Abstract: An articulating driver having a ball-in-socket joint. The driver may include a driver tip having a spherical head, a retention cap having a domed surface to mate with the spherical head, an input shaft, a spring disposed in an end of the input shaft and in a recess of the retention cap opposite that of the domed surface, and a housing that receives the input shaft, the spring, the retention cap and the spherical head. The housing may have a tapered end to positionally retain the spherical head therein. In another aspect, the driver may include a driver tip coupled to the input shaft that includes an interface to engage a screw. A bushing may engage the driver tip at one end and receive the screw at the other end to retain the screw within the driver.

Abstract: An articulating driver having a ball-in-socket joint. The driver may include a driver tip having a spherical head, a retention cap having a domed surface to mate with the spherical head, an input shaft, a spring disposed in an end of the input shaft and in a recess of the retention cap opposite that of the domed surface, and a housing that receives the input shaft, the spring, the retention cap and the spherical head. The housing may have a tapered end to positionally retain the spherical head therein. In another aspect, the driver may include a driver tip coupled to the input shaft that includes an interface to engage a screw. A bushing may engage the driver tip at one end and receive the screw at the other end to retain the screw within the driver.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a rotatable member rotatably supported in a casing to permit rotation about an axis of the rotatable member, a developer roller rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2 about which the coupling member is rotatable and a free end portion for receiving a rotational force. The free end portion of the coupling includes at least two projections that are positioned at least partially outside of the casing, with each of the at least two projections being open to the axis L2. The coupling member is operatively connected to the rotatable member and the developer roller in order to transmit the rotational force to the rotatable member and the developer roller.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems are provided. For example, in one embodiment of apparatus an upper back-plate includes shoulder supports and a connector. The apparatus also includes an articulating spine adapted to connect to the upper back-plate connector. The articulating spine includes a plurality of vertebra. Each vertebra a longitudinal bore. Some vertebra is adapted to mate with another vertebra Compressible discs are provided having a bore adapted to reside on each vertebra. A lower back-plate includes a receiving portion adapted to one end of the articulating spine. A chord interconnects each vertebra by insertion of the chord through the vertebrae bores, a bore in the upper back-plate, and a bore in a lower back-plate. The lower back-plate is adapted to connect to a hip mounted belt. Other embodiments are provided that include apparatuses and systems having features similar to the system described above.

Abstract: An end member which is disposed in an end portion of a columnar rotating body mounted on an image forming apparatus main body, comprises: a tubular bearing member; and a shaft member held by the bearing member, wherein the shaft member includes a rotating shaft which is disposed in the bearing member, and moves in an axial direction, and a rotating force receiving member which is provided with an engagement hook that is disposed in one end portion of the rotating shaft, swings with respect to an axis of the rotating shaft, and is engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge comprises a guide member, a developer roller having an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2, with the coupling member including at least one projection. A relative positioning of the coupling member and the guide member is changeable between a first relative position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from an end of the guide member as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and a second relative position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the end of the guide member as measured in the direction of the axis L1, with the first distance being greater than the second distance.

Abstract: A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion connected to the drum flange, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1.

Abstract: A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion connected to the drum flange, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1.

Abstract: The process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion connected to a drum flange, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

Abstract: The process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion connected to a drum flange, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge comprises a developer roller having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion operatively connected to the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from the developer roller as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the developer roller as measured in the direction of the axis L1, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a guide member, a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2 and at least one projection. Relative positioning of the coupling member and the guide member is changeable between (i) a first relative position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from an end of the guide member as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second relative position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the end of the guide member as measured in the direction of the axis L1, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge comprises a guide member, a developing roller having an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2 and at least one projection. A relative positioning of the coupling member and the guide member is changeable between (i) a first relative position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from an end of the guide member as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second relative position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the end of the guide member as measured in the direction of the axis L1, with the first distance being greater than the second distance.

Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a guide member positioned at a side of the process cartridge, a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2, with the coupling member including at least one projection. A relative positioning of the coupling member and the guide member is changeable between (i) a first relative position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from an end of the guide member as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second relative position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the end of the guide member as measured in the direction of the axis L1, with the first distance being greater than the second distance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge comprises a developer roller having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion operatively connected to the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from the developer roller as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the developer roller as measured in the direction of the axis L1, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

Abstract: The invention related to a handheld power tool having a linear actuator and a removable member, e.g. a blade, wherein the movable member is directly connected to the actuator via a connecting rod, which pushes the movable member during a work stroke and pulls the movable member to a starting position during a return stroke. One end of the connected rod is connected, via a concentric dual ball-and-socket joint, to the actuator as well as to a guide ring that slides inside the cylindrical body of the tool. Lateral and bending forces are taken up and transmitted to the body of the tool by the guide ring without affecting the actuator. The ring defines a sealed space that houses the actuator. An axial cavity of the connecting rod partially houses the actuator in the retracted position, thus reducing the length of the tool.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly for a downhole motor includes a drive shaft formed with convexly spherical bearing surfaces on each end, and end housings with concavely spherical bearing surfaces for mating contact with the spherical bearing surfaces of the drive shaft, thereby facilitating omni-directional articulation between the drive shaft and the end housings while transferring axial thrust loads between the drive shaft and end housings across the interface of the mating spherical bearing surfaces. Torque is transferred between the drive shaft and end housings through two or alternatively four swivelling drive keys mounted to each end of the drive shaft and engageable with complementary drive key slots in the end housings. Full and constant torque-transferring contact is thus provided between the swivelling drive keys and the end housings irrespective of any angular offset between the drive shaft and the end housings, resulting from omni-directional articulation of the drive shaft relative to the end housing.

Abstract: A universal joint is provided with a rotation shaft having a ball portion provided at an end thereof and a pair of projections formed on a diameter line of the ball portion, and a rotation body having guide grooves formed for receiving insertion of the respective projections of the rotation shaft and a holding hole formed for holding the ball portion, the ball portion being rotatable about an axis line of the projections and rotatable while inclining the projections along the guide grooves. In the universal joint pins serving as a stopper are provided in the holding hole for inhibiting the ball portion from slipping off.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint comprises trunnions each of which expands toward a guide groove and each of which is provided with a spherical surface along a circumferential direction, inner rollers each of which has a recess having a spherical surface formed on an inner circumferential surface to make surface-to-surface contact corresponding to the spherical surface, and outer rollers each of which is externally fitted to the inner roller via needle bearings and each of which is provided relatively displaceably with respect to the inner roller along an axial direction (direction of the arrow B) of the trunnion.

Abstract: A universal joint for use with impact wrenches and the like comprising a coupling having a bore at one end for engaging the drive shaft of a wrench and a ball receiving cavity at its other end; a socket engaging part having a ball member disposed in the ball receiving cavity; and a guide sleeve concentrically and slidably mounted for free rotation to the coupling, the guide sleeve having a substantially smooth uninterrupted outer cylindrical surface which may be held between the fingers of an operator while the joint is rotating.

Abstract: A serpentine tube inspection positioning spine formed from a plurality of identical links mated together. Each link has first and second bifurcated ends with the first end sized to fit within the second end of an adjacent link. Links are mated together by a pivot pin or axle which is accepted in a bore through the bifurcated ends. The second bifurcated end is provided with a substantially oval-shaped bore to allow sliding of the adjacent links relative to each other. Flat alignment faces on each end, with the first end having rounded corners, prevent buckling due to compressive forces during insertion while still allowing pivoting of the links for traveling through tubing bends.

Abstract: A transmission includes two constant-speed joints interconnected by a tubular shaft. The tubular shaft is made from a steel for thermochemical treatment and is welded at at least one of its ends to an element of an adjacent constant-speed joint before the thermochemical treatment of the latter. The two elements are subjected after their assembly to the same cementation or carbonitriding treatment.

Abstract: An anti-backlash double universal flexible coupling for providing positive and accurate angular positioning, constant rotational velocity and constant torque between an input driving shaft and an output driven shaft. The coupling includes universal pins supported by the driving and driven shafts and an intermediate coupling link comprising two coupling plates having bearing surfaces urged against the pins by a resilient element. The pins are maintained coplanar and parallel between the coupling plates.

Abstract: The joint comprises two opposed forks which are angularly offset from each other at 60.degree. and are axially extended by nose portions which are internally spherical. These nose portions swivel on a ring through which extends with a large clearance a shaft section which carries at each end a tripod element associated with one of the forks. The ring is maintained roughly in the bisecting plane of the joint by contact or quasi-contact with the rollers of the two tripod elements. In this way it is possible to produce steering road wheel homokinetic joints which are capable of operating at angles of 50.degree. and more with no reduction in their transmitting capacity.