A ball cage for universal use both in a cross-groove type plunging constant velocity joint and in a cross-groove type fixed constant velocity joint has an external contour with sections of different curvature. Axial edge sections of the external contour are designed as spherical sections located on the circumference of an imaginary sphere, whereas a center section of the external contour located axially between the edge sections runs radially inside the diameter of the imaginary sphere.

A joint assembly and method of utilizing the same. The joint assembly includes a first joint member drivingly connected to a second joint member by using one or more third joint members. At least a portion of a cage member is interposed between the first and second joint members. When the first joint member is plunged in a first direction, at least a portion of one or more first engagement portions of the first joint member are in direct contact with at least a portion of one or more first engagement portions of the cage member. When the first joint member is plunged in a second direction, opposite the first direction, at least a portion of one or more second engagement portions of the first joint member are in direct contact with at least a portion of one or more second engagement portions of the cage member.

A joint assembly and method of utilizing the same. The joint assembly includes a first joint member drivingly connected to a second joint member by using one or more third joint members. At least a portion of a cage member is interposed between the first and second joint members. When the first joint member is plunged in a first direction, at least a portion of one or more first engagement portions of the first joint member are in direct contact with at least a portion of one or more first engagement portions of the cage member. When the first joint member is plunged in a second direction, opposite the first direction, at least a portion of one or more second engagement portions of the first joint member are in direct contact with at least a portion of one or more second engagement portions of the cage member.

A forging method for a shaft member includes preforming at least one of a plurality of enlarged diameter portions to obtain a semi-finished member, and forming a remainder of the enlarged diameter portions in the semi-finished member using a mold. The mold includes a punch, split dies, and a workpiece receiving member. The forming of the remainder of the enlarged diameter portions includes allowing the semi-finished member having the at least one of the enlarged diameter portions to be placed on the workpiece receiving member, cramping the semi-finished member in its radial direction by closing the split dies, and filling the semi-finished member into forming surfaces of the split dies by the pressure applied by the punch under the state in which the semi-finished member is cramped.

A forging method for a shaft member includes preforming at least one of a plurality of enlarged diameter portions to obtain a semi-finished member, and forming a remainder of the enlarged diameter portions in the semi-finished member using a mold. The mold includes a punch, split dies, and a workpiece receiving member. The forming of the remainder of the enlarged diameter portions includes allowing the semi-finished member having the at least one of the enlarged diameter portions to be placed on the workpiece receiving member, cramping the semi-finished member in its radial direction by closing the split dies, and filling the semi-finished member into forming surfaces of the split dies by the pressure applied by the punch under the state in which the semi-finished member is cramped.

A dust boot (2) for an articulated transmission joint has a tulip (6) presenting an open end (62) and an opposite end designed to be secured to a first shaft (8), a second shaft (10), and rolling bearing means (3) mounted on an end (13) of the second shaft (10). The bearing means (3) has rolling elements (34) housed in a cage (32). The dust boot (2) includes a groove (24) suitable for receiving at least some of the rolling elements during an inclined movement of the second shaft (10) towards an outlet of the tulip, and a shoulder (22) separated from the groove (24) by a peripheral wall (25) that co-operates with the shoulder (22) to define a housing suitable for receiving a portion of the cage (32) of the bearing means (3) when the cage (32) is in abutment against the shoulder (22).

A transaxle according to the present application may include: a transaxle case; an input member supported within the transaxle case; a gear drivingly connected to the input member within the transaxle case; an output member which is supported within the transaxle case and arranged at the inner peripheral side of the gear concentrically with the gear; a cage with a roller as a bidirectional overrunning clutch interposed between the inner periphery of the gear and the outer periphery of the output member within the transaxle case; and a drag mechanism provided within the transaxle case to apply rotational resistance to the cage to make the bidirectional overrunning clutch be engaged. The cage has a first end and a second end, which oppose each other in an axial direction of the output member. The first end of the cage is close to a first bearing which pivotally supports the output member to the transaxle case. The drag mechanism has a rotation member which is locked to the cage at the first end of the cage so as to be relatively non-rotatable, and a spring member for applying the rotational resistance to the rotation member.

A transaxle according to the present application may include: a transaxle case; an input member supported within the transaxle case; a gear drivingly connected to the input member within the transaxle case; an output member which is supported within the transaxle case and arranged at the inner peripheral side of the gear concentrically with the gear; a cage with a roller as a bidirectional overrunning clutch interposed between the inner periphery of the gear and the outer periphery of the output member within the transaxle case; and a drag mechanism provided within the transaxle case to apply rotational resistance to the cage to make the bidirectional overrunning clutch be engaged. The cage has a first end and a second end, which oppose each other in an axial direction of the output member. The first end of the cage is close to a first bearing which pivotally supports the output member to the transaxle case. The drag mechanism has a rotation member which is locked to the cage at the first end of the cage so as to be relatively non-rotatable, and a spring member for applying the rotational resistance to the rotation member.

Provided is a method of manufacturing an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint, which is constructed by forming a cup section having track grooves, and a shaft section, and by welding a cup member and a shaft member, the method including: forming the cup member and the shaft member of medium carbon steel; preparing a cup member having a cylindrical portion and a bottom portion integrally formed by forging, and a joining end surface in a machining step; preparing a shaft member having a joining end surface formed in a machining step; bringing the joining end surface of the cup member and the joining end surface of the shaft member into abutment against each other; welding the cup member and the shaft member by radiating a beam; and performing, after the welding, an ultrasonic flaw detection-inspection step.

Provided is a method of manufacturing an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint, which is constructed by forming a cup section having track grooves, and a shaft section, and by welding a cup member and a shaft member, the method including: forming the cup member and the shaft member of medium carbon steel; preparing a cup member having a cylindrical portion and a bottom portion integrally formed by forging, and a joining end surface in a machining step; preparing a shaft member having a joining end surface formed in a machining step; bringing the joining end surface of the cup member and the joining end surface of the shaft member into abutment against each other; welding the cup member and the shaft member by radiating a beam; and performing, after the welding, an ultrasonic flaw detection-inspection step.