Roller bearing assemblies for a homokinetic universal joint

Claim 1

A homokinetic universal joint comprising: a tripod member having three trunnions projecting radially and equally angularly spaced around its axis; an outer member formed in its inner surface with three track grooves extending axially and equally angularly spaced around its axis; said tripod member being disposed in said outer member with said trunnions received in said respective track grooves in said outer member; a plurality of bearing assemblies each for said each trunnion on said tripod member, each said bearing assembly comprising a block member mounted on said trunnion so as to be slidable, tiltable and pivotable, two rows of rolling elements mounted at each side of said track groove, and a pair of retainers each for retaining said two rows of rolling elements, each of said track grooves having a pair of side faces and a base face, said side faces being inclined so that said track groove will be narrowed toward the inlet thereof, said each track groove being formed at each side thereof with a pair of linear rolling surfaces extending in a direction parallel to the axis of said outer member, one of said rolling surfaces being formed on said side face and the other being formed on said base face near the corner of said track groove; said retainer being bent around the corner corresponding to the corner between the side face and the base face of said track groove; said rolling elements being adapted to roll between said outer member and said block member on said rolling surfaces on said outer member.