The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 16, 1985
Filed:
Jan. 05, 1983
Daniel W Hazebrook, Detroit, MI (US);
Glenn F Gehrke, Brighton, MI (US);
Michael J Schmidt, Grosse Pointe Park, MI (US);
GKN Automotive Components, Inc., Southfield, MI (US);
Abstract
A constant velocity torque transmitting universal joint, utilizing spherical ball members arranged in a longitudinal groove of an inner joint member, is adapted to connect to a shaft and a longitudinal groove of an outer joint member. The outer joint member is connected to a second shaft so that the outer joint member may be displaced in an axial direction relative to the inner joint member. Therefore, the inner joint member may be displaced in an axial direction relative to the cage restraining member holding the spherical ball members in their mutually opposed grooves of their respective joint members. The cage restraining member permits the spherical ball members to roll in their respective grooves for a short distance prior to skidding to reduce the overall resistance to axial movement effort prior to skidding as a result of the friction torque relationship of the joint. This is accomplished by providing a relatively flat or cylindrical surface on the outer periphery of the inner body member for a relatively short axial portion and blending appropriate spherical radii with the surface in order to provide sufficient clearance between the inner joint member and the inner surface of the cage. By providing this relatively flat portion to the outer surface of the inner body member, the start of the displacement of the spherical ball members with respect to the outer joint member is considerably facilitated since the spherical ball members can roll in their respective longitudinal grooves prior to skidding.