Pin Carried By Intermediate Element And Slidable Axially In Slots In Both Coupled Members Patents (Class 464/121)
  • Patent number: 7993207
    Abstract: A vehicle joint assembly is provided comprising an outer race having an outer surface and an inner surface. A pair of opposed slot tracks are formed in the inner cup surface and each comprise a track top wall and two track sidewalls. A barshaft is in communication with a bipod element comprised of a body portion and two opposed peg portions. Each of the two opposed peg portions comprises two opposed curved engagement surfaces engaging one of the track sidewalls. The bipod element is positioned within the outer race such that each of the opposed peg portions resides in one of the opposed slot tracks. The bipod element is capable of being positioned in a variety of angles within the slot tracks and is capable of plunging within the slot tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony N. Arden, Samuel J. Oram, Steven L. Leffingwell, Noel W. Sutton, Thomas C. Walbridge
  • Publication number: 20100029394
    Abstract: A vehicle joint assembly is provided comprising an outer race having an outer surface and an inner surface. A pair of opposed slot tracks are formed in the inner cup surface and each comprise a track top wall and two track sidewalls. A barshaft is in communication with a bipod element comprised of a body portion and two opposed peg portions. Each of the two opposed peg portions comprises two opposed curved engagement surfaces engaging one of the track sidewalls. The bipod element is positioned within the outer race such that each of the opposed peg portions resides in one of the opposed slot tracks. The bipod element is capable of being positioned in a variety of angles within the slot tracks and is capable of plunging within the slot tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Tony N. Arden, Samuel J. Oram, Steven L. Leffingwell, Noel W. Sutton, Thomas C. Walbridge
  • Patent number: 6244966
    Abstract: A torsionally-rigid compensating coupling between first and second shaft ends has a ball bearing element positioned on the first shaft end and a ball socket element with grooves positioned on the second shaft end, with the ball bearing element including a ball bearing and a drive pin extending through the ball bearing. Pin ends of the drive pin extend out of the ball bearing into the grooves of the ball socket element. The grooves and ball socket of the ball socket element, in a longitudinal direction of the second shaft end, open out into a cylindrical recess that has a guide chamfer. The ball bearing element includes an elastic-force creating member and stops, with the elastic-force creating member driving the drive pin against the stops to fix the drive pin in its working position by elastic force, the drive pin being moveable against the elastic force in a longitudinal direction of the second shaft end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Preh-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Ofenhitzer, Oliver Zegula