GB1559347A - Universal joint - Google Patents

Description

(54) UNIVERSAL JOINT (71) I, RAYMOND IBBOTT SARGEANT, of 162 Abbots Road, Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire WD5 OBL, a British subject, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a universal joint.

According to the present invention, there is provided a universal joint comprising an annular outer member defining a first aperture having two opposite part-cylindrical inner wall surfaces with a first common axis extending through the outer member perpendicular to the axis of the aperture, an annular intermediate member accommodated in said first aperture and having corresponding part-cylindrical outer surfaces so as to be rotatable relative to the outer member about said first common axis, the intermediate member defining a second aperture having two opposite partcylindrical wall surfaces with a second common axis extending through the intermediate member perpendicular to the axis of the second aperture and an inner member accommodated in the second aperture and having corresponding part-cylindrical outer surfaces so as to be rotatable relative to the intermediate member about said second common axis, the first and second common axes being mutually perpendicular.

The invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an end view of a universal joint; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the joint taken along the line II-II in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the joint taken along the line III-III in Figure 1.

The universal joint shown in the drawings comprises a generally rectangular annular outer member 1, a generally rectangular annular intermediate member 2 arranged within the outer member 1, and a generally rectangular annular inner member 3 arranged within the intermediate member 2.

The outer member 1 defines a first aperture having two opposite part-cylindrical wall surfaces 4 and two opposite planar wall surfaces 5. The surfaces 4 have a first common axis 6 extending through the outer member 1 perpendicular to the axis of the aperture. The intermediate member 2 is formed with corresponding part-cylindrical outer surfaces 7 and planar outer surfaces 8.

The intermediate member 2 is thus able to rotate within the outer member 1 about the axis 6 in the direction of the arrows 9.

The intermediate member 2 defines a second aperture having two opposite partcylindrical wall surfaces 10 and two opposite planar wall surfaces 11. The surfaces 10 have a second common axis 12 extending through the intermediate member 2 perpendicular to the axis of the second aperture. The inner member 3 is formed with corresponding part-cylindrical outer surfaces 13 and planar outer surfaces 14. The inner member is thus able to rotate within the intermediate member about the axis 12 in the direction of the arrows 15.

The first and second axes 6 and 12 are mutually perpendicular and lie in the same plane. The inner member 3 may thus be rotatably displaced in any direction relative to the outer member 1.

In order to maintain alignment at extreme angles of relative displacement, spindles may be incorporated between the respective pairs of members, these spindles extending on the respective axis of rotation between the adjacent planar surfaces.

The inner member 3 is provided with a rectangular aperture 16 which may receive a rectangular shaft, and if it is desired to connect this shaft via the universal joint formed by the members 1, 2 and 3 to another shaft the other shaft may be connected to the outer member 1 via a cup-shaped coupling member. The shaft in the inner member 3 may be connected therewith either rigidly or in a manner permitting changes in shaft length to take place. If the shaft is circular, with a corresponding circular aperture 16 in the inner member 3, a spline connection may be used.

The universal joint described and illustrated is capable of transmitting high torque values relative to its size, yet since relatively low compressive stresses are produced between the working surfaces, it need not necessarily be constructed from special high strength material.

In addition to connecting two rotatable shafts, the universal joint may also be utilised for other purposes, e.g. in civil engineering, where a flexible connection between sections may be required, such as in bridges.

It is also possible to position two universal joints of this kind close together to produce a constant velocity joint.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A universal joint comprising an annular outer member defining a first aperture having two opposite part-cylindrical inner wall surfaces with a first common axis extending through the outer member perpendicular to the axis of the aperture, an annular intermediate member accommodated in said first aperture and having corresponding part-cylindrical outer surfaces so as to be rotatable relative to the outer member about said first common axis, the intermediate member defining a second aperture having two opposite partcylindrical wall surfaces with a second common axis extending through the intermediate member perpendicular to the axis of the second aperture and an inner member accommodated in the second aperture and having corresponding part-cylindrical outer surfaces so as to be rotatable relative to the intermediate member about said second common axis, the first and second common axes being mutually perpendicular.

2. A universal joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner member has a central aperture for receiving a shaft.

3. A universal joint as claimed in claim 2, wherein the central aperture is rectangular.

4. A universal joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outer member, the intermediate member and the inner member are all substantially rectangular.

5. A universal joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein spindles are provided on said first common axis to connect the outer and intermediate members, and on the second common axis to connect the intermediate and the inner members.

6. A universal joint substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. member 1 via a cup-shaped coupling member. The shaft in the inner member 3 may be connected therewith either rigidly or in a manner permitting changes in shaft length to take place. If the shaft is circular, with a corresponding circular aperture 16 in the inner member 3, a spline connection may be used. The universal joint described and illustrated is capable of transmitting high torque values relative to its size, yet since relatively low compressive stresses are produced between the working surfaces, it need not necessarily be constructed from special high strength material. In addition to connecting two rotatable shafts, the universal joint may also be utilised for other purposes, e.g. in civil engineering, where a flexible connection between sections may be required, such as in bridges. It is also possible to position two universal joints of this kind close together to produce a constant velocity joint. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A universal joint comprising an annular outer member defining a first aperture having two opposite part-cylindrical inner wall surfaces with a first common axis extending through the outer member perpendicular to the axis of the aperture, an annular intermediate member accommodated in said first aperture and having corresponding part-cylindrical outer surfaces so as to be rotatable relative to the outer member about said first common axis, the intermediate member defining a second aperture having two opposite partcylindrical wall surfaces with a second common axis extending through the intermediate member perpendicular to the axis of the second aperture and an inner member accommodated in the second aperture and having corresponding part-cylindrical outer surfaces so as to be rotatable relative to the intermediate member about said second common axis, the first and second common axes being mutually perpendicular.

2. A universal joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner member has a central aperture for receiving a shaft.

3. A universal joint as claimed in claim 2, wherein the central aperture is rectangular.

4. A universal joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outer member, the intermediate member and the inner member are all substantially rectangular.

5. A universal joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein spindles are provided on said first common axis to connect the outer and intermediate members, and on the second common axis to connect the intermediate and the inner members.

6. A universal joint substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.