US4548591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Double universal joint with an elastically yieldable torque transmitting element
Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Vendome SAS
•
Filing: 1983-04-27
•
Granted: 1985-10-22
•
Expires: 2003-04-27
Abstract
Abstract The double universal joint comprises two end yokes (1,2) each of which is connected by a spider element to an intermediate connecting device comprising an outer part (14) and an inner part (15) which are interconnected by an elastically yieldable element (16) interposed between the outer part and the inner part. Each of the outer and inner parts (14,15) is made from a curled and welded sheet metal blank or from a tube and includes a corresponding yoke (19,20) for connection of the part with a corresponding spider element (8,7) associated with an end yoke (1,2) of the joint.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Haldric
- 👤 Sylvie Baudon nee Chardon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/26; F16D3/30; F16D3/32; F16D3/33; F16D3/38; F16D3/382; F16D3/387; F16D3/50; F16D3/76; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/10; F16D2300/00; F16D2300/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A double universal joint comprising two end yokes, an intermediate connecting means comprising an outer member and an inner member and an elastically yieldable element interposed between said interconnecting the outer member and the inner member, each of said outer and inner members having a metal sheet-like wall and including, in one piece with the each member, a corresponding yoke, two spider elements pivotally connecting the corresponding yokes of the outer member and inner member to the two end yokes respectively, means for providing a rotational abutment of the inner member relative to the outer member and comprising at least one axial extension provided on said inner member and adapted to abut against a branch of the yoke of said outer member when the torque transmitted by the elastically yieldable element exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A double universal joint comprising two end yokes, an intermediate connecting means comprising an outer member and an inner member and an elastically yieldable element interposed between said interconnecting the outer member and the inner member, each of said outer and inner members having a metal sheet-like wall and including, in one piece with the each member, a corresponding yoke, two spider elements pivotally connecting the corresponding yokes of the outer member and inner member to the two end yokes respectively, means for providing a rotational abutment of the inner member relative to the outer member and comprising at least one axial extension provided on said inner member and adapted to abut against a branch of the yoke of said outer member when the torque transmitted by the elastically yieldable element exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A double universal joint according to claim 1, wherein said outer member and inner member are of generally cylindrical shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A double universal joint according to claim 2, wherein said outer member and inner member have a circular cross-sectional shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A double universal joint according to claim 1, wherein said outer member and inner member have a non-circular cross-sectional shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A double universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the elastically yieldable element interposed between the outer member and inner member of the intermediate connecting means is constituted by an elastomer sleeve fixed to said members of said intermediate connecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A double universal joint according to claim 5, wherein said elastically yieldable element is bonded to the outer and inner members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A double universal joint according to claim 5, wherein said elastically yieldable element is gripped between said outer member and inner member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A double universal joint according to claim 5, wherein said elastically yieldable element is vulcanized to the outer and inner members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A double universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the elastically yieldable connecting element between the outer member and inner member of the intermediate connecting means is constituted by an elastomer sleeve which is fixed to one of said members and is an interference fit with the other of said members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A double universal joint according to claim 1, comprising axial abutment means for preventing relative axial displacements of said inner member and outer member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A double universal joint according to claim 10, wherein the axial abutment means comprises an annular member mounted on an end of said outer member of the connecting means remote from the yoke corresponding to said outer member, which annular member is in confronting relation to an adjacent end of said inner member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A double universal joint according to claim 10, wherein said axial abutment means comprise shoulders on branches of the yoke of said outer member which shoulders are in confronting relation to an adjacent end of said inner member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A double universal joint according to claim 1, wherein each of said outer and inner members is formed from a sheet metal blank which has been curled and welded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A double universal joint according to claim 1, wherein each of said outer and inner members is formed from a tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
141 words
A double universal joint comprising two end yokes, an intermediate connecting means comprising an outer member and an inner member and an elastically yieldable element interposed between and interconnecting the outer member and the inner member, each of said outer and inner members having a metal sheet-like wall and including, in one piece with the each member, a corresponding yoke, two spider elements pivotally connecting the corresponding yokes of the outer member and inner member to the two end yokes respectively, and at least one support means which resists complementary torque forces and comprises a rigid annular member disposed between said outer member and said inner member of the intermediate connecting means and fixed to at least one end of the elastically yieldable element with a slight clearance between said rigid annular member and one of said inner and outer members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
141 words
A double universal joint comprising two end yokes, an intermediate connecting means comprising an outer member and an inner member and an elastically yieldable element interposed between and interconnecting the outer member and the inner member, each of said outer and inner members having a metal sheet-like wall and including, in one piece with the each member, a corresponding yoke, two spider elements pivotally connecting the corresponding yokes of the outer member and inner member to the two end yokes respectively, and at least one support means which resists complementary torque forces and comprises a rigid annular member disposed between said outer member and said inner member of the intermediate connecting means and fixed to at least one end of the elastically yieldable element with a slight clearance between said rigid annular member and one of said inner and outer members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
A double universal joint according to claim 15, wherein in respect of an intermediate connecting means having a non-circular cross-sectional shape, said rigid annular member forming a support means has recesses allowing a limited angular displacement of said inner member relative to said outer member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB189711308A
Cited
US1548629A
Cited
US1906057A
Cited
FR816502A
Cited
GB459105A
Cited
US2691283A
Cited
US2949021A
Cited
GB862693A
Cited
FR1215423A
Cited
US2948129A
Cited
US3137148A
Cited
US3263451A
Cited
FR1561619A
Cited
FR2212871A6
Cited
US4075871A
Cited
FR2402803A1
Cited
GB2053417A
Cited
GB2057632A
Cited
GB2070737A
Cited
FR2482223A1
Cited
US4430065A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-21 | 1989-04-22 | 1989-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-21 | 1993-04-22 | 1993-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-21 | 1997-04-22 | 1997-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |