US3740969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal joints
Assignee: JH Fenner and Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1971-05-07
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-05-07
Abstract
Abstract The drawing discloses a universal joint comprising two forks each providing two spaced arms, a centre block having four locating members projecting therefrom in the form of a cross, the two arms of one fork having bores containing bearings in which one pair of the locating members are rotatably mounted and the two arms of the other fork having bores containing bearings in which the other locating members are rotatably mounted, each locating member having a recess on its outer end for holding a supply of lubricant and there being a cap fitted over and spaced from the outer end of each locating member to direct lubricant from the recess to the bearing in which the locating member is mounted.
Inventors
- 👤 B Shotter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/26; F16D3/38; F16D3/40; F16D3/41
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A universal joint comprising two forks each providing two spaced arms, each pair of arms having aligned bores, bearing located in the bores, a center block having four locating members projecting therefrom in the form of a cross and four flat bearing surfaces around the locating members respectively, each pair of aligned locating members being rotatably mounted in the bearings in a respective pair of said aligned bores and each locating member having a blind recess provided in its outer end for holding a supply of lubricant, a cap fitted over each locating member, the cap having an end wall located opposite an outer end of the respective locating member, a passage being provided between the end wall and said outer end of the locating member to permit lubricant to pass from said recess to the bearing, the cap further having an upstanding annular wall which projects through the bore of the corresponding fork arm and engages the center block, the bearing associated with that fork arm being located in the inner surface of the annular wall, and an annular thrust washer located between and in engagement with each bearing surface and the inner surface of the adjacent fork arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A universal joint comprising two forks each providing two spaced arms, each pair of arms having aligned bores, bearing located in the bores, a center block having four locating members projecting therefrom in the form of a cross and four flat bearing surfaces around the locating members respectively, each pair of aligned locating members being rotatably mounted in the bearings in a respective pair of said aligned bores and each locating member having a blind recess provided in its outer end for holding a supply of lubricant, a cap fitted over each locating member, the cap having an end wall located opposite an outer end of the respective locating member, a passage being provided between the end wall and said outer end of the locating member to permit lubricant to pass from said recess to the bearing, the cap further having an upstanding annular wall which projects through the bore of the corresponding fork arm and engages the center block, the bearing associated with that fork arm being located in the inner surface of the annular wall, and an annular thrust washer located between and in engagement with each bearing surface and the inner surface of the adjacent fork arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein the thrust washer is bowed in cross-section and the outer edge of the washer bears resiliently against said flat surface of the center block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein each locating member is mounted in a hole in the center block, in which hole said member is a force fit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein each locating member is mounted in a hole in the center block and is retained in the hole by a pin, screw, or like fixing member passing into the center block and into the locating member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein the two locating members about which the two arms of one fork pivot respectively are provided by opposite end portions of a cylindrical spindle which passes through the center block and projects at each side of the block, and each of the two locating members about which the two arms of the other fork pivot is provided by end portions of two cylindrical spigots of the same diameter as the spindle which spigots pass into the center block and engage in a circumferential recess in said spindle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 5 wherein the spigots are a force fit in the center block.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 5 wherein the spigots are retained in the center block by pins, screws or like fixing members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bearings between the locating members and the bores in the fork arms are needle roller bearings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 8 the inner surface of the annular wall of the cap provides the outer raceway of the needle roller bearings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein each cap protrudes radially outside the outer periphery of its associated fork arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said two forks is constructed by providing a cross slot in one end of a shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein the center block is substantially cubic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |