US6976922B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Precision thrust bearing joint
Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group LLC
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Filing: 2003-04-15
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Granted: 2005-12-20
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Expires: 2023-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A cross for a universal joint in a vehicle driveshaft assembly is comprised of a hollowed block of material having four openings. The hollowed block holds an inner cross that has a first cross member and a second cross member. Each cross member has an end portion that extends through a thrust bearing, and each thrust bearing is engaged with an opening in the hollowed block. The resulting thrust bearing joint can operate at higher loads than conventional cross designs.
Inventors
- 👤 Johnny N. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:10
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/26; F16D3/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A cross for a universal joint comprising: a block having an interior, a first pair of openings, and a second pair of openings; an inner cross disposed within said interior of said block, said inner cross having a first bore that is aligned with said first pair of openings in said block and a second bore that is aligned with said second pair of openings in said block; a pair of first cross member components, each of said first cross member components extending through one of said first pair of openings of said block into engagement with said first bore of said inner cross; and a second cross member extending through said second pair of openings of said block and through said second bore of said inner cross.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A cross for a universal joint comprising: a block having an interior, a first pair of openings, and a second pair of openings; an inner cross disposed within said interior of said block, said inner cross having a first bore that is aligned with said first pair of openings in said block and a second bore that is aligned with said second pair of openings in said block; a pair of first cross member components, each of said first cross member components extending through one of said first pair of openings of said block into engagement with said first bore of said inner cross; and a second cross member extending through said second pair of openings of said block and through said second bore of said inner cross.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The cross defined in claim 1 wherein said first bore of said inner cross is threaded, and wherein said pair of first cross member components extends into threaded engagement with said threaded first bore of said inner cross.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cross defined in claim 2 wherein said pair of first cross member components is a pair of bolts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cross defined in claim 1 wherein said second cross member is a bolt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cross defined in claim 1 further including a pair of thrust bearings that are respectively disposed in said first pair of openings of said block and engage said inner cross.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cross defined in claim 1 further including a pair of thrust bearings that are respectively disposed in said second pair of openings of said block and engage a sleeve extending therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The cross defined in claim 1 further including a first pair of thrust bearings that are respectively disposed in said first pair of openings of said block and engage said inner cross and a second pair of thrust bearings that are respectively disposed in said second pair of openings of said block and engage a sleeve extending therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The cross defined in claim 7 wherein said first bore of said inner cross is threaded, and wherein said pair of first cross member components extends into threaded engagement with said threaded first bore of said inner cross.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cross defined in claim 8 wherein said pair of first cross member components is a pair of bolts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cross defined in claim 7 wherein said second cross member is a bolt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
154 words
A universal joint comprising: a first yoke; a second yoke; and a cross connecting said first and second yokes, said cross including: a block having an interior, a first pair of openings, and a second pair of openings; an inner cross disposed within said interior of said block, said inner cross having a first bore that is aligned with said first pair of openings in said block and a second bore that is aligned with said second pair of openings in said block; a pair of first cross member components connected to said first yoke, each of said first cross member components extending through one of said first pair of openings of said block into engagement with said first bore of said inner cross; and a second cross member connected to said second yoke and extending through said second pair of openings of said block and through said second bore of said inner cross.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
154 words
A universal joint comprising: a first yoke; a second yoke; and a cross connecting said first and second yokes, said cross including: a block having an interior, a first pair of openings, and a second pair of openings; an inner cross disposed within said interior of said block, said inner cross having a first bore that is aligned with said first pair of openings in said block and a second bore that is aligned with said second pair of openings in said block; a pair of first cross member components connected to said first yoke, each of said first cross member components extending through one of said first pair of openings of said block into engagement with said first bore of said inner cross; and a second cross member connected to said second yoke and extending through said second pair of openings of said block and through said second bore of said inner cross.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The universal joint defined in claim 11 wherein said first bore of said inner cross is threaded, and wherein said pair of first cross member components extends into threaded engagement with said threaded first bore of said inner cross.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The universal joint defined in claim 12 wherein said pair of first cross member components is a pair of bolts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The universal joint defined in claim 11 wherein said second cross member is a bolt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The universal joint defined in claim 11 further including a pair of thrust bearings that are respectively disposed in said first pair of openings of said block and engage said inner cross.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The universal joint defined in claim 11 further including a pair of thrust bearings that are respectively disposed in said second pair of openings of said block and engage a sleeve extending therebetween.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
The universal joint defined in claim 11 further including a first pair of thrust bearings that are respectively disposed in said first pair of openings of said block and engage said inner cross and a second pair of thrust bearings that are respectively disposed in said second pair of openings of said block and engage a sleeve extending therebetween.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The universal joint defined in claim 17 wherein said first bore of said inner cross is threaded, and wherein said pair of first cross member components extends into threaded engagement with said threaded first bore of said inner cross.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The universal joint defined in claim 18 wherein said pair of first cross member components is a pair of bolts.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The universal joint defined in claim 17 wherein said second cross member is a bolt.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-12-19 | 2009-06-20 | 2009-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-12-19 | 2013-06-20 | 2013-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-12-19 | 2017-06-20 | 2017-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |