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.

Disclosed is a variable compression ratio engine. When it is desired to change a compression ratio of fuel/air mixture, a first latching pin or a second latching pin is moved to restrict or allow rotation of a first connecting rod so that the first connecting rod moves linearly with respect to a second connecting rod, thereby variably adjusting the entire length of the connecting rod assembly and changing the compression ratio.

A connecting rod and piston assembly for use in an oil-less pneumatic motor, wherein said connecting rod and piston do not require a wrist pin for connecting said rod to said piston; said connecting rod having at least two ends, connected to each other by a connecting member of a predetermined length; said at least two ends being a piston end and a crankshaft end; said piston end being distant said crankshaft end; said piston having a cylinder end and a connecting rod piston end receiving end, wherein said connecting rod piston end receiving end matingly engages said connecting rod piston end; said piston end is substantially ball shaped and said crankshaft end is shaped for engagement with a crankshaft; said connecting rod piston end receiving end is a socket shape to matingly receive said ball shaped piston end.

A connecting rod and piston assembly for use in an oil-less pneumatic motor, wherein said connecting rod and piston do not require a wrist pin for connecting said rod to said piston; said connecting rod having at least two ends, connected to each other by a connecting member of a predetermined length; said at least two ends being a piston end and a crankshaft end; said piston end being distant said crankshaft end; said piston having a cylinder end and a connecting rod piston end receiving end, wherein said connecting rod piston end receiving end matingly engages said connecting rod piston end; said piston end is substantially ball shaped and said crankshaft end is shaped for engagement with a crankshaft; said connecting rod piston end receiving end is a socket shape to matingly receive said ball shaped piston end.

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 connecting rod for an internal combustion engine may include a connecting rod shank, a large connecting rod eye, and a small connecting rod eye with a pin bore. An end face of the small connecting rod eye may also include at least one overhang, the overhang running parallel to a central axis of the pin bore over its entire width transverse to the central axis of the pin bore. An edge of the overhang may also run parallel to the central axis of the pin bore.

A connecting rod for an internal combustion engine may include a connecting rod shank, a large connecting rod eye, and a small connecting rod eye with a pin bore. An end face of the small connecting rod eye may also include at least one overhang, the overhang running parallel to a central axis of the pin bore over its entire width transverse to the central axis of the pin bore. An edge of the overhang may also run parallel to the central axis of the pin bore.

A fail-safe push-pull rod has two load paths that are separated from each other, of which always only one takes up the load transmission and which automatically detects possible damage to or functional failure of the first load path so that in such a case then the second load path takes over the load transmission, whereby the functional change from the first to the second load path can be determined during the routine maintenance inspection by an inspection hole irreversibly showing the damage or the failure of the first load path.

A fail-safe push-pull rod has two load paths that are separated from each other, of which always only one takes up the load transmission and which automatically detects possible damage to or functional failure of the first load path so that in such a case then the second load path takes over the load transmission, whereby the functional change from the first to the second load path can be determined during the routine maintenance inspection by an inspection hole irreversibly showing the damage or the failure of the first load path.

An end fitting connector assembly includes an end fitting having a first end, a second end and a through opening that extends in a direction that is transverse to an end fitting axis extending through the first and second ends and in which the through opening is defined by a peripheral wall. An elastically deformable race fitted into the through opening of the end fitting includes an exterior surface that engages the peripheral wall and an interior surface configured to provide snap fitting engagement with a spherical ball mount. At least one feature retaining the race within the end fitting creates an increased disassembly force, which may prevent disassembly without employing a release tool or release feature. The interior and exterior surfaces of the race can include spherical surfaces for conforming to the spherical ball and the peripheral wall of the end fitting.