Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle, an elongated body, a firing assembly, and a stapling assembly. The body extends from the handle and includes an engagement member rotatably supported on to a distal portion of the body. The engagement member defines an engagement slot and is axially movable about the body from a retracted position to an advanced position. The firing assembly includes a trigger, firing link, and pusher link. The pusher link is movably supported for distal translation through the body in response to actuation of the trigger. The stapling assembly houses a plurality of surgical staples and includes an outer shell having an engagement tab. The engagement member is rotatable relative to the body and the stapling assembly to releasably position the engagement tab within the engagement slot, thereby securing the stapling assembly at the distal end of the body.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a device may include a first member, a second member, and a wrist mechanism disposed between the first member and the second member. The wrist mechanism may include a first cylinder portion coupled to the first member, and a second cylinder portion coupled to the second member. The first cylinder portion may be rollably engaged with the second cylinder portion such that movement of the first cylinder portion with respect to the second cylinder portion is configured to cause the first member to move in at least two directions with respect to the second member. The second cylinder portion may be positioned with respect to the first cylinder portion such that a longitudinal axis of the second cylinder portion is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first cylinder portion.

Abstract: An articulating assembly, including a first member having a first end, a second member, and a first coupling shaft engaged with the first end of the first member and with the second member, wherein the first coupling shaft has a first coupling shaft axis, the first coupling shaft is rotatable relative to the second member about the first coupling shaft axis, wherein the first member is rotatable relative to the first coupling shaft about a swivel axis, and wherein the swivel axis is perpendicular to the first coupling shaft axis, thereby providing an articulating coupling between the first end of the first member and the second member. The articulating assembly may further include an articulating coupling between a second end of the first member and a third member.

Abstract: A connecting arrangement for connecting two parts (1, 5) by way of two connected sockets (2, 4), wherein parts and sockets have rotationally symmetrical engagement regions, not exceeding 180°, about engagement axes (11, 15 or 12, 14), which engagement regions are complementary between one part and one socket each, wherein one socket is rotated into one part each, and the complementary engagement regions hold the part on its socket so as to be pivotable about the respective aligned engagement axes and so as to withstand tensions in the direction of a zenith axis of the parts (10 or 16), and in that, after the parts and socket pairs are rotated into engagement and positioned with respect to each other, the sockets (2, 4) are connected to each other, the connection being rotationally and tensionally stiff with respect to the direction of the zenith axes.

Abstract: An auxiliary drive system for a water pump includes a pump housing that is mounted to an engine block. The pump housing includes an impeller shaft that passes therethrough. One end of the impeller shaft has an impeller mounted thereon, which is part of the water pump. A second end of the impeller shaft is supported by an internal bearing to allow for rotation of the impeller shaft. An external bearing is disposed around, but not in contact with the impeller shaft or the internal bearing. The external bearing is in communication with and is driven by an engine belt, such as a timing belt, which helps rotate the impeller shaft and the impeller in accordance with engine operation. A collapsible gear is disposed between and effectuates engagement of the external bearing and the impeller shaft such that if the amount of force required to be exerted by the belt exceeds a certain predetermined threshold, the collapsible gear fails and thereby prevents damage to the engine.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a pivotal member and two connecting assemblies. The two connecting assemblies are assembled to two ends of the pivotal member, respectively, such that the two connecting assemblies are rotatably assembled together via the pivotal member. The pivotal member defines four arc-shaped pivotal slots spaced to each other at an outer periphery thereof. Each connecting assembly includes two connecting members respectively assembled to the two symmetrical pivotal slots of the pivotal member, and are positioned at a same end of the pivotal member.

Abstract: A gear joint with finished surfaces and other enhancements that allows the gear joint to accommodate higher loads. In particular, in one embodiment, the invention is a ball gear system including a ball gear having a spherical surface, a ring gear configured to receive the ball gear therein and be rotationally coupled thereto, and a thrust plate. The thrust plate is configured to be positioned adjacent to the ball gear to take up thrust forces transmitted thereto. The thrust plate has a recess configured to closely receive the spherical surface therein, and the spherical surface has a surface roughness of less than about 10 Ra in microns.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a pivotal member and two connecting assemblies. The two connecting assemblies are assembled to two ends of the pivotal member, respectively, such that the two connecting assemblies are rotatably assembled together via the pivotal member. The pivotal member defines four arc-shaped pivotal slots spaced to each other at an outer periphery thereof. Each connecting assembly includes two connecting members respectively assembled to the two symmetrical pivotal slots of the pivotal member, and are positioned at a same end of the pivotal member.

Abstract: An extensive device is disclosed to connect a bit to a handle of a tool. The extensive device includes a rod, a polygonal sphere, a socket and a retaining element. The polygonal sphere is connected to the rod near an end. The socket includes a polygonal cavity, a tunnel and a groove. The polygonal cavity receives the polygonal sphere so that the surface of the polygonal sphere is in contact with the wall of the polygonal cavity. The rod and the socket are coaxial when the end of the rod is disposed in the tunnel. The rod can be pivoted relative to the socket when the end of the rod is located outside the tunnel. The groove is defined in the wall of the polygonal cavity. The restraining element is fit in the groove of the socket to keep the polygonal sphere in the polygonal cavity of the socket.

Abstract: A simple, center-less universal joint of ultra tight tolerance comprising two yokes, each having two facing, distinctly round interface surface areas; both yokes being easily engaged (a self aligning process) and disengaged.

Abstract: A high torque driveline coupler is provided for use in the driveline between a drive motor and a wheel drive of a sprinkler irrigation system. The coupler has first and second yoke assemblies with intermeshed pairs of legs, and a floating rubber member with radially extending arms positioned between the intermeshed legs of the yoke assemblies. The legs of the yoke assemblies and the floating rubber member are arranged to allow the coupler to be quickly and easily coupled and decoupled without the use of separate means for securing the yoke assemblies together. The coupler has a unique alignment system for aligning the floating member with the yoke assemblies. The alignment system includes first and second recesses formed in opposite sides of a center portion of the floating rubber member, and first and second projections extending from the first and second yoke assemblies, respectively.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint wherein the relatively moveable components are substantially contained within a cup-like housing having an open end. A spherical enlargement on the input shaft provides a sealing surface which may be sealed with relatively conventional seals. A concavo-convex connecting link is interconnected with both the input shaft and with the output shaft through interconnected arcuate T-shaped tongues and grooves which extend concentrically to the spherical enlargement surface to permit the joint components to maintain proper position at all times.

Abstract: An operator for controlling movement of a window sash relative to a window frame, including a drive gear pivotable about a central axis substantially perpendicular to one side of the window frame and drivably linked to move the sash, a connector defining first and second pivot axes intersecting at a point and rotatable around the intersection point, a worm pivotable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the central axis and drivably engaging a portion of the drive gear by a helical thread having variable height peaks lying in an annular orientation substantially conforming to the annular orientation of the drive gear portion, and a drive input shaft rotatable about a shaft axis intersecting the worm axis at an angle. The worm, connector and drive shaft are secured whereby the connector is pivotable relative to the worm about the first pivot axis and the connector is pivotable relative to the drive shaft about the second pivot axis.

Abstract: A universal joint between an upper steering shaft and a lower steering shaft in a tilt-adjustable motor vehicle steering column includes a pair of bifurcated yokes formed to near-net-shape integrally with the upper and lower shafts, a plastic jacket molded in-situ on each of the bifurcated yokes, and a plastic centering sphere. Each of the plastic jackets has a pair of exposed, frusto-conical bearing surfaces molded thereon which slidably engage corresponding frusto-conical side walls of cross grooves in the plastic centering sphere.

Abstract: A constant velocity universals joint accepts rotary input through its axle and is also steered by a thrust bearing. A ball member having outward projections passes rotary motion to a surrounding socket member having cooperating inward projections which slidingly engage the ball projections. Both types of projections rotate about respective mountings. As the socket member turns in response to a steering input and the ball member maintains its orientation, the respective cooperating projections rotate about their mountings and slide across one another. The ball member thus continues to propel the socket member while accommodating variable angularity therebetween.

Abstract: A cardan joint is provided for transmitting rotation between first and second parts of a toy building set. A first rotating part consists of a shaft having a coupler head at one end in the form of flaps which project radially outwardly with respect to the shaft axis and which form spherical segments of a cardan ball. A second rotating part includes a cavity into which the coupling head of the first part fits. Carrier pins extend radially inwardly into the cavity to mesh between and be displaced along the flaps so that the coupler head with the flap may be tiltable about at least one pin.

Abstract: A universal joint including an intermediate joint member having a spherical portion as assembled and four ridges formed on the outer surface of the spherical portion and defining four guide furrows therebetween, and two shaft each having one end bifurcating into two arms. The two arms of one of the shafts are fitted in two of the guide furrows positioned symmetrically, and the two arms of the other shaft are fitted in the other two guide furrows positioned symmetrically. The entire joint member comprises two divided half segments arranged in combination axially of the member.