Patent US4065941A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4065941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal joint
Assignee: KOTO SANGYO KK
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Filing: 1975-05-16
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Granted: 1978-01-03
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Expires: 1995-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A universal joint adapted for use in high impact wrenches is disclosed. The universal joint comprises a tubular housing having a first end and a second end. A first ball joint having an input shaft with a ball member disposed at one end thereof and an attaching head disposed at the other end thereof is coupled to the tubular housing adjacent the first end thereof. A second ball joint having an output shaft with a ball member disposed at one end thereof and a socket head disposed at the other end thereof is coupled to the tubular housing adjacent the second end thereof. An external spring is disposed about the output shaft and journaled between the socket head and the second end of the housing. The external spring is arranged and configured on the universal joint so as to increase the flexibility of the second ball joint and to cause the second ball joint to return to axial alignment with the tubular housing after each use. Finally, an internal spring may also be disposed in the tubular housing journaled between the ball member of the first ball joint and the ball member of the second ball joint. The internal spring is positioned in the tubular housing so as to increase the axial flexibility of universal joint. By the use of the universal joint of the present invention, an especially flexible universal joint having desirable characteristics for assembly line methods is achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Sadashiro Aoki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:48
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/20; F16D3/202; F16D3/207
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A universal joint adapted for use in in impact wrenches comprising: a. Tubular housing having first and second ends; b. A first ball joint having an imput shaft with the ball member disposed at one end thereof and an attaching head disposed at the other end thereof, said ball member of said first ball joint coupled to said tubular housing adjacent said first end thereof; c. A second ball joint having an output shaft with a ball member disposed at one end thereof and a socket head disposed at the other end thereof, siad ball member of said second ball joint coupled to said tubular housing adjacent said second end thereof; d. An external spring means disposed about said output shaft and journaled between said socket head and said second end of said housing, said external spring means for increasing the flexibility of said second ball joint; e. On internal spring means within said tubular housing and journaled between said first and second ball members thereby increasing the longitudinal flexibility of said universal joint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A universal joint adapted for use in in impact wrenches comprising: a. Tubular housing having first and second ends; b. A first ball joint having an imput shaft with the ball member disposed at one end thereof and an attaching head disposed at the other end thereof, said ball member of said first ball joint coupled to said tubular housing adjacent said first end thereof; c. A second ball joint having an output shaft with a ball member disposed at one end thereof and a socket head disposed at the other end thereof, siad ball member of said second ball joint coupled to said tubular housing adjacent said second end thereof; d. An external spring means disposed about said output shaft and journaled between said socket head and said second end of said housing, said external spring means for increasing the flexibility of said second ball joint; e. On internal spring means within said tubular housing and journaled between said first and second ball members thereby increasing the longitudinal flexibility of said universal joint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The universal joint according to claim 1 wherein said first and second ball joints are rotatably coupled to said tubular housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
207 words
A universal joint adapted to be secured to an impact wrench comprising: a tubular housing having first and second ends; a first ball joint having an input shaft with a ball member disposed at one end thereof and an attaching head disposed at the other end thereof, said ball member of said first ball joint coupled to said tubular housing adjacent said first end thereof; a second ball joint having an output shaft with a ball member disposed at one end thereof and a socket head disposed at the other end thereof, said ball member of said second ball joint coupled to said tubular housing adjacent said second end thereof; an internal spring means disposed in said tubular housing journalled between said ball member of said first ball joint and said ball member of said second ball joint, said internal spring means for increasing the longitudinal flexibility of said first and second ball joints; an external spring means disposed about said output shaft and journalled between said socket head and said second end of said housing, said external spring means for increasing the flexibility of said second ball joint member; and a pin means for rotatably coupling said first and second ball joints to said tubular housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
207 words
A universal joint adapted to be secured to an impact wrench comprising: a tubular housing having first and second ends; a first ball joint having an input shaft with a ball member disposed at one end thereof and an attaching head disposed at the other end thereof, said ball member of said first ball joint coupled to said tubular housing adjacent said first end thereof; a second ball joint having an output shaft with a ball member disposed at one end thereof and a socket head disposed at the other end thereof, said ball member of said second ball joint coupled to said tubular housing adjacent said second end thereof; an internal spring means disposed in said tubular housing journalled between said ball member of said first ball joint and said ball member of said second ball joint, said internal spring means for increasing the longitudinal flexibility of said first and second ball joints; an external spring means disposed about said output shaft and journalled between said socket head and said second end of said housing, said external spring means for increasing the flexibility of said second ball joint member; and a pin means for rotatably coupling said first and second ball joints to said tubular housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The universal joint according to claim 3 wherein said tubular housing has a ledge member adjacent said second end thereof and said external spring abutting against said ledge member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The universal joint according to claim 3 wherein said socket head has a collar member circumferentially disposed thereabout, said collar member forming an outward extending ledge, said external spring member abutting adjacent said ledge formed by said collar member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The universal joint according to claim 3 wherein said pin means are disposed generally perpendicular with respect to each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
A universal joint adapted for use in impact wrenches comprising: a tubular housing having first and second ends; an input shaft having an attaching head at one end and a first ball member at the other end, said ball member being inserted within said first end of said tubular housing and coupled to said tubular housing adjacent said first end; an output shaft having a socket head at one end and a second ball member at the other end, said ball member being inserted into said second end of said tubular housing and coupled to said tubular housing adjacent said second end;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
A universal joint adapted for use in impact wrenches comprising: a tubular housing having first and second ends; an input shaft having an attaching head at one end and a first ball member at the other end, said ball member being inserted within said first end of said tubular housing and coupled to said tubular housing adjacent said first end; an output shaft having a socket head at one end and a second ball member at the other end, said ball member being inserted into said second end of said tubular housing and coupled to said tubular housing adjacent said second end;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
an internal spring means within said tubular housing and journaled between said first and second ball members thereby increasing the longitudinal flexibility of said universal joint; and an external spring means about said output shaft and journaled between said socket head and said second end of said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
an internal spring means within said tubular housing and journaled between said first and second ball members thereby increasing the longitudinal flexibility of said universal joint; and an external spring means about said output shaft and journaled between said socket head and said second end of said housing.
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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) | 1981-01-02 | 1981-07-04 | 1982-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-02 | 1985-07-04 | 1986-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-02 | 1989-07-04 | 1990-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |