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US4786270A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Homokinetic tripod joint

Assignee: NTN Corp
•
Filing: 1987-05-06
•
Granted: 1988-11-22
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Expires: 2007-05-06
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Abstract

Abstract A homokinetic tripod type universal joint including a tripod member having three trunnions, with a roller rotatably mounted on each trunnion is mounted in an outer member. The roller consists of an inside ring and an outside ring wherein contact is established between a spherical outer periphery of the inside ring and a cylindrical inner periphery of the outside ring. The outside ring is guided in a direction parallel with the axis of the outer member by guide surfaces provided internally of grooves formed on the outer member. This arrangement helps to reduce sliding resistance, temperature rise and vibrations due to induced thrust.

Inventors

  • 👤 Keiji Iwasaki

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 23:04
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/20; F16D3/202; F16D3/205; F16D3/2055; F16D2003/2026; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S464/00; Y10S464/904; Y10S464/905

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 224 words
A homokinetic tripod joint comprising: an outer member formed in its inner surface with three track grooves extending axially and equally angularly spaced around its axis, each of said track grooves being formed at each side thereof with a guide surface extending in the direction of the axis of said outer member; a tripod member having three trunnions projecting radially and equally angularly spaced around its axis, said tripod member being mounted in said outer member with said trunnions received in said respective track grooves in said outer member; an inside ring mounted on each said trunnion and having a spherical outer periphery; a plurality of rolling elements mounted between said trunnion and said inside ring; an outside ring mounted on said inside ring and guided by a guide surface of said respective track groove and having an outer periphery in contact with said guide surface and a cylindrical inner periphery; and means for preventing said inside ring from sliding axially on said trunnion; said inside ring and said outside ring rolling around said trunnion in contact with each other between said spherical outer periphery of said inside ring and said cylindrical inner periphery of said outside ring with said outside ring being guided by said guide surface formed on said outer member in a direction parallel with the axis of said outer member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 224 words
A homokinetic tripod joint comprising: an outer member formed in its inner surface with three track grooves extending axially and equally angularly spaced around its axis, each of said track grooves being formed at each side thereof with a guide surface extending in the direction of the axis of said outer member; a tripod member having three trunnions projecting radially and equally angularly spaced around its axis, said tripod member being mounted in said outer member with said trunnions received in said respective track grooves in said outer member; an inside ring mounted on each said trunnion and having a spherical outer periphery; a plurality of rolling elements mounted between said trunnion and said inside ring; an outside ring mounted on said inside ring and guided by a guide surface of said respective track groove and having an outer periphery in contact with said guide surface and a cylindrical inner periphery; and means for preventing said inside ring from sliding axially on said trunnion; said inside ring and said outside ring rolling around said trunnion in contact with each other between said spherical outer periphery of said inside ring and said cylindrical inner periphery of said outside ring with said outside ring being guided by said guide surface formed on said outer member in a direction parallel with the axis of said outer member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 43 words
A homokinetic tripod joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide surface comprises two planes forming an angle with each other and the outer periphery of said outside ring comprises two conical surfaces conforming to the shape of said roller guide surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
A homokinetic tripod joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide surface comprises a plane formed with two shoulders at both ends and said outside ring has a cylindrical outer periphery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 48 words
A homokinetic tripod joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide surface has a section in the shape of a gothic arch consisting of two cylindrical surfaces and said outside ring has a spherical outer periphery in angular contact with said roller guide surface at two points.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3818721A Cited
US4091641A Cited
DE2748044A1 Cited
JPS54132046A Cited
JPS5940016A Cited
US4684356A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-11-22 1992-05-23 1992-11-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-11-22 1996-05-23 1996-11-22 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-11-22 2000-05-23 2000-11-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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