GB430859A - Universal joints - Google Patents

Abstract

430,859. Universal joints. RZEPPA, A. H., 3879, Audobon Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. June 12, 1934, No. 17431. Convention date, June 12, 1933. [Class 80 (ii)] A universal joint of the kind comprising inner and outer spherical members with meridian ball race grooves engaged by balls retained by an intermediate spherical cage member, has positive means for compelling an angular movement of the cage member substantially one half of the relative movement of the other spherical members. A cage member E, Fig. 1, is arranged with working clearance between a spherical member A on a shaft B and a spherical member C splined to a shaft D, and has slots to receive balls I which work in grooves F, G formed in adjacent faces of the members A, C. A spherical segment J abutting against the cage member E has a flanged opening J<1> to receive a ball K<1> on a pin K having spherical ends M, L respectively engaging cylindrical bores in the shafts B, D. The bore in the shaft D has a cup-shaped bush N<1> engaging the end L, and a spring P<1> in the shaft B keeps the pin K pressed towards the cup N<1>. The pin ensures movement of the segment J and consequently of the cage member E to keep the plane of rotation of the balls I approximately bisecting the angle between the two shafts. Fig. 5 shows a modification wherein the ball cage E<1> is engaged by a surface T<1> on a member T having two spherical surfaces T<3>, T<2> normally centred on the axis of the shaft D<1> at points on opposite sides of and equidistant from the centre of the joint. These surfaces engage corresponding surfaces on two members R, S, the member R being secured to the outer spherical member A<1> secured to the shaft B and the member S being splined to the shaft D<1>. Projections T', Fig. 6, on the member T engage recesses S<2> in the member S to cause the member T to rotate therewith, one projection being formed opposite each ball race groove in the member A<1> and the surface T<1> being defined by the faces of these projections. The member T and consequently the cage E<3> is constrained to tilt through half the relative angular tilting of the shafts B<1>, D<1>. The parts R, S, T are pressed together by a spring U with an interposed oil retaining pad V. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 contains a reference to U.S.A. Specification 1,665,280 which does not appear in the Specification as accepted.