Abstract: A nut for a lead screw comprises two or more concentric annular members which, when aligned, have common axes. One member is contained within another member outside it. A first member has an outer convex spherical periphery and a second member has an inner spherical concave periphery, the peripheries being concentric with the centre, and the inner periphery of the second is engaged with the outer periphery of the first member. The second member is constrained to rotate about the first member on an axis perpendicular to the common axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inducing multiaxial vibrations to simulate an environment for transporting a stack of products is provided. A lower platform is provided for inducing uniaxial vibrations. A link is connected to the lower platform by a lower end of the link. The upper end of the link has a universal joint, through which the link is connected to an upper platform. The upper platform has a top surface, on which the stack of products can be placed. In operations, the uniaxial vibrations of the lower platform are transferred to the upper platform through the link and the universal joint, to induce pivotal movement of the upper platform with respect to the shaft of the link. As a result, multiaxial vibrations can be induced to the stack of products placed on the top surface of the upper platform.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inducing multiaxial vibrations to simulate an environment for transporting a stack of products is provided. A lower platform is provided for inducing uniaxial vibrations. A link is connected to the lower platform by a lower end of the link. The upper end of the link has a universal joint, through which the link is connected to an upper platform. The upper platform has a top surface, on which the stack of products can be placed. In operations, the uniaxial vibrations of the lower platform are transferred to the upper platform through the link and the universal joint, to induce pivotal movement of the upper platform with respect to the shaft of the link. As a result, multiaxial vibrations can be induced to the stack of products placed on the top surface of the upper platform.

Abstract: A variable displacement hydraulic/pump motor has a yoke with a pair of shafts aligned to define a yoke pivot axis and connected to a valve plate therebetween having intake and discharge apertures. A rotatable cylinder barrel has piston cylinders open at one end to receive a piston head and opening through fluid ports at another end, flush against the valve plate surface. A drive block is mounted on an input/output shaft for rotation about a central axis of rotation inclined at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder barrel which may be changed by a drive engaging the yoke at a point near its pivot axis. Loads on bushings supporting the yoke shafts are reduced by providing radially extending fluid ports in the shafts and in communication with the intake and discharge apertures of the valve plate.

Abstract: A power transmitting shaft including a coupling member that is connected to a counterpart, a cylindrical intermediate member that is disposed on a side of one end of the coupling member and has a mechanical strength larger than that of the coupling member, a tube member having one end portion that is connected to either one of an inner circumferential portion of the intermediate member and an outer circumferential portion of the intermediate member, and an increased diameter portion that is disposed on one end portion of the intermediate member which is opposed to the one end of the coupling member in an axial direction of the power transmitting shaft, the increased diameter portion being connected with the one end of the coupling member in the axial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrostatic bent axis power unit having a synchronizing joint for the angularly adjustable drive-connection of a cylinder block, which has pistons, to a driveshaft. The synchronizing joint has a shank which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and thereby defines the joint axis, on the ends of which shank at the drive input and drive output side are provided in each case laterally projecting roller carriers which define a roller axis, which is aligned approximately at right angles to the joint axis, for rollers which are provided on the roller carriers, and against the two ends of which shank bears in each case one connecting pin which is aligned in the direction approximately of the joint axis. In each case one securing element is provided at the two ends of the shank, which securing element both holds the connecting pin in the region of the joint axis in contact against the shank and also prevents the rollers from sliding off the roller carriers.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of yoke members each having a pair of spaced arms. A coupler is pivotably coupled with the arms of the yoke members to allow the yoke members to respectively pivot about two pivot axes perpendicular to each other. Each arm includes two mutually facing inner faces and an intermediate face interconnected between the inner faces. Each arm further includes a pair of opposite lateral sides between which one of the inner faces extends. A recess is formed between each lateral side of each arm and one of the inner faces of one of the arms. The recesses of the arms of one of the yoke members allow entrance of the arms of the other yoke member.

Abstract: Large parallel and angular misalignment capabilities between coupled rotary shafts are provided in a torsionally rigid coupling by slidable and rotatable medial mounting of each of two radial, axially spaced, perpendicularly disposed torque pins through axially spaced radially perpendicular apertures through an axial connector and slidably trapping each end of each radial torque pin in an arcuate path between two apposed arms of one of two radially opposed forks projecting inwardly about either end of the axial connector from one of two yoked hubs. The perpendicular relation of the torque pins and slidable and rotatable medial mounting through the axial connector with ends trapped in opposed arcuate paths between radially opposed forks of each yoked hub allows displacement of the torque pins, with respect to the axial connector or the yoked hubs, about three mutually perpendicular axes thereby accommodating parallel and angular misalignment between coupled rotary shafts.

Abstract: In a drilling device with a drive unit for rotation and advance the rod assembly has a plurality of pipe sections interconnected by means of plug-type connections torque proof in both directions. A tension rod protrudes through the interior of the rod assembling. The pipe sections are braced among each other with aid of the tension rod. The tension rod can be made of pipe sections or of a tension rope and allows the possibility, that the rope assembly can be moved in its integrity against the drilling direction.

Abstract: A suspended drive axle and agricultural tractor having same including a central housing having inboard final drives and left and right axle housing suspended therefrom by upper and lower control arms with axle shafts extending outwardly therefrom to which wheel and tire assemblies are mounted. A constant velocity universal joint is provided between the inboard final drives and the axle shafts. The universal joint having a pair of journal members and a coupling yoke that radially surround the drive and driven yokes of the joint whereby the axial length of the universal joint is minimized to enable the wheels to be located on the axle shafts at 60 inch tread spacing. This allows the drive axle to be used on a row crop tractor without altering the structure of the vehicle from a conventional row crop tractor whereby the characteristics of a row crop tractor are maintained.

Abstract: Universal joint (100) includes a centering mechanism (100A) for supporting the universal and forcing the two joint halves to operate at the same angle there by causing the joint to operate at constant velocity at all angles. Each shaft (134, 135) of the joint (100) is rotatably connected to the centering mechanism (100A). Movement of one of the shafts (134, 135) at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling yoke (136) is transmitted to the other shaft (135, 134) by the centering mechanism (100A) and the centering mechanism (100A) causes the other shaft (135, 134) to likewise move at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling yoke (136). The centering mechanism (100A) includes cam rods (102, 103) supported within a cam tube (101), which arrangement allows a full range of movement of the shafts (134, 135) at angles of &pgr;°.

Abstract: An automatically restorable universal connector includes at least two members pivoted with each other, each of the two members formed with a pivot end which is provided with a locking portion; a pivot shaft extended through the two members; and a restoring member mounted between the two members and having two ends each locked and positioned in the locking portion of each of the two members, so that the two members can be restored automatically, thereby facilitating operation of the universal connector.

Abstract: A spider for use in a compact universal joint, includes a spider body having a hollow cylindrical portion and two opposed tenons projecting radially outward from the hollow cylindrical portion along a common axis. The hollow cylindrical portion is adapted for installation of bearings therein for pivotal support of the cross body on a pin mounted in a first yoke of the universal joint, and the tenons are adapted for mounting within bearings in a second yoke thereof.

Abstract: The universal joint of this invention comprises a hub interposed between an upper shaft and a middle shaft, an upper pin coupling together the upper shaft and the hub, a lower pin coupling together the middle shaft and the hub, and a stopper ring fitting over the outside of the middle shaft at an end thereof on the side of the upper shaft. The hub is formed in such a manner that the outer shape thereof is a spindle shape narrowing in the fore-and-aft direction with respect to the upper pin, and a bottomed hole provided with a taper portion is formed in the axial center thereof, opening towards the rear of the upper pin. In a front end portion of the upper shaft are formed a taper portion contracting towards the front of the upper pin and a groove portion engaging with the lower pin. The upper and lower pins are disposed adjacent to one another in the central axial direction of the hub and are also at a phase angle difference of, for example, 90 degrees.

Abstract: A joint for transmitting shifting forces from a gear-shifting system of a transmission to a transmission drive member includes a pair of joint parts (1, 2) frictionally locked to the transmission drive member and to the gear-shifting system, a coupling (3) mounted between the joint parts (1, 2) and an elastically deforming device. The elastic deforming device is a damper (4) substantially enclosing omnidirectionally the coupling (3) in such manner that when the joint is not transmitting shifting forces, the damper (4) keeps the coupling (3) spaced from the joint parts (1, 2).

Abstract: A compact double Cardan motion universal joint has a substantially cylindrical housing having an input end and an output end, with an input shaft and ball joint and an output shaft and interengaging ball joint, respectively; each ball joint consisting of a substantially spherical ball on the shaft member, a ball seat torsionally fixed in the housing, and pivots for providing articulation of the ball shaft about two orthogonal axes. Interengagement between the ball joints is provided by an interconnection ball joint consisting of a hollow socket on a joining end of one of the spherical ball shaft members of said universal joint, and a spherical ball on a joining end of the other spherical ball shaft member, the interconnection ball joint providing universal pivoting and translating motion at a juncture between interengaging portions of the ball shaft members.

Abstract: Transmission of torque forces between an in put shaft and an output shaft is provided in an apparatus whereby the axis of the input shaft and the output shaft may be displaced 90.degree. in any direction. The input shaft and output shaft are respectively connected to a pair of drive plates, each pair of which is respectively rotatably mounted on a drive ring. The drive rings are rotatably mounted within a case which maintains the rings at a predetermined spaced-apart distance. A yoke assembly is rotatably mounted within each of the input and output drive rings, and are interconnected by a pair of revolving plates which maintain the input and output drive yoke assemblies at respective spaced-apart distances. The input drive ring and the output drive ring are each rotatable about respective predefined parallel axes, and are maintained in a predetermined relationship during rotation about the respective parallel axes by a pair of flexible cables interconnecting the input and output drive rings.

Abstract: The axially stiff link provides a rigid connection linking two shaft segments (1, 2) of a shaft such that it can bend and or twist yet remain rigid with no slop for high tolerance positioning applications. The link is composed of two rolling elements (4) attached to the shaft segments (1, 2) having a rolling line contact (10) with each other. The rolling elements (4) are held together and preloaded by a ring spring (6) which encircles a portion of the rolling element extending transversely from the shaft segment and engages it by rolling line contact (8). The rolling elements may be solid plain curved portions of the shaft ends, a cylindrical bar, cylindrical bar pairs, or conical pairs to provide for torsional as well as axial bending in the link. Closely spaced perpendicularly disposed axial links provide for 2 axis bending of the shaft.

Abstract: A vibration damping universal joint is disclosed for providing three degree of freedom orientation and limiting rotational deflection between a first and second rod portion of a manual transmission gear shift rod. The universal joint includes a first and a second clevis and a rotational isolation mechanism which provides axial deflection of the second rod portion relative to the second clevis and limits rotational deflection between the first and second rod portions.

Abstract: The axially stiff link provides a rigid connection linking two shaft segments (1, 2) of a shaft such that it can bend and or twist yet remain rigid which no slop for high tolerance positioning applications. The link is composed of two rolling elements (4) attached to the shaft segments (1, 2) having a rolling line contact (10) with each other. The rolling elements (4) are held together and preloaded by a ring spring (6) which encircles a portion of the rolling element extending transversely from the shaft segment and engages it by rolling line contact (8). The rolling elements may be solid plain curved portions of the shaft ends, a cylindrical bar, cylindrical bar pairs, or conical pairs to provide for torsional as well as axial bending in the link. Closely spaced perpendicularly disposed axial links provide for two axis bending of the shaft.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting axially misaligned and rotatable shafts that has disengaging properties. This coupling includes a driver member which is adapted for attaching to a driving shaft, this driver member has a cup portion and a pair of through apertures for slidably engaging and retaining a pair of first pin members of a spider member. A pair of second pin members of the spider member engages a pair of open ended and elongated apertures of a driven member. This driven member is adapted for attaching to a driven shaft. This coupling allows for automatic selective engagement and disengagement of the spider member from the driven member. A biasing member returns the spider member to a substantially centered position during disengagement.

Abstract: A double cardan wide angle turn close coupled constant velocity universal joint has driving and driven yokes (11 and 12) radially spaced, a pair of X shaped crossheads (19) pivotally mounted to a second pair of opposing yokes (16) closely coupled, driving and driven yokes each overlapping the other in wide angle turns.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in transmitting torque between a first part rotatable about a fixed axis and a second part rotatable in a circular path about the axis, and which includes a torque bar having its ends connected to ends of the parts by universal joints.

Abstract: A linkage for rotatably joining two members of a structure together including a rod member (1); a sleeve (8) slideable over a bifurcated, cylindrical end portion of the rod member; a link member (3) pivoted within the ends of the said end portion and having two parallel sides profiled to provide a sliding fit within the sleeve, an angled side portion (16) against which the end of the sleeve is urged when the linkage is in a partly open position and a rounded, profiled end portion to provide clearance of the sleeve when the linkage is opening; pin and guide elements (12,14) for limiting the sliding movement of the sleeve on the end portion; and a coil spring (10) located around the end portion and between one end of the sleeve and a step on the rod member to provide a torque for opening the linkage when released from the closed position.

Abstract: The device is adapted to ensure the transmission of a movement of rotation between a driving shaft and a driven shaft which are adapted to be rendered respectively rigid with a first universal joint fork member (1) and a second universal joint fork member (6). The fork members each carry elements (11, 12) of the ball joint unit and are connected by spiders (14, 9) to intermediate connecting means (5). Each of the elements (11, 12) of the ball joint unit is constructed in the form of a fork member (13, 14) whose branches are engaged in the branches (3, 8) of the corresponding fork member of the articulation device and in contact with the branches (3, 8) and whose web carries a projection (22) cooperating with a complementary projection (24) provided on the other element (12).