US3881324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal joint
Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
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Filing: 1973-05-22
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A universal joint comprises a cross member which interconnects the yoke arms of two yokes and has a plurality of pins in a cruciform arrangement with bearing housings containing bearing elements mounted on the pins. The bearing elements are received and axially positioned in bores of the yoke arms. The bearing housings are tubular and have their lower ends supported on the surface adjacent the respective pins. These surfaces are spherical, partially spherical or may be conical to provide a transition from the pins to the body portion of the cross member.
Inventors
- 👤 Sobhy Labib Girquis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:40
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/26; F16D3/38; F16D3/40; F16D3/41
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A universal joint comprising a cross member having a body portion and pins thereon in a cruciform arrangement, said body portion having a beveled surface forming a valve seat surface adjacent each of said pins, a bearing housing on each of said pins and bearing element means within the housings, said bearing housings each comprising a tubular member having an end portion of spherical configuration supported and adapted to smoothly fit on said beveled surface of said cross member body portion, a pair of yokes each having a pair of yoke arms, each yoke arm having a bore therethrough to receive a bearing housing therein, and means in each said yoke arm bore for positioning axially a said bearing housing therein to connect pivotally said yokes to said cross member pins.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A universal joint comprising a cross member having a body portion and pins thereon in a cruciform arrangement, said body portion having a beveled surface forming a valve seat surface adjacent each of said pins, a bearing housing on each of said pins and bearing element means within the housings, said bearing housings each comprising a tubular member having an end portion of spherical configuration supported and adapted to smoothly fit on said beveled surface of said cross member body portion, a pair of yokes each having a pair of yoke arms, each yoke arm having a bore therethrough to receive a bearing housing therein, and means in each said yoke arm bore for positioning axially a said bearing housing therein to connect pivotally said yokes to said cross member pins.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bearing housing is formed of drawn sheet metal and has the other end thereof closed, said closed end being spaced from the outer end of the respective pin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 and a plug of synthetic plastic material closing the other end of said bearing housing away from said body portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 and a plug closing the end of said yoke arm bore away from said cross member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rim of the supported end of said bearing housing has a shape to conform to the surface adjacent the pin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein said body portion has a conical surface defining a transition region between said body portion and a pin thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein the supported end of said tubular member is bent outwardly such that said end engages the inner surface of the respective yoke arm and a curved portion of said bent end rests upon the surface adjacent the pin, the other end of said tubular member is bent inwardly to position axially said bearing element means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein the supported end of said tubular member is bent inwardly and then outwardly substantially parallel to the surface adjacent the pin, the other end of said tubular member is bent inwardly to position axially said bearing element means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein said body portion is annular in shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 9 and comprising means on said annular body portion closing the central opening therein to define a reservoir for a lubricant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two axial bores extending through said body portion and opposed pins to intersect at substantially the center of the body portion, there being a third bore in said body porTion extending from said intersection perpendicularly to said two bores and adapted to receive a lubricant fitting at its outer end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 and comprising sealing rings on the bearing housings and body portion surfaces adjacent each of said pins.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint as claimed in claim 12 wherein said sealing rings for all of the cross member pins are fastened together to define a single unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |