Abstract: In a centered double joint, a centering device interconnects a first single joint to a second single joint. The centering device includes a pin extending axially outwardly from one of the single joints. An intermediate element is fitted onto and laterally encircles the pin with its radially outer surface fitted into the interior of a journal extending axially outwardly from the other single joint. A gasket laterally encircles an axially extending portion of the pin and of the journal and is in sealed engagement with each of them. A shaped reinforcing ring is tightly attached to the end of the gasket secured to the pin and seats against the adjacent end face of the intermediate element.

Abstract: A quick release clutch coupling for coupling two flanges between which torque is transmitted. Each flange carries a pair of axially extending clutch elements, each of which has bearing surfaces so that the clutch elements of opposite facing flanges engage each other along the bearing surfaces for the transmission of torque from one flange to the other. The engaged bearing surfaces of each clutch element lie in a plane which passes through the axis of rotation of the coupling. A bolt, which has oppositely pitched threads, is mounted for rotational movement by a guide on the coupling, and the axis of rotation of the bolt extends in a direction transverse to the axis of the coupling. A pair of tension shoes are carried on the bolt for displacement in opposite radial directions upon rotation of the bolt for preventing axial displacement of one coupling flange with respect to the other. Each clutch element has a further bearing face which bears against one of the tension shoes.

Abstract: In an adjustable telescoping power take-off shaft an inner shaft extends into splined engagement with an outer shaft. An adapter sleeve encloses an axially extending part of the outer shaft and a locking assembly, including a clamp nut threaded onto the sleeve and a retainer ring located within the nut, locks the inner and outer shafts in position after the length adjustment is made.

Abstract: A universal joint includes first and second yokes with a bore extending through each yoke. A cross trunnion having cylindrical bearing pins is carried between the first and second yokes with the bearing pins supported in the bores of the yokes. Hollow cylindrical bearing housings carried by the yokes containing roller or slide bearings may be used for journalling the bearing pins in the yokes. A stop member is carried by each of the yokes, and each stop member has an end face which is arranged to engage the end face of the other stop member to limit the amount of angular deflection of the universal joint. In one embodiment, the stop members are formed by limit bolts extending axially from each of the yokes into an axial bore of the trunnion. In another embodiment, the stop members are formed by axially adjustable stop collars carried coaxially on each yoke.

Abstract: A transmission shaft assembly of the cardan type for transmitting torque from an input to an output includes a pair of universal joints with an intermediate connecting shaft between the joints. The universal joints are connected to the intermediate shaft on one side and a first coupling flange is connected to each universal joint on its other side. A second coupling flange is detachably connected by screw bolts to the first coupling flange of each universal joint, and each coupling flange has a plane end face with at least two groups of axially projecting gear teeth for torque transmission coupling between the flanges. The teeth of each group on each flange extend in a direction parallel to one another and have inclined side walls for engagement with the side walls of the teeth of the cooperating flange.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly having an inner and an outer joint member with torque transmitting means therebetween is formed with a drive shaft attached to the inner joint member within an axially slotted bevelled end portion formed on an extension of the inner joint member. The inner member has threaded means formed on a cylindrical outer wall thereof and by threaded engagement of a nut about the end of the inner member extension, the drive shaft is releasably engaged and clamped in the inner joint member in a manner facilitating this assembly. The outer wall of the inner joint member is also formed with a recess within which one side of a sealing boot may be secured.

Abstract: A bearing system in a universal joint for journaling each of the bearing pins at a cross trunnion includes a journal for receiving each one of the trunnion pins. At least two of the journals are mounted on a drive shaft flange and have projections which engage grooves in an end face of the flange for preventing radial and lateral displacement of the journals with respect to the flange. Each journal has a seating bore for receiving a pin of the cross trunnion. A bearing bushing, having a bottom wall and side walls, is carried in each seating bore. A roller bearing is positioned between the inside of the side walls of the bushing and the trunnion pin carried therein, and a removable guard ring is carried in an annular groove of each journal engaging the bottom wall of its respective bushing for securing the bushing in the seating bore, thereby permitting removal and replacement of the bushing and allowing the use of guard rings having different thicknesses to adjust for clearances.

Abstract: A thrust plate utilized between the end face of a bearing pin of a trunnion in a universal joint and the bottom wall of a bushing on the bearing pin is formed of a wear-resistant heat-stable plastic material and lubricant grooves are formed in at least one surface of the plate. A plurality of protuberances which may be in the form of honeycombs, cams, or cam-ridges are formed in a surface of the plate between the lubricant grooves and occupy an area such that the deformation resistance under compression load will be less than two-thirds of the corresponding resistance value for the plate.

Abstract: In a bearing arrangement for universal joints, a shaft fork has a pair of laterally spaced arms each supporting a roller bearing in a bore. Located between the arms is a cross joint member which has a pin on each end extending into the roller bearing in the bore of the adjacent arm. Each roller bearing has an outer race with its outer surface contacting the surface of the respective bore. The end of the outer surface facing toward the opposite arm is threaded and a support ring is threaded onto it. The support ring bears against an end surface of the adjacent arm which faces toward the opposite arm. The support ring is adjustable and can be locked in position relative to the arm of the shaft fork by a safety bolt.

Abstract: A coupling flange on a torque transmitting shaft or the like for coupling in face-to-face relationship with a counter-flange has at least two tooth systems on its coupling surface and each system comprising a plurality of substantially parallel axially projecting teeth having inclined flanks. At least one tooth in each tooth system has a different height, spacing or shape from the other teeth in the tooth system and the tooth systems are engagable with a complementary configuration on the counter-flange so as to connect nonrotatably the flanges.

Abstract: Universal or Cardan joints of a power shaft are joined by an axially sliding coupling which is sealed by a combination bearing and wiper having a low co-efficient of friction. One of the universal joints has an internally splined hub receiving an externally splined pin on an intermediate shaft secured to the other joint so that the axial spacing of the two joints can be varied without loss of power transmission. A sleeve or pipe secured at one end to the pin surrounds the hub and carries in its other end a plastics material sealing ring with a rigid bearing portion and a flexible lip portion riding on the hub to hold the sleeve concentrically around the hub and seal the chamber between the sleeve and hub.

Abstract: A universal joint shaft assembly is balanced by weights carried in rings of C-shaped cross section surrounding the assembly adjacent the universal joints and the weights are retained in balancing positions by locally deforming the outer peripheral leg or arm of the C-shaped ring into gripping relation with the weights. Where the weights are made of soft metal, notches of the ring can be pressed into the weights. The C-shaped rings can be anchored to components adjacent the joints of the universal shaft by pressing flaps out of the webs of the rings and securing these flaps to the joint components or can be integral parts of a tube surrounding the shaft.