. The lock ring can be installed between threaded components (such as, for example, wireline or electric line tools) and thereby prevents adjacent threaded components from unwanted or inadvertent rotation relative to each other.

Abstract: A joint assembly (200) comprising a first joint member (232) that is drivingly connected to a second joint member (272) by one or more torque transfer elements (290). Drivingly connected to at least a portion of the second joint member (312) is a stub shaft (292). An end of the stub shaft, opposite the second joint member, is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second shaft. At least a portion of a second end portion of a first shaft (202) is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a first end portion of the first joint member (232) and at least a portion of a first end portion of the first shaft has a gear member (210) with a plurality of gear teeth thereon.

Abstract: A fastener assembly including a hollow and structurally collapsible stem over an intermediate extending range, a solid end most extending portion being structurally rigid. A receiving portion is constructed of a deformable material having a surface, within which is configured an inner rim defined edge of a deformable material. The inner rim edge can include either of a flat profile or a chamfered shape with a narrowed profile, a diameter of an aperture bounded by the chamfered edge being less than a diameter of the solid end portion so that, upon insertion and passage of the solid portion through the narrowed rim profile, initial deformation of the chamfered rim edge shape preceding alignment of the interiorly hollowed portion, which is subsequently caused to exhibit a controlled collapse by the rim edge in order to secure the stem within the receiving portion.

Abstract: A vehicle lock for a door or a flap of a motor vehicle, the vehicle lock including a locking mechanism with a catch and a pawl for latching the catch as well as a gear mechanism with a spindle for moving a nut and for transferring a motion and/or force to the locking mechanism by the nut movement for locking or unlocking the vehicle lock, and a clip for holding the spindle in an axial position. A simple and easy to produce vehicle lock with reduced number of parts, in particular without thrust plates, can be obtained.

Abstract: A retainer sleeve for use with a lock in a ground engaging tool. The retainer sleeve can include a skirt extending part way around a retainer axis. The retainer sleeve can further include a plurality of legs joined to the skirt and formed to mate with a lock cavity of the ground engaging tool. The skirt can form an inner surface shaped to rotatably receive an outer surface of the lock.

Abstract: A split ring planetary drive for an engine or use with an electric phaser. The split ring planetary drive includes a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a spring ring gear, a camshaft ring gear, and at least one spring. The sun gear has teeth and is driven to rotate around a sun axis. The plurality of planet gears are arranged around the sun gear with each planet gear comprised of planet teeth maintaining the planet gear in meshing engagement with the sun gear teeth. The sprocket ring gear has teeth and is driven by a crankshaft. The camshaft ring gear has teeth is rotatable with a camshaft. The teeth of the sprocket and camshaft ring gears maintain the ring gears in meshing engagement with each of the planet gears. The spring biases the planet gear teeth into meshing engagement with the sprocket and camshaft ring gear teeth.

Abstract: A tolerance compensating device includes a body having a fastener receiver. A first set of tabs and a second set of tabs are provided around the fastener receiver. The first set of tabs include a first locator feature and the second set of tabs include a second locator feature wherein the first locator feature differs from the second locator feature. An assembly including the tolerance compensating device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device for holding a cardiac valve implant includes an elongate support defining a peripheral edge with a curvature about which the cardiac valve implant can be fitted. The elongate support includes a resilient portion for resiliently holding the cardiac valve implant in place in the device, and a support tool for holding a cardiac valve implant comprising first and second elongate support members being separate and radially movable in relation to each other, each having a curvature about which the cardiac valve implant can be fitted and a manipulator portion connected to the first and second elongate support members.

Abstract: A sub-retaining structure includes a retainer and a compression limiter. The retainer having an attachment hole is provided in a sub-component. A compression limiter is disposed in the attachment hole of the retainer. The compression limiter has a cylindrical shape with a through hole coaxial with the attachment hole. The compression limiter defines multiple side openings arranged in a circumferential direction. The retainer includes multiple retainer arms each of which extends radially inward of the compression limiter through the side openings, respectively. The retainer arms are configured to be engageable with a fastener protruding from a main-component when the fastener is inserted into the through hole.

Abstract: An electric linear motion actuator includes planetary rollers mounted between the radially inner surface of an outer ring member and the radially outer surface of a rotary shaft, and a carrier rotatable about the rotary shaft and including radially movable roller shafts rotatably supporting the respective planetary rollers. Elastic rings each having circumferentially separate ends are each wrapped around the roller shafts to radially inwardly bias the roller shafts, thereby bringing the respective planetary rollers into elastic contact with the radially outer surface of the rotary shaft. Each elastic ring is prevented from rotating relative to the roller shafts, thereby preventing one of the roller shafts from being axially aligned with the gap between the circumferential separate ends, causing the elastic ring to be radially compressed and thus making it impossible for the elastic rings to radially bias the roller shafts.

Abstract: A coupler assembly is shown and described. The coupler assembly may include an insert, where the insert comprises an aperture and a plurality of clips, each clip comprising a clip body and a spring tab. The coupler assembly may also include a coupler body having a core adapted to receive the insert.

Abstract: An arcuate metal element for detecting a rotary force and generating a deformation in response thereto.

Abstract: An industrial robot includes a robot arm having multiple connecting links connected by joints, wherein at least two adjacent connecting links are connected by a swivel joint and can be adjusted by a motor. A mechanical stop device defines a maximum rotatable adjustment angle between the adjacent links and includes a stop projection connected to one of the two adjacent connecting links, an engaging piece connected to the other one of the two adjacent connecting links, and a trailing stop which can be adjusted by the engaging piece. The trailing stop comprises a trailing stop body and an annular body which is connected with the trailing stop body and which is pivoted in an annular groove in an inner wall of a housing component of one of the two adjacent connecting links.

Abstract: Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole.

Abstract: A balanced snap ring and method of making a balanced snap ring is disclosed. The snap ring has a circular shape wherein the circular shape has a circumference. The snap ring has a body section and a protrusion extending axially from the body section. The protrusion is formed partially around the circumference. Additionally, a transmission with a balanced snap ring is disclosed.

Abstract: A retaining wave spring includes a first open-loop that has a wall that is substantially planar. The retaining wave spring also includes a second open-loop continuing from an end portion of the first open-loop. The second open-loop has a wall having curved portions. An outer diameter of the first open-loop and an outer diameter of the second open-loop have different sizes.

Abstract: One aspect is a torque element retention system with a housing having an opening. A torque assembly has a shaft and a torque element stacked along the shaft and is configured substantially within the opening of the housing. The torque element has an arm portion and a foot portion and the opening has an arm opening section configured to receive the arm portion of the torque element and a foot retention section configured to receive the foot portion of the torque element. The torque element retention system has a system axis through the center of the shaft and extending through the foot retention section. The at least one of the first and second foot end portions of the foot retention section includes first and second non-parallel segments having no normal length to chord length ratio greater than 0.5.

Abstract: A universal joint structure for a tool contains an operating rod, a fitting sleeve, and a retaining member. The operating rod includes a universal joint formed on one end thereof, the universal joint is formed in a polygonal sphere shape, the fitting sleeve includes a polygonal locking groove defined thereon for fitting the universal joint, the fitting sleeve also includes a circular recess arranged adjacent to an opening of the locking groove and retaining with the retaining member. The retaining member is a C-retaining ring and includes a tilted guiding face defined around one surface thereof, and wherein one end of the titled face away from the circular recess is larger than another end of the titled guiding face adjacent to the circular recess so that when the universal joint is fitted into the locking groove, the titled guiding face retains with the universal joint of the operating rod.

Abstract: An oil retaining ring for retaining oil in a bearing includes a holding ring in the form of a internal Seeger circlip ring, and a baffle which is placed on an inner periphery of the holding ring. The baffle includes an outer retaining wall and an inner retaining wall which is connected to the outer retaining wall along a groove which establishes a predetermined rupture joint.

Abstract: A retaining clip (4) comprising a substantially planar annular sector portion (14) with a sector angle of over 180° and having a recess (15) at each end of the sector arc. Also, a retaining ring comprising a pair of the retaining clip (13), wherein the recessed ends cooperate such that the pair of clips form a complete annulus. Also, a method of installing a retaining ring in a groove formed in a component, comprising inserting a first retaining clip into the groove in a substantially radial direction from a first side of the groove, an inserting a second retaining clip into the groove in a substantially radial direction from a second side of the groove opposite the first.

Abstract: Described is a press-in element for pressing into a non-pierced or pre-pierced component. The press-in element has a head part having a ring surface confronting the component and a neck part which projects away from the ring surface, i.e. from the component contact side. The head part further has a ring-like projection surrounding the neck part with a radial spacing and projecting away from the ring surface. The neck part has a radially outwardly projecting ring bead, which can be formed as a continuous ring bead or as a ring bead interrupted at points. The apex of the ring bead has an axial spacing from the ring surface which is larger than the axial spacing of the apex of the ring-like projection from the ring surface, which lies radially within this projection and together with it and the ring bead forms a pocket which receives material of the component.

Abstract: A balanced snap ring and method of making a balanced snap ring is disclosed. The snap ring has a circular shape wherein the circular shape has a circumference. The snap ring has a body section and a protrusion extending axially from the body section. The protrusion is formed partially around the circumference. Additionally, a transmission with a balanced snap ring is disclosed.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for installation within a work piece, the fastener assembly including a bolt, a retainer ring, and a housing that houses the retainer ring. The housing is positioned at and engages one side of the work piece, while the bolt is inserted into a hole of the work piece on an opposite side thereof. The retainer ring engages the bolt such that a plurality of pressure pads extending from a plurality of corresponding spring beam elements of the retainer ring reside in an annular groove of the bolt. The housing captivates the bolt onto the work piece, while providing a positive hold out of the bolt.

Abstract: A retainer ring including an outer ring having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a plurality of spring beam elements extending inwardly from the interior surface, and a central aperture. Each of the spring beam elements includes an elongated arm having a first end attached to the interior surface of the outer ring and a second, free end opposite the first end. Each of free ends of the arms includes a tab portion and a pressure pad that extends from the tab portion. The retainer ring captivates pin members, such as bolts, onto work pieces, such that the pressure pads engage and align with an annular groove of the bolt. When the bolt engages the retainer ring, each of the spring beam elements is displaced and expands radially from a free position to an expanded position in order to enable the bolt to travel through the aperture. The retainer ring captivates the bolt onto the work piece, while providing a positive hold out of the bolt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retainer ring for axially retaining a first member with respect to a second member. The retainer ring includes a plurality of substantially linear segments disposed about the first member. The retainer ring further includes a break or opening that facilitates positioned the retainer ring about the first member.

Abstract: A retaining clip (4) comprising a substantially planar annular sector portion (14) with a sector angle of over 180° and having a recess (15) at each end of the sector arc. Also, a retaining ring comprising a pair of the retaining clip (13), wherein the recessed ends cooperate such that the pair of clips form a complete annulus. Also, a method of installing a retaining ring in a groove formed in a component, comprising inserting a first retaining clip into the groove in a substantially radial direction from a first side of the groove, an inserting a second retaining clip into the groove in a substantially radial direction from a second side of the groove opposite the first.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with a groove establishing a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity between a retainer and the release angle and a circular radial canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end and a body diameter sized for sliding engagement with the bore is provided which includes a circumferential groove in the pin body for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore. The coil is further compressed along the spring minor axis and expands radially upon continued withdrawal of the pin from the bore.

Abstract: A fastener including a bolt and a grommet assembly attached to the bolt for fastening to a work piece. The grommet assembly includes an upper grommet, a lower grommet attached to the upper grommet, a retainer ring, and a housing that houses the retainer ring within the lower grommet. The upper grommet is inserted into a hole at one side of the work piece and the lower grommet is attached to the upper grommet through the hole at an opposite side of the work piece. The retainer ring is inserted into the lower grommet and encapsulated by the housing. The bolt is inserted into the grommet assembly, and the retainer ring engages the bolt such that a plurality of pressure pads extending from a plurality of corresponding spring beam elements of the retainer ring reside in an annular groove of the bolt. The grommet assembly captivates the bolt onto the work piece, while providing a positive hold out of the bolt.

Abstract: A connecting arrangement for a rotationally fixed connection of components in the drive train of a motor vehicle, comprising a shaft journal and a hub of an articulation, which has a central opening for receiving the shaft journal, wherein the shaft journal can be axially fixed in the hub, for example by a retaining ring. The invention further relates to an articulated shaft comprising such a connecting arrangement.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with a groove establishing a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity between a retainer and the release angle and a circular radial canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end and a body diameter sized for sliding engagement with the bore is provided which includes a circumferential groove in the pin body for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore. The coil is further compressed along the spring minor axis and expands radially upon continued withdrawal of the pin from the bore.

Abstract: A lock ring (6), which comprises a core part (61) and a twisted wire part (62) around it. The lock ring (6) comprises shape memory alloy or bimetal, whereby the lock ring is arranged to deform as the temperature changes to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove having a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity having a circular radial canted coil spring disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end in sliding engagement with the bore and provided with a circumferential groove for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore.

Abstract: A holder device has an elastic member and contact members. The elastic member is curved to extend approximately along a major arc of curvature and is elastically deformable to change a radius of curvature thereof. The contact members are circularly arranged along an inner circumferential side or an outer circumferential side of the elastic member so that each of the contact members is opposed to the elastic member in a radial direction of the elastic member. Each of the contact members has a sidewall that is opposed to the elastic member in the radial direction and is curved along an arc of curvature. A radius of curvature of the sidewall is shorter than the radius of curvature of the elastic member in its natural state.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with a groove establishing a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity between a retainer and the release angle and a circular radial canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end and a body diameter sized for sliding engagement with the bore is provided which includes a circumferential groove in the pin body for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore. The coil is further compressed along the spring minor axis and expands radially upon continued withdrawal of the pin from the bore.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is provided for use in mounting a printed circuit board to a computer chassis. The mounting assembly includes standoffs attached to the chassis wall to extend outward into the chassis. Each standoff includes an elongated body and a neck extending from the body and having a smaller diameter than outer dimensions of the body. Each standoff includes a head extending from the neck. The mounting assembly includes retention assemblies that are mounted to the printed circuit board. Each retention assembly includes a spring-force retention member (such as a single coil of a ring spring) with an inner passageway with an at rest diameter smaller than the head. The printed circuit board is mounted to the chassis wall by pressing the printed circuit board onto the standoff elements, which are clasped by a spring force applied by each of the spring-force retention members on the standoff necks.

Abstract: A two part retaining ring is described. An rigid upper portion has an annular recess along its inner diameter. An annular wearable lower portion has an inner diameter, an annular extension defined by the inner diameter and a vertical wall that is perpendicular to a surface of the second portion and opposite to the inner diameter. The annular extension fits into the annular recess of the annular first portion. A bonding material is on the vertical wall of the annular second portion.

Abstract: A lock ring (6), which comprises a core part (61) and a twisted wire part (62) around it. The lock ring (6) comprises shape memory alloy or bimetal, whereby the lock ring is arranged to deform as the temperature changes to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A connecting arrangement for connecting, for example, two components of a jointed shaft via a securing ring, and a jointed shaft including a connecting arrangement of this type.

Abstract: A bolted joint which is formed by using a bolt having a tapered shoulder to cold form a deformable sleeve in order to provide a “zero-clearance” fit. Specifically, preferably a plurality of bolted joints are used to join a ring gear to a differential case. As the bolts are installed into the differential case and ring gear, tapered shoulders on the bolts dilate deformable sleeves until outer diameters of the sleeves contact internal walls of through holes in the differential case.

Abstract: A retaining assembly includes a body and a retainer. The body includes a compartment defined in an end thereof. The compartment is defined by a perimeter wall and an end wall. A coupling hole is defined in the end wall for receiving a tool. The retainer is mounted in the compartment of the body and has a through-hole aligned with the coupling hole of the body. The retainer further includes at least one resilient positioning portion abutting against the perimeter wall of the body for retaining the retainer in the compartment of the body. The retainer further includes at least one resilient clamping portion extending into the coupling hole of the body for pressing against at least one face of the tool received in the coupling hole of the body.

Abstract: A screw attachment (10, 10?, 10?) disposed around a fastening piece (17) secured to a main fastening body (25a), the screw attachment sandwiched between a head (17b) of the fastening piece and a securing object (22) so that the screw attachment bears a securing force of the fastening piece to press the securing object. The screw attachment includes a pair of arms (12, 13) made of a shape restoring material. Each arm has a fore end, and the fore ends are joined to each other with an adhesive material that is softened when heated. The arms expands radially such that the screw attachment is released from the head of the fastening piece when heat or force is applied to the arms.

Abstract: A bicycle hub includes a wheel securing structure having a retaining arrangement disposed with respect to the hub axle and a wheel securing shaft member. The retaining arrangement overrideably prevents the shaft member from being axially removed from the hub axle when in a predetermined position within the through bore of the hub axle. In other words, the retaining arrangement is arranged to releasably restrict relative axial movement between the shaft member and the hub axle when the shaft member is disposed in the through bore of the hub axle in a predetermined position so that unintended displacement of the wheel securing shaft structure from the hub axle is prevented during use of the wheel securing shaft structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a securing ring are described along with assemblies utilizing the securing ring. A securing ring includes a curvilinear body defining an opening and having a gap that defines confronting ring ends that are separable to receive at least one curvilinear device within the opening. The curvilinear body includes an outer surface and opposing first and second side walls that define a slot therebetween. The slot is configured for receiving the curvilinear device, and the outer surface, the first wall and the second wall provide a clamping force on the curvilinear device in the slot when the confronting ring ends are drawn together, with the clamping force securing the curvilinear device within the slot. The securing apparatus further includes a locking mechanism coupled to the confronting ring ends and configured to releasably engage the confronting ring ends to secure the confronting ring ends together.

Abstract: A retaining device or snap-ring for retaining a mating hub and drum within a transmission is provided. The device is insertable into a groove along the inner circumference of a circular flange and includes a main outer loop, an opening for dividing the snap-ring into two deflectable curvilinear portions and at least partially defined by a tabular extension projecting from each curvilinear member. The tabular extensions provide sufficient surface area for applying deflective or compressive force to the snap-ring and are contoured to facilitate use of a deflection tool. The snap-ring further comprises an externally-projecting secondary loop for reducing deflection force, or an internally-projecting secondary loop for increasing deflection force. The snap-ring may be used within a double-flange hub having a plurality of slots for facilitating insertion of the secondary loop and the tabular extensions within the flange groove.

Abstract: A fastening member is integrated with a boot body, at least one of a fastening leading end portion or a fastening tail end portion expands or reduces the diameter by elastic deformation, and when the fastening leading end portion or the fastening tail end portion expands the diameter, the fastening member forms the shape of a trumpet. Since the fastening member is integrated with the boot body, a cylindrical small-diameter portion can be readily built in the other part.

Abstract: Retaining rings with curved surfaces are described. The curved surfaces prevent damage to a fixed abrasive polishing pad when the retaining ring is used in a polishing process. The curved surfaces are on the bottom surface of the ring, such as along the outer diameter and/or along the sidewalls of channels formed in the bottom of the ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the economical and reliable assembly of buss plates and components thereon, having a bushing positioned on one or more surfaces or therebetween. A resilient retainer is employed to retain bushings in proximity to buss plate through holes to facilitate easy assembly. The use of the resilient retainer eliminates the requirement for costly and potentially adverse pre-assembly soldering of the bushing into position.

Abstract: A self draining snap fastener socket allows water and other liquids to drain from inside of the self draining snap fastener socket. The self draining snap fastener socket has a snap action attachment/detachment portion defining a channel for a resilient snap member. The channel has an annular side wall extending generally along an axial direction of the self draining snap fastener socket, an upper flange extending from an upper portion of the annular side wall toward a socket center, and a lower flange extending from a lower portion of the annular side wall toward the socket center. A fluid passageway extends from the interior of the self draining snap fastener socket through the annular side wall to outside of the self draining snap fastener socket.