US3928985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Constant velocity torque transmitting universal joint
Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
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Filing: 1974-05-13
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1994-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A universal joint comprises a tubular outer joint member having a plurality of grooves therein and a concave spherical surface within which is moveably mounted a cage having a plurality of openings in which balls are positioned. The inner surface of the cage is provided with a concave spherical opening within which is moveably mounted an inner joint member having circumferentially spaced grooves there around. Each ball is located in opposed grooves of the inner and outer joint members and the balls are disposed in a plane passing through the axes of the outer and inner joint members. Because of play in the joint brought about by manufacturing tolerances the balls are subjected to a force which displaces the balls from the homokinetic plane. Means are therefore provided on a member of the joint which either coacts with the balls or another member of the joint to increase the angle between the plane passing through the balls and the axis of the inner joint member to control the alignment direction of the balls.
Inventors
- 👤 Sobhy Labib Girguis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:50
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/20; F16D3/22; F16D3/223; F16D3/226; F16D3/2265; F16D3/227; F16D2003/22303; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S464/00; Y10S464/904; Y10S464/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A constant velocity torque transmitting universal joint comprising an outer joint member having a bore therethrough and a plurality of grooves in the surface of said bore, an inner joint member within said bore and having a plurality of grooves in the outer surface thereof opposing said outer joint grooves, a ball in each pair of opposed inner and outer joint member grooves, the balls being disposed in a plane passing through the axes of the outer and inner joint members, the balls being subjected to a force due to play in the joints to displace the balls from the homokinetic plane, and means on the universal joint for increasing the angle between the plane passing through the balls and the axis of the inner joint member to control the alignment direction of the balls with respect to the homokinetic plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A constant velocity torque transmitting universal joint comprising an outer joint member having a bore therethrough and a plurality of grooves in the surface of said bore, an inner joint member within said bore and having a plurality of grooves in the outer surface thereof opposing said outer joint grooves, a ball in each pair of opposed inner and outer joint member grooves, the balls being disposed in a plane passing through the axes of the outer and inner joint members, the balls being subjected to a force due to play in the joints to displace the balls from the homokinetic plane, and means on the universal joint for increasing the angle between the plane passing through the balls and the axis of the inner joint member to control the alignment direction of the balls with respect to the homokinetic plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A constant velocity torque transmitting universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means is on an element of said joint and coacts with said balls to bias the ball plane in a direction to increase the angle between the ball plane and the axis of said inner joint member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
A constant velocity torque transmitting universal joint as claimed in claim 1 and comprising ball retaining means comprising a cage having an outer convex spherical surface moveably received in a corresponding surface on the bore of the outer joint member and an inner concave spherical surface moveably mounted upon a corresponding surface in said inner joint member, the centers of the cage convex and concave spherical surfaces being on opposite sides of said ball plane, the distance of the center of said cage concave surface from the ball plane being greater than the distance of the center of said convex surface from the ball plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A constant velocity torque transmitting universal joint as claimed in claim 1 wherein the grooves on said outer and inner joint members are at an angle to the respective longitudinal axes thereof and opposed grooves intersect each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A constant velocity torque transmitting universal joint as claimed in claim 4 wherein the grooves of the outer joint member are at a larger angle to the longitudinal axis thereof than the grooves on the inner joint member are to its longitudinal axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
A constant velocity torque transmitting universal joint as claimed in claim 1 and comprising ball retaining means comprising a cage having an outer convex spherical surface moveably received in a corresponding surface on the bore of the outer joint member and an inner concave spherical surface moveably mounted upon a corresponding surface on said inner joint member, the centers of the cage convex and concave spherical surfaces being on opposite sides of said ball plane, there being a plurality of openings in said cage in which said balls are positioned, the walls of the openings nearest the inner concave spherical surface of the cage are inclined toward the ball plane in a direction outwardly of the cage and the opposed walls of the openings are parallel to their respective inclined walls.
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) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |