Abstract A driven half of the universal joint has an axially outwardly opening tubular socket end in which an end of a driver half of the joint is slidably received; and a universal torquetransmitting coupling of shaft to socket, also accommodating axial change in position of those parts, is effected through a pair of like cushioned swivel sub-assemblies, each journaled by transverse pin and bushing means to the driver half end. The driven socket presents a specially shaped cavity defined by pairs of flat parallel, radially outwardly extending and laterally spaced wall surfaces on either side of the axis of socket rotation, between each of which surface pairs corresponding flat side surfaces of one of the swiveling and torque-transmitting sub-assemblies are received with a sliding fit. Thus said subassemblies act directly and torsionally on the output socket in transmitting driving power between the shaft members of the installation. Each such sub-assembly includes an annular cushioning washer of plastic presenting, radially outwardly of its flat side surfaces, a quasi-cylindrical convex surface, which arcuate surfaces have swiveling action as engaged with flat, axially extending and radially outer wall surfaces of the driven socket half. Steel sleeves encircle and confine the cushions of the respective sub-assemblies, being convexly arced flush with the outer surfaces of said cushions. Swiveling of the driver shaft and the sub-assemblies in a plane at 90* to the direction of the swivel action just described takes place about the axis of the previously described pin and bushing means on the driver shaft end.
A universal joint comprising a first rotative torquetransmitting member provided with an axially outwardly opening socket, a second rotative torque transmitting member having an end received axially in said socket to act therein about a swivel axis in 90* intersecting relation to the axis of said second member, said socket being internally defined in part on opposite sides of the socket axis by pairs of rigid, transversely spaced and generally flat wall surfaces, and means drivingly connected in said socket to said second torque-transmitting member to operate about said swivel axis in transmitting torque between said members, said means including resilient cushion parts shiftable unitarily and axially with said second member relative to the socket and positively transmitting cushioned torque directly between said parts of socket wall surfaces and said second member in any position of the latter about said swivel axis, said cushion parts each including a cushion element of resiliently compressible material, said element having generally flat side surfaces slidably engaged between the respective pairs of wall surfaces of the socket and acting directly against said wall surfaces in said resiliently cushioned transmission of torque.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A universal joint comprising a first rotative torquetransmitting member provided with an axially outwardly opening socket, a second rotative torque transmitting member having an end received axially in said socket to act therein about a swivel axis in 90* intersecting relation to the axis of said second member, said socket being internally defined in part on opposite sides of the socket axis by pairs of rigid, transversely spaced and generally flat wall surfaces, and means drivingly connected in said socket to said second torque-transmitting member to operate about said swivel axis in transmitting torque between said members, said means including resilient cushion parts shiftable unitarily and axially with said second member relative to the socket and positively transmitting cushioned torque directly between said parts of socket wall surfaces and said second member in any position of the latter about said swivel axis, said cushion parts each including a cushion element of resiliently compressible material, said element having generally flat side surfaces slidably engaged between the respective pairs of wall surfaces of the socket and acting directly against said wall surfaces in said resiliently cushioned transmission of torque.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The universal joint of claim 1, further characterized in the provision of a rigid retainer element externally confining each cushion element, said rigid retainer elements partially encasing said cushion elements whereby to permit said cushion elements to act directly against said wall surfaces.