Claims
- 1. A constant velocity universal joint comprising:
- a hollow outer race defining a rotational axis, said outer race including an inner surface which extends along said rotational axis, a plurality of linearly extending grooves formed in said inner surface which are alternately inclined relative to said rotational axis, and a single spherical portion formed in said inner surface which extends only partially along said rotational axis;
- an inner race disposed within said outer race, said inner race including an outer surface which extends along said rotational axis and a plurality of linearly extending grooves formed in said outer surface which are alternately inclined relative to said rotational axis, each of said inner race grooves being associated with an outer race groove, said associated inner and outer race grooves being inclined in opposite directions relative to the rotational axis of the joint;
- a hollow cage disposed between said outer race and said inner race, said cage including a single outer spherical surface which engages said single spherical portion of said inner surface of said outer race to prevent said cage from moving axially relative to said outer race, said single spherical portion of said inner surface of said outer race and said single outer spherical surface of said hollow cage providing the only point of contact between said outer race and said hollow cage, said hollow cage not engaging said inner race at any point, said hollow cage further including a plurality of openings formed therethrough; and
- a ball disposed in each of said plurality of openings formed through said cage, said balls extending into said associated inner and outer race grooves to provide a rotational driving connection between said outer race and said inner race.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/750,404 filed 27 Aug. 1991, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (11)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1455037 |
Oct 1976 |
GBX |
2092267 |
Aug 1982 |
GBX |
2181501 |
Apr 1987 |
GBX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry |
Universal Joint and Driveshaft Design Manual (Advances In Engineering Series No. 7) Published By: The Society Of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 1979. |
Universal Joint and Driveshaft Design Manual (advances in Engineering No. 7); The society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. 1979. |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
750404 |
Aug 1991 |
|