Constant velocity universal joints

Claim 2

In a constant velocity universal joint of the kind which includes inner and outer members formed with grooves which cooperate to form tracks which are angularly distributed around the joint axis and which are engaged by torque-transmitting balls which move along the grooves during relative movement between the inner and outer members, with a cage located between the inner and outer members and serving to guide the balls into the bisector plane of the joint, the improvement comprising restraining means acting between the outer member and the cage and formed separate from said outer member and said cage, said restraining means assisting in preventing relative axial movement between the cage and outer member in at least one direction.

Claim 3

A constant velocity universal joint according to claim 1 wherein movement of the cage relative to the outer member in a first direction is prevented by said restraining means and wherein the outer member includes a bore portion of part-spherical form which engages the outer surface of the cage to prevent movement of the cage relative to the outer member in a direction opposite to said first direction.

Claim 4

A constant velocity universal joint according to claim 1 wherein the outer member is formed with an internal shoulder, the restraining means is of annular form and resilient means are provided urging the annular restraining means into engagement with said internal shoulder.

Claim 5

A constant velocity universal joint according to claim 3 which includes a flexible gaiter secured to the outer member and wherein said resilient means is constituted by a portion of said gaiter.

Claim 6

In a constant velocity universal joint having a hollow outer member with a bore which for at least part of its length is of cylindrical form, said bore being formed with longitudinally extending grooves, an inner member having a part-spherical outer surface formed with grooves which co-operate with the grooves in the outer member to provide ball tracks, torque-transmitting balls which engage and move along the grooves during joint articulation, and a ball cage with apertures in which the balls are housed, the cage acting to maintain the balls in the bisector plane of the joint and having part-spherical inner and outer surfaces which respectively engage the part-spherical surface of the inner member and the cylindrical bore of the outer member and which have centers of curvature off-set by an equal amount on opposite sides of the joint center along the joint axis, the improvement comprising restraining means acting between and formed separate from the cage and the outer member, said restraining means being arranged to prevent relative axial movement between the outer member and the cage and thus between the outer member and the inner member in at least one direction.

Claim 7

In a constant velocity universal joint having a hollow outer member with a bore which for at least part of its length is of cylindrical form, said bore being formed with longitudinally extending grooves, an inner member having a part-spherical outer surface formed with grooves which co-operate with the grooves in the outer member to provide ball tracks, torque-transmitting balls which engage and move along the grooves during joint articulation, and a ball cage with apertures in which the balls are housed, the cage acting to maintain the balls in the bisector plane of the joint and having part-spherical inner and outer surfaces which respectively engage the part-spherical surface of the inner member and the cylindrical bore of the outer member and which have centers of curvature off-set by an equal amount on opposite sides of the joint center along the joint axis, the improvement comprising restraining means acting between and formed separate from the cage and the outer member, said restraining means being arranged to prevent relative axial movement between the outer member and the cage and thus between the outer member and the inner member in at least one direction.

Claim 8

A constant velocity universal joint according to claim 5 wherein the restraining means acts to prevent movement of the cage relative to the outer member in a first direction and in which the outer member includes a bore portion of part-spherical form which engages the outer surface of the cage to prevent movement of the cage in a direction opposite to said first direction relative to the outer member.

Claim 9

A constant velocity universal joint according to claim 5 wherein the outer member is formed with an internal shoulder and resilient means are provided urging the restraining means into engagement with said internal shoulder.

Claim 10

A constant velocity universal joint according to claim 7 in which the outer portion of a flexible gaiter is secured to the outer member of the joint and said outer portion of the gaiter constitutes said resilient means urging the restraining means into engagement with said shoulder.