Universal type spindle coupling

Claim 2

In a synchronous universal-type rotatable spindle coupling embodying a pair of axially elongated articulated joint spindle components each having an axis and a joint coupling head 1,2 provided with a plurality of axially extending angularly spaced complementally interfitting arms 3, 4, said arms being universally coupled together in substantially a clearance-free manner by means of bearing inserts 5 interengaging respectively spaced apart radially juxtaposed surfaces of said interfitting arms, the improvement wherein: at least one of said spindle components is mounted with at least part of its axial length and head free to move transversely of its axis and axial rotation when in operative use.

Claim 3

A universal-type coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein said spindle components are non-axially aligned and at least part of both of said joint spindle components and their respective heads are mounted with substantially no backlash clearance aNd so as to be able to move transversely of their axes.

Claim 4

A universal-type coupling as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling heads each include a plurality of three of said arms; and three sets of complementally paired generally hemispherical-type bearing inserts are utilized therewith as stated.

Claim 5

A universal-type coupling as defined in claim 3, wherein: said bearing inserts have flat surface portions opposite convex portions thereof; said arms of one of said heads each having parallel opposed torque-receiving sides which constitute part of said radially juxtaposed surfaces and which are engageable by said flat-surfaced portions of the bearing inserts; the arms of the other of said heads collectively having other faces in opposed relation to constitute other of said radially juxtaposed surfaces, between which said parallel opposed surfaces of said first-mentioned head arms are interfitted, said opposed other faces of the other head arms having complementally spherical recesses to respectively receive the hemispherical portions of said bearing inserts; and said spherical recesses and said hemispherical bearing inserts being of a large size to extend substantially fully between radially innermost and outermost extremeties or circumferences of said universally coupled arms.

Claim 6

A universal-type coupling as defined in claim 4, wherein said first-mentioned three arms with parallel opposed sides each have a centerpoint equidistantly spaced around the longitudinal axis of this head such that said center points can be regarded as vertexes of essentially an equilateral triangular area, and which area is intersected by said axis, and wherein planes passing tangentially to a common one of said parallel sides of each of said same three arms, collectively form essentially an equilateral triangular prism centrally enclosing said longitudinal axis.

Claim 7

A universal-type coupling as defined in claim 1, further including spherical headed link means inter-connecting substantially axially opposed central portions of said respective coupling heads to limit potential axial separation thereof.

Claim 8

A universal-type coupling as defined in claim 5, further including spherical headed link means inter-connecting substantially axially opposed central portions of said respective coupling heads to limit potential axial separation thereof.