Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A sliding joint comprising a shank member, a sleeve member, means for receiving balls along the exterior of the shank member and the interior of the sleeve member, balls of the same diameter interposed therebetween and both interconnecting said shank member and said sleeve member in rotational driving relation and maintaining axial alignment therebetween, the means in one of said members comprising grooves of substantially semi-circular cross-section extending parallel to the axis of said one member and regularly spaced thereabout, the means in the other of said members comprising two axially spaced and fixed groups of sockets regularly angularly spaced parallel to the grooves of said one member, said sockets having substantially semi-circular cross sections with substantially spherical ends and a length equal to at least twice the diameter of said balls, the total length of a pair of said axially aligned sockets being at a maximum equal to the length of a corresponding one of said grooves, and said balls being received in said grooves and sockets for rolling movement substantially without clearance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A sliding joint comprising a shank member, a sleeve member, means for receiving balls along the exterior of the shank member and the interior of the sleeve member, balls of the same diameter interposed therebetween and both interconnecting said shank member and said sleeve member in rotational driving relation and maintaining axial alignment therebetween, the means in one of said members comprising grooves of substantially semi-circular cross-section extending parallel to the axis of said one member and regularly spaced thereabout, the means in the other of said members comprising two axially spaced and fixed groups of sockets regularly angularly spaced parallel to the grooves of said one member, said sockets having substantially semi-circular cross sections with substantially spherical ends and a length equal to at least twice the diameter of said balls, the total length of a pair of said axially aligned sockets being at a maximum equal to the length of a corresponding one of said grooves, and said balls being received in said grooves and sockets for rolling movement substantially without clearance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one member is said shank member and said other member is said sleeve member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A joint as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sockets are partially defined by grooves formed in the sleeve member and partially by stop members forming the substantially spherical ends of the sockets, said stop members being formed of a material having a low coefficient of sliding friction fitted in the sleeve member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one member is said sleeve member and said other member is said shank member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one member is said sleeve member and said other member is said shank member, and said shank member is integrally formed between said axially spaced groups of sockets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one member is said shank member and said other member is said sleeve member, and said sleeve member is integrally formed between said axially spaced groups of sockets.