Homokinetic universal joint assembly

Claim 1

A homokinetic universal joint assembly comprising: an inner joint member; an outer joint member having an outer peripheral portion; torque transmission means interposed between said inner and outer joint members to effect torque transmission therebetween; means supporting said torque transmission means in operative engagement between said inner and outer joint members; a tubular drive sleeve locked in engagement about said outer peripheral portion of said outer said joint member; a sealing boot affixed in sealing engagement between said inner and outer joint members, said sealing boot including a thickened portion at one end thereof; axial grooves formed in said outer peripheral portion of said outer joint member and extending generally axially of said joint assembly; at least one annular groove formed in said outer peripheral portion of said outer joint member extending circumferentially thereof transversely of said axial grooves; said tubular drive sleeve being shaped to conform with the configuration of said axial grooves and said at least one annular groove to lock said tubular drive sleeve in fixed engagement relative to said outer joint members; said axial grooves being uniformly distributed over said outer peripheral portion, said at least one angular groove having a depth which is greater than the depth of said axial grooves and being arranged at approximately the mid-point of said outer peripheral portion of said outer joint member over which said axial grooves extend; and an annular recess formed in said outer peripheral portion of said outer joint member receiving therein said thickened portion of said sealing boot, said tubular drive sleeve being formed to extend over said annular recess to fixedly mount said sealing boot on said joint assembly.