Telescoping torque transmitting shaft

Claim 1

A telescoping torque transmitting shaft particularly for agricultural machinery and the like comprising an inner shaft element having a polygonal cross-section to define a plurality of outer surfaces, an outer tubular shaft element having a plurality of longitudinal extending grooves in the inner face thereof, at least one axially disposed row of torque transmitting balls between said grooves and said surfaces of said inner shaft element, said balls capable of rolling movement between said shaft elements, abutment means comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced annular members on the inner surface of said outer shaft element and having openings therein to receive slidably said inner shaft element, means between said annular members for retaining and guiding said balls, said retaining means comprising a tubular element having a cross-section conforming to the cross-section of said inner shaft element and having a plurality of axially extending slots therein to receive rows of balls, and spring means comprising compression springs at both ends of said tubular retaining member and acting upon said annular members to bias said retaining means to a predetermined position with respect to one of said shaft elements, said inner shaft element being slidable upon its outer surfaces within said balls.