A fastening system including a first sintered powder metal fastening component and a second metal fastening component. The first sintered powder metal fastening component has a first porous surface and a one-part adhesive in the first porous surface. The second metal fastening component has a second surface. The second surface is configured to frictionally engage with the first porous surface.

A fastening system including a first sintered powder metal fastening component and a second metal fastening component. The first sintered powder metal fastening component has a first porous surface and a one-part adhesive in the first porous surface. The second metal fastening component has a second surface. The second surface is configured to frictionally engage with the first porous surface.

A method of manufacturing an engine connecting rod includes mounting a rod on a first mount configured to rotate, mounting a cap on a second mount configured to rotate, positioning a spindle head such that a tool of the spindle head contacts a first connecting end of the rod, machining the first connecting end by spinning the first mount, machining the first connecting end by moving the spindle head, positioning the spindle head such that the tool of the spindle head contacts a second connecting end of the cap configured to be coupled to the first connecting end, machining the second connecting end by spinning the second mount, and machining the second connecting end by moving the spindle head. The spindle head is moveable in a first direction extending between the first and second mounts, a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, and rotatable about an axis.

A folding assembly is movable between a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration includes a first rotating link having a first end pivotably coupled to a structural member/frame and a second end. The folding assembly also includes a second rotating link having a first end pivotably coupled to the structural member/frame and a second end. A first connecting link is pivotably coupled between the first rotating link and the second rotating link. A first end of a second connecting link is pivotably coupled to the first rotating link second end. The folding assembly further includes a support link having a first end pivotably coupled to the first rotating link second end and a second end configured to couple to a component to be moved. The support link is configured to selectively move the component between, inclusively, a retracted position and a deployed position.

A brake rod for a steering/braking mechanism includes a rod body having a longitudinal axis, a rod end at a first end of the rod body, the rod end having a bore therethrough having a bore axis arranged generally perpendicular to the rod longitudinal axis, and a rod end shield mounted to the rod and extending in a longitudinal direction axially beyond the rod end.

A brake rod for a steering/braking mechanism includes a rod body having a longitudinal axis, a rod end at a first end of the rod body, the rod end having a bore therethrough having a bore axis arranged generally perpendicular to the rod longitudinal axis, and a rod end shield mounted to the rod and extending in a longitudinal direction axially beyond the rod end.

A joint assembly for a steering tie rod assembly includes a tie rod. The joint assembly also includes a yoke including a first leg and a second leg, wherein each of the first and second legs define a respective hole aligned with each other. The joint assembly further includes a first pin extending through each of the respective holes defined by the first leg and the second leg of the yoke and through a first hole of the tie rod. The joint assembly yet further includes a second pin disposed in a second hole defined by the tie rod and defining a central hole that the first pin extends through.

The invention provides a design method for a connecting rod. The connecting rod includes a first end, a shank and a second end; and the shank is connected between the first end and the second end. The design method includes: determining a weight m.sub.1 of a standard steel connecting rod; determining a weight m.sub.2 of a nodular cast iron connecting rod having the same size with the standard steel connecting rod; and simulating to reinforce the shank with a reinforcement material having a preset weight m, and calculating a size of the reinforced shank; where m.sub.1>m.sub.2, and m<m.sub.1−m.sub.2. The present invention overcomes the technical problem that existing steel connecting rods have larger weights.

A composite tube joint may comprise an end of a composite tube, an attachment feature comprising a first portion disposed within the end and a second portion extending from the end, wherein the first portion comprises a protuberant surface, and the protuberant surface mitigates movement of the attachment feature relative to the composite tube.

A composite tube joint may comprise an end of a composite tube, an attachment feature comprising a first portion disposed within the end and a second portion extending from the end, wherein the first portion comprises a protuberant surface, and the protuberant surface mitigates movement of the attachment feature relative to the composite tube.