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US3857256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multiple universal joint
Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
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Filing: 1973-02-08
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1993-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A universal joint consists of a plurality of constant velocity universal joints each having an outer joint element and an inner joint element with mutually opposed axially extending grooves in said elements. Balls are disposed in the grooves to transmit a torque between the joint elements and a cage is between the inner and outer joint elements of a universal joint to retain and guide the balls therebetween. Either the inner or outer joint elements of the constant velocity universal joints are connected to each other. Control means are provided for guiding the cages of two adjacent universal joints with respect to each other in such a manner that upon bending of the universal joint the axes of the cages will be bent at angles having a predetermined relationship to each other. The axes angles are subdivisions of the angle through which the universal joint is bent and may be equal to each other.
Inventors
- 👤 S Girguis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:33
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/20; F16D3/22; F16D3/223; F16D3/226; F16D2003/22303; F16D2003/2232; F16D2003/22323; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S464/00; Y10S464/904; Y10S464/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
In a universal joint, the combination of a plurality of constant velocity universal joints, each constant velocity universal joint comprising an outer joint element and an inner joint element having mutually opposed axially extending grooves, balls iN said mutually opposed grooves to transmit torque between the joint elements, a cage between the inner and outer joint elements of each constant velocity universal joint to retain said balls therebetween, one of the corresponding joint elements of the constant velocity universal joints connected to each other, control means for guiding the cages and balls of two adjacent constant velocity universal joints to maintain constant velocity transmission, each of said cages having an axial extension on the end thereof facing the other cage, and means for guiding the mutually facing axial extensions opposite each other such that upon bending of the universal joint the said constant velocity universal joints are bent at angles which are less than the total bending angle and having a predetermined relationship to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a universal joint, the combination of a plurality of constant velocity universal joints, each constant velocity universal joint comprising an outer joint element and an inner joint element having mutually opposed axially extending grooves, balls iN said mutually opposed grooves to transmit torque between the joint elements, a cage between the inner and outer joint elements of each constant velocity universal joint to retain said balls therebetween, one of the corresponding joint elements of the constant velocity universal joints connected to each other, control means for guiding the cages and balls of two adjacent constant velocity universal joints to maintain constant velocity transmission, each of said cages having an axial extension on the end thereof facing the other cage, and means for guiding the mutually facing axial extensions opposite each other such that upon bending of the universal joint the said constant velocity universal joints are bent at angles which are less than the total bending angle and having a predetermined relationship to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein, one of said extensions having a guide surface thereon upon which one end of the other extension is guided.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 2 wherein said guide surface is a concave spherical or concave cylindrical surface and said one end of said other extension has a convex spherical or convex curves surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 2 wherein said universal joint comprises more than two constant velocity universal joints, each cage of said joints has axial extensions on both ends thereof, one of said end extensions of a cage having an inner concave or spherical surface and the other of said end extensions having an outer spherical or curved surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 2 wherein the guide surface of one extension comprises a cylindrical surface, an annular member on said cylindrical surface and having an outer spherical surface, the guide surface of the other extension comprising a concave spherical surface guided upon said annular member outer spherical surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 5 and comprising means between said annular member and said cylindrical guide surface for retaining said annular member against axial displacement on said cylindrical guide surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said cages has a pin extending coaxially therefrom, said pin having a curved or spherical outer surface, the other of said cages having a coaxial bore therein receiving the curved outer surface of said pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein adjacent cages have mutually opposed surfaces and meshing annular teeth on said opposed surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 1 and comprising spring means for supporting said cages with respect to one of their respective joint elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a flexural member axially extending from the inner or outer joint element of each of said constant velocity universal joints and having an outer end, each cage of said constant velocity universal joints having a coaxial bore therein receiving the outer end of the respective flexural member so as to guide the constant velocity universal joints such that upon bending of the universal joint the constant velocity universal joints are each bent at angles which are less than the total bending angle and have a predetermined relationship to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer joint elements are tubular and each has an inner curved or spherical guide surface therein, said cages each having an outer spherical surface guided upon said outer joint element guide surfaces respectively, each of said cages having an inner spherical guide surface therein, a control element on each of said inner joint elements and each outer element having an outer spherical guide surface contacting said cage inner guide surfaces respectively, the centers of the outer spherical surfaces and inner spherical surfaces of a cage being equidistant on both sides of a plane passing through the centers of the baLls retained by that cage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 11 wherein a substantial portion of the radial depth of the grooves in an inner joint element is disposed radially within its respective control element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said cages has a coaxial tooth having an involute profile extending therefrom, the other of said cages having a coaxial bore therein with a profile corresponding to that of said tooth so that said tooth rolls upon the profile surface of said bore upon bending of the universal joint.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a universal joint as claimed in claim 9 wherein each of said spring means has the same spring characteristics.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |