GB2130639A - Universal joint - Google Patents

Abstract

A universal joint 14 comprises two components 16, 18 each substantially in the form of a hollow hemisphere having generally segmental slots 20 which define fingers 22, the fingers of the two components meshing with one another. In an alternative embodiment (Figure 2) a spider (50), formed in two halves, is interposed between the two components. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Universal joint The present invention relates to a universal joint.

According to a first aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided a universal joint comprising two components each substantially in the form of a hollow hemisphere having generally segmental slots which define fingers, the fingers of the two components meshing with one another.

Preferably, the fingers of each component are joined to one another on the axis of the hemisphere.

Each component may be formed by machining a solid work-piece but alternatively each component may be formed by pressing a circular sheet metal blank with sectorial cut-outs into a hemisphere and securing the peripheral edge ofthe blankto a tubular collar.

According to a second aspect ofthe invention, there is provided a universal joint comprising two components adapted to be secured to respective shafts and each substantially in the form of a hollow hemisphere having generally segmental slots which define first fingers and a spider having substantially hemispherical ends with generally segmental slots which define further fingers, the fingers of the spider meshing with the fingers of the two components.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation oftwo shafts connected by a universal joint of a first embodiment ofthe invention, Figure 2 shows two shafts connected by a universal joint in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 shows a sheet metal blankfor manufactur ing one of the components of a universal joint, Figure 4 shows the assembly of a universal joint from blanks as shown in Figure 3, and Figure 5 shows an alternative method of constructing one ofthe components of a universal joint.

tn Figure 1,two shafts 10 and 12 are connectedto one another by means of a universal joint generally designated 14. The universal joint comprises two intermeshing components 16 and 18 each of which is generally hemispherical and has segmental slots 20 defining fingers 22, the fingers of each component being received within the slots of the other. The fingers are connected to one another at their axial ends so that they should not distort when torque is transmitted through the universal joint 14.

The universal joint may be manufactured by using a sheet metal blank such as shown in Figure 3, the blank being cut into a circle with sectorial cut-outs 30 which form the slots 20 when the blank is bent into a hemisphere.

The flat sheet blank shown in Figure 3 is bent over into a hemisphere and Figure 4 shows two such hemishperes 32 and 34 about to be assembled into a universal joint. The two hemispheres are pushed into one another and afterthey have been meshed the circumferential edge of each hemispherical blank 32, 34 is secured, for example by welding, to a generally tubularcollar36, 38. When assembled,thecollars36, 38 are used to secure the universal joint onto the shafts 10, 12.

As an alternative, the tubular collar and the fingers of each component ofthe universal joint may be machined from a solid work-piece as shown in Figure 5 leaving the ends of the fingers spaced from one another.

In the latter case, in orderto strengthen the fingers, a suitably shaped connection piece 40 is screwed over the ends ofthe fingers. The connection piece 40 comprises raised sectors (not shown) which fit between the fingers and, if desired, the connection piece 40 may engage the inner surface ofthe fingers in a form locking manner. To assemble such a universal joint, two components are meshed with one another and the connection pieces 40 are fitted to the fingers in situ prior to the universal joint being fitted onto shafts.

Figure 2 shows a universal joint offering a greater degree of pivoting motion between the two shafts, the construction effectively affording two universal joints in series. The shafts 10 and 12 are in this case joined to one another by means of a spider 50. The spider 50 may be formed in two halves from two sheet metal blanks or it may be machined from a solid work-piece.

1. A universal joint comprising two components each substantially in the form of a hollow hemisphere having generally segmental slots which define fin- gers, the fingers of the two components meshing with one another.

2. A universal joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fingers of each component are joined to one another on the axis ofthe hemisphere.

3. A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each component is formed by machining a solid work-piece.

4. A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 or2, wherein each component is formed by pressing a circular sheet metal blankwith sectorial cut-outs into a hemisphere and securing the peripheral edge of the blanktoatubularcollar.

5. Auniversal joint comprising two components adapted to be secured to respective shafts and each substantially in the form of a hollow hemisphere having generally segmental slots which define first fingers and a spider having substantially hemispherical ends with generally segmental slots which define furtherfingers, the fingers ofthe spider meshing with the fingers ofthetwo components.

6. A universal joint substantially as herein described with reference to any ofthe embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Universal joint The present invention relates to a universal joint. According to a first aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided a universal joint comprising two components each substantially in the form of a hollow hemisphere having generally segmental slots which define fingers, the fingers of the two components meshing with one another. Preferably, the fingers of each component are joined to one another on the axis of the hemisphere. Each component may be formed by machining a solid work-piece but alternatively each component may be formed by pressing a circular sheet metal blank with sectorial cut-outs into a hemisphere and securing the peripheral edge ofthe blankto a tubular collar. According to a second aspect ofthe invention, there is provided a universal joint comprising two components adapted to be secured to respective shafts and each substantially in the form of a hollow hemisphere having generally segmental slots which define first fingers and a spider having substantially hemispherical ends with generally segmental slots which define further fingers, the fingers of the spider meshing with the fingers of the two components. The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation oftwo shafts connected by a universal joint of a first embodiment ofthe invention, Figure 2 shows two shafts connected by a universal joint in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 shows a sheet metal blankfor manufactur ing one of the components of a universal joint, Figure 4 shows the assembly of a universal joint from blanks as shown in Figure 3, and Figure 5 shows an alternative method of constructing one ofthe components of a universal joint. tn Figure 1,two shafts 10 and 12 are connectedto one another by means of a universal joint generally designated 14. The universal joint comprises two intermeshing components 16 and 18 each of which is generally hemispherical and has segmental slots 20 defining fingers 22, the fingers of each component being received within the slots of the other. The fingers are connected to one another at their axial ends so that they should not distort when torque is transmitted through the universal joint 14. The universal joint may be manufactured by using a sheet metal blank such as shown in Figure 3, the blank being cut into a circle with sectorial cut-outs 30 which form the slots 20 when the blank is bent into a hemisphere. The flat sheet blank shown in Figure 3 is bent over into a hemisphere and Figure 4 shows two such hemishperes 32 and 34 about to be assembled into a universal joint. The two hemispheres are pushed into one another and afterthey have been meshed the circumferential edge of each hemispherical blank 32, 34 is secured, for example by welding, to a generally tubularcollar36, 38. When assembled,thecollars36, 38 are used to secure the universal joint onto the shafts 10, 12. As an alternative, the tubular collar and the fingers of each component ofthe universal joint may be machined from a solid work-piece as shown in Figure 5 leaving the ends of the fingers spaced from one another. In the latter case, in orderto strengthen the fingers, a suitably shaped connection piece 40 is screwed over the ends ofthe fingers. The connection piece 40 comprises raised sectors (not shown) which fit between the fingers and, if desired, the connection piece 40 may engage the inner surface ofthe fingers in a form locking manner. To assemble such a universal joint, two components are meshed with one another and the connection pieces 40 are fitted to the fingers in situ prior to the universal joint being fitted onto shafts. Figure 2 shows a universal joint offering a greater degree of pivoting motion between the two shafts, the construction effectively affording two universal joints in series. The shafts 10 and 12 are in this case joined to one another by means of a spider 50. The spider 50 may be formed in two halves from two sheet metal blanks or it may be machined from a solid work-piece. CLAIMS

1. A universal joint comprising two components each substantially in the form of a hollow hemisphere having generally segmental slots which define fin- gers, the fingers of the two components meshing with one another.

2. A universal joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fingers of each component are joined to one another on the axis ofthe hemisphere.

3. A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each component is formed by machining a solid work-piece.

4. A universal joint as claimed in claim 1 or2, wherein each component is formed by pressing a circular sheet metal blankwith sectorial cut-outs into a hemisphere and securing the peripheral edge of the blanktoatubularcollar.

5. Auniversal joint comprising two components adapted to be secured to respective shafts and each substantially in the form of a hollow hemisphere having generally segmental slots which define first fingers and a spider having substantially hemispherical ends with generally segmental slots which define furtherfingers, the fingers ofthe spider meshing with the fingers ofthetwo components.

6. A universal joint substantially as herein described with reference to any ofthe embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.