A power transmission shaft comprises a shaft unit interposed between first and second shafts; an engaged portion provided on one end of the second shaft and having an annular stepped part provided between a smaller diameter portion and a larger diameter portion; and an engaging portion provided on one end of the shaft unit and joinable with the engaged portion to rotate together about a common rotation axis, wherein the engaging portion comprises a cylindrical base portion that rotates together with the shaft unit, an elastically shrinkable cylindrical portion that is provided on one axial end of the cylindrical base portion to project toward the engaged portion and catching pawls that are provided by the elastically shrinkable cylindrical portion and latchingly engageable with the annular stepped part when the engaged portion and the engaging portion are coaxially arranged and joined with each other.

A power transmission shaft comprises a shaft unit interposed between first and second shafts; an engaged portion provided on one end of the second shaft and having an annular stepped part provided between a smaller diameter portion and a larger diameter portion; and an engaging portion provided on one end of the shaft unit and joinable with the engaged portion to rotate together about a common rotation axis, wherein the engaging portion comprises a cylindrical base portion that rotates together with the shaft unit, an elastically shrinkable cylindrical portion that is provided on one axial end of the cylindrical base portion to project toward the engaged portion and catching pawls that are provided by the elastically shrinkable cylindrical portion and latchingly engageable with the annular stepped part when the engaged portion and the engaging portion are coaxially arranged and joined with each other.

A connector and associated system. In a first aspect, the connector comprises a patterned surface and a primary track. The patterned surface comprises a surface aperture pattern that is configured to receive at least one protruding element, the protruding element being configured to connect the connector to a first modular component. The primary track is connected to the patterned surface. The primary track can slidably engage a protruding element of a second modular component, thereby connecting the first modular component and the second modular component. In a second aspect, a system can comprise the connector, the first modular component and the second modular component.

A connector and associated system. In a first aspect, the connector comprises a patterned surface and a primary track. The patterned surface comprises a surface aperture pattern that is configured to receive at least one protruding element, the protruding element being configured to connect the connector to a first modular component. The primary track is connected to the patterned surface. The primary track can slidably engage a protruding element of a second modular component, thereby connecting the first modular component and the second modular component. In a second aspect, a system can comprise the connector, the first modular component and the second modular component.

Described herein is a method for joining a first metal pipe with a second metal pipe, the pipes being joined together in an overlapping area by use of a two-component polyurethane adhesive that encapsulates the overlapping area, where the method includes the steps of:

(1) applying the two-component polyurethane adhesive onto an inner surface of a fixture;
(2) inserting one end of the first metal pipe into one end of the second metal pipe so as to form a pipe assembly having the overlapping area between the two ends, and putting the overlapping area of the pipe assembly into the fixture; (3) closing the fixture such that the overlapping area of the pipe assembly is fixed in the fixture, and such that the adhesive therein encapsulates the overlapping area of the pipe assembly; (4) curing the two-component polyurethane adhesive; and (5) optionally, removing the fixture from the pipe assembly.

A system for manufacturing a drive shaft assembly comprises a welding apparatus configured to weld a tube to an end fitting to form the drive shaft assembly having an annular weld. A transport apparatus is configured to transport the drive shaft assembly away from the welding apparatus. A knurling apparatus receives the drive shaft assembly from the transport apparatus. The knurling apparatus is configured to knurl the weld of the drive shaft assembly. The knurling apparatus includes a pair of knurling plates having textured surfaces in facing relationship. One of the knurling plates is configured to move relative to the other of the knurling plates to roll the drive shaft assembly between the textured surfaces, thereby knurling the weld to improve an appearance and texture of the outer surface of the drive shaft assembly.

A system for manufacturing a drive shaft assembly comprises a welding apparatus configured to weld a tube to an end fitting to form the drive shaft assembly having an annular weld. A transport apparatus is configured to transport the drive shaft assembly away from the welding apparatus. A knurling apparatus receives the drive shaft assembly from the transport apparatus. The knurling apparatus is configured to knurl the weld of the drive shaft assembly. The knurling apparatus includes a pair of knurling plates having textured surfaces in facing relationship. One of the knurling plates is configured to move relative to the other of the knurling plates to roll the drive shaft assembly between the textured surfaces, thereby knurling the weld to improve an appearance and texture of the outer surface of the drive shaft assembly.

A connector includes, an elongate web member, a pair of first and second elongate members extending outward from an end of the web member at a first angle relative to each other to form a V-shape, and a pair of third and fourth elongate members extending outward from an opposite end of the web member at a second angle relative to each other to form a V-shape. The first and second elongate members each have a respective longitudinal free end, and the third and fourth elongate members each have a respective longitudinal free end. The first and second elongate members are slidably engaged with respective receiving slots in a first element, and the third and fourth elongate members are slidably engaged with receiving slots in a second element to join the first and second elements together.

A connector includes, an elongate web member, a pair of first and second elongate members extending outward from an end of the web member at a first angle relative to each other to form a V-shape, and a pair of third and fourth elongate members extending outward from an opposite end of the web member at a second angle relative to each other to form a V-shape. The first and second elongate members each have a respective longitudinal free end, and the third and fourth elongate members each have a respective longitudinal free end. The first and second elongate members are slidably engaged with respective receiving slots in a first element, and the third and fourth elongate members are slidably engaged with receiving slots in a second element to join the first and second elements together.

A vehicle component such as an axle spindle or suspension beam (3) is connected to a tubular vehicle axle (1) by fitting a connector sleeve (2) onto the axle and subjecting the assembly to a crimping operation in which plural depressions (206,2018) are formed by indentation in the connector sleeve and the axle wall at the connection region (11,12) to fix the connector sleeve on the tubular axle. In the described proposals a solid lubricant (4) such as molybdenum disulphide is applied at the connection region between the connector sleeve (2) and axle (1), before crimping. The further vehicle component (3) is then connected to the connector sleeve (2) by welding.