GB412165A - Improvements in cardan joints and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

412,165. Universal joints. ERIANN HOLDING DE BREVETS DE MECANIQUE ET ELECTRICITE, 71, Rue Chauveau, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. Sept. 15, 1932, No. 25715. Void [Abridged as open to inspection under Sect. 91 of the Acts, Sept. 16, 1932]. [Class 80 (ii).] A universal joint, more particularly for driving motor-vehicle steering-wheels, comprises substantially radial elastic elements, such as packs of leaf springs d, fixed at their inner ends to one shaft b and having their outer ends freely engaging internal ribs f in a spherical casing g attached to the coupled shaft a. The ribs lie in planes which divide the casing into symmetrical segments and the spaces between the ribs may be of constant width or they may taper towards each end. The lateral bearing surfaces of the ribs may be flat or they may be convex radially. The coupling is centred by co-operating spherical surfaces i, h on the casing g and shaft b respectively. Alternate springs are staggered and inclined in opposite directions, as shown, in order to accommodate a greater number of them. The springs may be formed of a number of steel wires, rods, or plates of rectangular cross-section and bound on at least one bearing face by a steel plate. The springs permit universal movement by twisting and sliding. In a modification, Fig. 4, the springs d are replaced by rigid or elastic arms d<1> separated from the ribs f by coil or blade springs d<2> retained by flanges f<1> on the ribs. The road-wheel is carried in a fork c the ends of which form the steering pivots having an axis passing through the centre A of the joint.