GB380722A - Improvements in shaft couplings - Google Patents

Abstract

380,722. Universal joints. RUDQVIST, C. A., Liding÷, Sweden. March 4, 1932, No. 6603. Convention date, March 6, 1931. [Class 80 (ii).] In a universal joint of the kind wherein a resilient disc 14 is bolted at six points alternately to coupling flanges 12, and a body such as a hardened steel ball 20 is arranged to take axial stress, the body and/or the flanges or shaft ends are so formed as to permit relative lateral movement of the coupled shafts by rolling or sliding between the body and the flanges. The form shown in the Figure takes axial stress in both directions, the ball 20 being embraced by the interengaging curved arms 21 of two three-armed spiders, bolted one on each side of the resilient disc, preferably by the same bolts 15 which are used for attaching the disc to the flanges. To permit the required relative lateral movement, clearance is left between the bolts and the holes in the spider arms, or between the ball and the arms. The ball engages the flanges through central apertures in the spiders, either directly or through bearing-pieces 33. The resilient disc comprises several layers of metal or rubber, which may be reinforced by flanged rings 32. In a simpler form wherein the ball takes only compressive axial stress, the spiders 21 are omitted, the ball resting freely in a central aperture in the resilient disc. The ball 20 may be replaced by a plane plate bearing on curved surfaces on the flanges.