Slidable-type constant velocity universal joint

Claim 1

A slidable constant velocity universal joint comprising inner and outer members having free ends which are interengaged, said outer member having three axially extending grooves disposed parallel to one another, said inner member including three radially projecting pods, a roller slidably received on each pod for movement axially thereof and rollably engaged in a respective groove for transmitting rotatable drive between said members, said members having an axially aligned position and being relatively movable to provide relatively inclined positions of said members, and means supporting each roller on its associated pod for axial slidable movement, for universal pivotal movement and for rotation thereon so that when the inner and outer members are inclined with respect to one another the rollers are tilted and axially moved with respect to their respective pods and remain axially aligned in said grooves, said means including a universal pivoting mounting slidably mounted on each said pod and a roller bearing interposed between said roller and said universal pivotal mounting, each said roller and its associated groove having contact surfaces of conforming shape, said pod having an outer cylindrical surface, said roller having an inner cylindrical surface, said roller bearing being engaged with the cylindrical surface of the roller, said universal pivotal mounting comprising inner and outer guide rings, said inner guide ring being engaged with the cylindrical surface of the respective pod, said outer guide ring being engaged with said roller bearing, said guide rings having contact surfaces engaged with one another of spherical shape.