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:
May. 21, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 06, 2000
Scott Jay Perrow, Freeland, MI (US);
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A retainer system for use in a tripot type universal joint is provided. The universal joint includes a spider having a plurality of rollers thereon. The rollers travel in drive channels within a housing of the joint. The retainer system comprises a retaining ring, having generally planar small diameter segments and generally planar and axially offset large diameter segments. The small diameter and large diameter segments are connected by blocking segments. The retainer system also comprises an annular groove having a retaining ring movement portion. The retaining ring movement portion allows for movement of the small diameter segments and blocking segments between an uncompressed state and a compressed state. In the compressed state, the spider can be inserted into the housing, because the blocking segments move out of the drive channels. In the uncompressed state, the blocking segments obstruct the drive channels to prevent movement of the rollers therepast outwardly of the housing to thereby maintain the spider in the housing. A method of assembling a universal joint is also provided.