Abstract: An alignment tool (1) for aligning a bore (13) extending through a first structural member (14) with a bore (19) extending through a second structural member (15) is disclosed. The alignment tool (1) comprises two shaft portions (2, 3) having a cylindrical or cylindrical like configuration. The second shaft portion (3) is arranged adjacent to the first shaft portion (2). A portion of the second surface forms a continuation of a portion of the first surface. A first bushing (8) is arranged along the first shaft portion (2) and substantially covering the first surface, and a second bushing (9) is arranged along the second shaft portion (3) and substantially covering the second surface. Mutual rotational movements are allowed between the first shaft portion (2) and the first bushing (8) and between the second shaft portion (3) and the second bushing (9).

Abstract: A flexible coupling includes an input body, an output body offset from the input body, and a flexible lattice body. The flexible lattice body includes a flex beam member coupling the input body to the output body. The flex beam member has a rounded cross-sectional area with a centrally disposed minimum cross-sectional area to reduce peak stress in the flex beam member while transferring torque and accommodating misalignment between the input body and the output body. The flexible coupling is jointless, simplifying fabrication, and has a free-form geometry, reducing weight.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a first band and a second band which are separated by a slot, are cylindrical and coaxial with one another with respect to a common axis, a first stiffener whose ends are joined to the first band, and a second stiffener whose ends are joined to the second band. A stem extends between the first stiffener and the second stiffener. A crown is around the stem. Four torsion bars exist, of which two extend between the crown and the first band and two extend between the crown and the second band.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a first band and a second band which are separated by a slot, are cylindrical and coaxial with one another with respect to a common axis, and further includes a first torsion bar, whose ends are joined to the first band, and a second torsion bar whose ends are joined to the second band.

Abstract: A torque transmitting device comprises a vibration damping unit for damping torsional vibrations, said unit having at least two transmission parts, wherein one of the transmission parts is assigned to one of the shaft sections and the other transmission part is assigned to the articulated arrangement, and wherein the transmission parts each have segment formations with radial or axial segment sections, which interact in a torque-transmitting manner with one another in a transmission area, wherein at least one damper arrangement is provided between neighboring segment sections in the transmission area.

Abstract: A cable adapted to transmit torque in rigging or furling a sail of a boat includes a core having at least one termination end and a bight, and at least one layer of fiber wound around the core, wherein a fiber in a portion of the fiber layer disposed over a center portion of the bight has a first pitch angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the core and wherein a fiber in a portion of the fiber layer disposed over the at least one termination end has a second pitch angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the core. The fiber layer includes a transition zone disposed between the at least one termination end and the center portion, wherein a fiber in the transition zone has an orientation that transitions from the first pitch angle to the second pitch angle.

Abstract: A driven joint for coupling two structural members is angularly adjustable in two polar or orthogonal dimensions and provides a pair of nonparallel, crossed axles, each having a middle section located between a pair of opposed side sections, wherein the pair of axles are mounted to each other along their respective middle sections and each axle of the pair of axles is rotationally mounted at its respective side sections to a respective structural member, a separate arcuate drive member orthogonally affixed to each respective axle and adapted to enable rotation of its respective axle and a separate drive mechanism mounted to each structural member and adapted to engage and rotate the respective arcuate drive member and the respective axle rotationally mounted to said each structural member.

Abstract: A cable includes a first layer of wire helically wound to define a lumen having a lumen diameter. A second layer of wire is helically wound over the first layer. A first end segment of the second layer is configured with a plurality of strands that are fused together. A second end segment of the second layer is configured with a plurality of strands that are fused together.

Abstract: A cable includes a first layer of wire helically wound to define a lumen having a lumen diameter. A second layer of wire is helically wound over the first layer. A first end segment of the second layer is configured with a plurality of strands that are fused together. A second end segment of the second layer is configured with a plurality of strands that are fused together.

Abstract: In a flexible drive shaft, guided rotatably in a curved, preferably bendable tube (1), with an end piece (2, 3) on the driving side and on the output side, the flexible shaft is formed by a plurality of segments (4) arranged between the two end pieces (2, 3) at a distance from each other, which are connected by means of flexible connecting elements (5, 6, 7, 8) with each other and with the end pieces (2, 3) for the transmission of the rotary movement.

Abstract: A device for the transmission of a rotation motion (1) comprising a flexible shaft and a sheath (3), said sheath (3) comprising a core (4), the core (4) comprising at least one shoulder-forming area (6), said area (6) comprising at least three portions, two external portions (7, 8) and a central portion (9), said portions having axes substantially parallel to that of the core (4) and having diameters substantially equal to that of the core (4), the external portions (7, 8) being substantially coaxial and having their axes shifted with respect to the axis of the central portion (9) and of the core (4), said device comprises an inner tube (2) positioned inside the core (4) the tube (2) being deformed in a similar way as the core (4) in the shoulder-forming area (6).

Abstract: A pulley type constant velocity joint may include first and second shafts for transmitting and receiving power therebetween, first and second pulleys being fixedly attached to ends of the first and second shafts, respectively, and first and second wires wound around circumferential grooves of the first and second pulleys to allow the first and second pulleys to be rotated with reference to the center of the first and second pulleys. Further, first and second support frames may be included for rotatably supporting each center of the first and second pulleys, both ends of which are rotatably connected to each other. The constant velocity joint may also include two rotating pins to rotatably connect the first and second pulleys and the frames at the centers of the first and second pulleys, and two connecting pins for connecting the first and the second frames at their ends and for allowing rotation of the frames.

Abstract: A pulley type constant velocity joint may include first and second shafts for transmitting and receiving power therebetween, first and second pulleys being fixedly attached to ends of the first and second shafts, respectively, and a wire wound around circumferential grooves of the first and second pulleys to allow the first and second pulleys to be rotated with reference to the center of the first and second pulleys. Further, first and second support frames may be included for rotatably supporting each center of the first and second pulleys, both ends of which are rotatably connected to each other. The constant velocity joint may also include two rotating pins to rotatably connect the first and second pulleys and the frames at the centers of the first and second pulleys, and two connecting pins for connecting the first and the second frames at their ends and for allowing rotation of the frames.

Abstract: A cardan-type joint has flanges which are arranged on mutually facing shaft ends and preferably have three axially projecting driving pins, respectively, which are mutually staggered and uniformly arranged on the circumference of a common graduated circle. The driving pins are connected with one another in a torsion-proof manner by a flexible joint ring which is provided in corner points with sockets for the driving pins. The multi-part joint ring is formed by a collar of several oval driving loops. Each of the driving loops winds around two adjacent sockets. In order to easily permit relatively large bending angles during rotation, even in the event of a high mechanical and thermal loading of the cardan-type joint, the oval driving loops are indirectly or directly swivellably disposed on the driving pins by a pair of contact surfaces which are round in a meridian section in an axially slidable manner on the socket or on the driving loop.

Abstract: Two shafts in a double universal joint system are linked so that swivel of one shaft about a first pivot point in one universal joint results in a corresponding amount of swivel in the other shaft about a second pivot point in the other universal joint. Two mechanical paths couple swivel of the shafts. The two paths work in concert to couple swivel of the one shaft about a first axis to equal swivel of the other shaft about a corresponding axis, and the same two paths work in contrast to couple the swivel of the one shaft about a second axis to equal swivel of the other shaft about a second corresponding axis. This mechanism can be used to assure constant velocity operation of a double Cardan universal joint directly, or this mechanism can be used as an external harness to control the positioning of a double universal joint.

Abstract: A cable-compliant robotic joint includes two "U" configuration cross-section brackets with their "U" cross-sections lying in different planes, one of the brackets being connected to a robot arm and the other to a tool. Additional angle brackets are displaced from the other brackets at corners of the robotic joint. All the brackets are connected by cable segments which lie in one or more planes which are perpendicular to the direction of tool travel as it approaches a work object. The compliance of the joint is determined by the cable segment characteristics, such as their length, material, angle, stranding, pre-twisting and pre-stressing.

Abstract: A compliant joint is provided for prosthetic and robotic devices which permits rotation in three different planes. The joint provides for the controlled use of cable under motion. Perpendicular outer mounting frames are joined by swaged cables that interlock at a center block. Ball bearings allow for the free rotation of the second mounting frame relative to the first mounting frame within a predetermined angular rotation that is controlled by two stop devices. The cables allow for compliance at the stops and the cables allow for compliance in six degrees of freedom enabling the duplication or simulation of the rotational movement and flexibility of a natural hip or knee joint, as well as the simulation of a joint designed for a specific robotic component for predetermined design parameters.

Abstract: An elastic joint for the transmission of motion between a driving shaft and a driven shaft, comprising in effect two tetrahedrons joined together along one edge.The two tetrahedrons are constituted by eight edges formed by flexible elements resistant to tensile stresses; the furthermost edges and the joining edge are formed of material resistant to compression stresses.

Abstract: A pair of rotatable members, one having a greater inside diameter than the outside diameter of the other are interconnected by flexible members extending tangentially to the first rotatable member from one location on the second rotatable member to a second location on the second rotatable member circumferentially spaced from the first location.The first rotatable member has a plurality of grooves for changing the axial location of each flexible member.

Abstract: A torsionally elastic shock and vibration absorbing coupling, comprises first and second coupling parts which are adapted to be connected to the respective parts which are to be coupled together and which have coupling portions with openings therethrough. An annular resiliently deformable pressure cushion is disposed between the coupling parts with the openings and is connected to each part such as by vulcanizing. At least one substantially non-stretchable rope which passes through the receiving openings of the respective coupling parts overlie the cushion, and extend circumferentially along portions of the respective parts and, between the parts, to interconnect them.