Gkn Automotive Components, Inc.

Gkn Automotive Gmbh

Francis L Fillmore

Daniel W Hazebrook

Michael J Schmidt

David Wampler, Jr

Danny D Brown

Theodore H Collins

A telescopic triplan universal joint having an inner joint member and an outer joint member. The outer joint member has three longitudinal chambers equally spaced about an axis of rotation. Each chamber has a pair of face-to-face longitudinal guideways. The inner joint member has three trunnions which radially extend into the three longitudinal chambers. Each longitudinal guideway is rollingly engaged by a planar roller bearing which is movable therealong. A movable race is disposed between each planar roller bearing and the trunnion extending into its associated chamber. The movable race has a flat surface engaging the planar roller bearing, a concave trunnion seat mating with the spherical surface of the trunnion, and a pair of transverse stop abutments which limit the longitudinal displacement of the planar roller bearing along the guideways relative to the movable race.

Telescopic triplan universal joint

A nonmetallic boot restraint for restraining and shrouding the flexible boot of an automotive propshaft constant velocity universal joint of the plunging type. The boot restraint is preferably formed from a puncture-resistant, semi-rigid organic material, such as Nylon (polyamide), and it can be repeatedly assembled to and disassembled from the drive joint without damage to either the boot restraint or the associated boot. An end of the boot restraint traps an end of the boot in sealing engagement with the outside surface of the outer joint member of the drive joint, and a removable clamp maintains this relationship between the outer joint member, the boot, and the boot restraint.

Boot restraint for plunging universal joint

A clamp and method enabling the tightness established by a clamp connection to be checked after installation. The clamp consisting of a band member formed with diametrically opposite eyelets which are engageable with a spanner tool, which in turn is engagable with a torque wrench to enable the tightness of the clamped connection to be checked by applying a torque sufficient to just slip.

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Birmingham, MI, United States of America

Francis L Fillmore