Abstract: An articulating mechanism capable of transmitting torque for remote manipulation of a surgical or diagnostic tool comprises at least two adjacent links. A first adjacent link of the adjacent links has a ball and a second adjacent link of the adjacent links has a socket for receiving the ball to form a ball and socket joint. The ball and socket joint includes at least one engaging pin and reciprocal slot that provides for torque transmission between the adjacent links while also allowing for pivoting movement of the first adjacent link relative to the second adjacent link. The articulating mechanism also comprises at least one set of cables connecting the first adjacent link and the second adjacent link to one another such that movement of the first adjacent link causes corresponding relative movement of the second adjacent link.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint comprises a plurality of trunnions which are formed to be spherical, sliding surfaces which extend in a flat configuration along an axial direction of an outer cup, and pairs of slipper members having one side surfaces which are formed with recesses for making contact with spherical surfaces of the trunnions and the other side surfaces which are formed with flat surfaces to make contact with the sliding surfaces, wherein the pair of slipper members are provided slidably with respect to the sliding surface and the spherical surface of the trunnion.

Abstract: A tripod bearing assembly is provided including a spider assembly with a trunion. A bearing assembly is press fit onto the trunion. The bearing assembly has an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of needle rollers to permit relative rotation between the inner and outer races. The bearing assembly is axially retained to the spider.

Abstract: This slidable constant velocity universal joint comprises an outer joint member 1, and a tripod member 4 having a plurality of axially extending leg shafts 5 and outer rings 3 which are rotatably fitted on the leg shafts 5 and whose outer peripheries 3b are spherical. The tripod member 4 is received inside the outer joint member 1, and the outer rings 3 of the tripod member 4 are fitted in track grooves 2 in the outer joint member 1 so that they are slidable axially of the outer joint member. A sliding contact region S where relative sliding between the outer ring 3 and the leg shaft 5 in the leg shaft direction occurs is defined between the outer ring 3 and the leg shaft 5, and the outer ring 3 is allowed to swing around the axis of the leg shaft 5. The center of curvature O of the outer periphery of the outer ring 3 coincides with the sliding contact region S, thereby preventing the outer ring 3 from exhibiting unstable behavior before and after specific phases (0°, 180°).

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint comprises a plurality of trunnions which are formed to be spherical, sliding surfaces which extend in a flat configuration along an axial direction of an outer cup, and pairs of slipper members having one side surfaces which are formed with recesses for making contact with spherical surfaces of the trunnions and the other side surfaces which are formed with flat surfaces to make contact with the sliding surfaces, wherein the pair of slipper members are provided slidably with respect to the sliding surface and the spherical surface of the trunnion.

Abstract: An intermediate roller element for a universal joint includes a strip (12), one face of which includes at least one longitudinal roller track and balls (20) which roll along the track. The balls are held by a cage (22) produced in the form of a plate (24) which extends in a plane substantially parallel to the overall plane of the track (16), and includes cells in which the balls (20) are received. The cage includes portions (28, 32, 34) joining the cage (22) to the strip in order to form a unitary sub-assembly.

Abstract: A universal joint of the tripod type comprising an outer joint member (1) in the form of a sleeve with three internal axis-parallel recesses (2) each with circumferentially opposed track pairs (3, 4), an inner joint member (7) with three arms (8) extending into the recesses, intermediate elements (12) pivotally supported on the arms, and rollers (15) guided in the tracks in the recesses and running on rolling members (14) carried by the intermediate elements, wherein the arms of the inner joint member have part-spherical surfaces (10, 11) facing the tracks in the outer joint member, the intermediate elements are non-rotatably held on the arms and have part-spherical internal surfaces engaging the part-spherical surfaces of the arms, and the rollers are displaceable radially of the joint on the rolling members carried by the intermediate elements as well as being rotatable thereabout.

Abstract: A tripod constant velocity universal joint having an annular outer member, an inner member and three multiple component rollers. The interior surface of the outer member has three longitudinal lobes forming opposing pairs of parallel longitudinal guideways which are engaged by the multiple component rollers. The inner member is centrally positioned within the outer member and has three trunnions extending radially into the three longitudinal lobes. A multiple component roller is pivotally attached to each of the trunnions. Each multiple component roller has oppositely disposed pairs of elongated rollers, each of which engages an adjacent guideway that corresponds to its trunnion. The axis of rotation of the elongated rollers is substantially perpendicular to its adjacent guideway. Each elongated roller is mounted such that it can be axially displaced along its axis of rotation.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a universal joint of the tripot type comprises a drive block and bearing rollers which are retained by two cage pieces which are mounted on the respective opposite driving sides of the drive block so that the bearing rollers on each driving side are retained by a single cage piece. The cage pieces are retained on the drive block by fastening the cage pieces to each other or to the drive block.

Abstract: A telescopic tripot universal joint comprises an inner drive member which has spherical trunnions, an outer drive member which has drive channels with parallel, planar side walls and drive assemblies which are pivotally mounted on the spherical trunnions and disposed in the drive channels. The drive assemblies comprise intermediate drive blocks, bearing rollers which engage the side walls of the drive channels to transmit torque and cage structure which retains the bearing rollers and which is secured to the intermediate drive blocks for simultaneous movement with the intermediate drive block.

Abstract: A tripod type homokinetic universal joint which comprises an outer member, a tripod member, and bearing assemblies interposed between the outer member and the tripod member. Each bearing assembly has a plurality of rows of rollers adapted to roll on rolling guide surfaces on track grooves formed in the inner wall of the outer member. The rolling guide surface is defined by side faces of the track groove and near-corner portions of the base of the track groove. The side faces are so oblique that the track groove will be narrowed toward its inlet. Whereby the rollers cannot get off the rolling guide surface even if no shoulders are formed on the side faces of the track groove.

Abstract: A device adapted for use as a positively driven steering member in a conveying apparatus, having a wheel with a spherically curved inner surface, a hub with a spherically curved outer surface which fits inside of the wheel, and a coupling which secures the wheel to the hub, permitting the axis of the wheel to be rotated relative to the axis of the hub in any direction while restraining relative motion between the wheel and hub about the axis of the hub. This arrangement provides that, when the hub is driven by a shaft passing through its axis, it drives the wheel, regardless of the angle between the hub and wheel.