Abstract: A universal joint includes a spider operatively coupled to two pairs of trunnions, each pair of trunnions having an axis. The spider includes first and second portions that may substantially bisect the spider along a plane containing the axes. The joint further may include a pair of yokes, each yoke having a shaft and a pair of bosses, and each pair of bosses may receive the distal parts of a corresponding pair of trunnions. The spider further may include a plurality of openings, each opening receiving a ball bearing. Each opening in the spider may include a shoulder configured to abut the ball bearing in a radial direction, e.g., by extending radially inward from an outer surface of the spider. The trunnions may be press fit into the bearings and the bosses, and the bearings may be press fit into the spider openings, thereby eliminating backlash in the universal joint.

Abstract: A propeller shaft with a dynamic damper and a tubular wound paper damper in an inner portion of the propeller shaft. The dynamic damper provided with a ring member at an outer side in a diametrical direction and a weight member elastically retained in an inner side in the diametrical direction of the ring member. The paper damper has an outer paper portion positioned in the outer side in the diametrical direction and an inner paper portion positioned in the inner side in the diametrical direction. The outer paper portion extending to the dynamic damper farther than said inner paper portion, contacting the ring member, thus inhibiting the inner paper portion from coming into contact with the weight member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring member of a ring-type universal joint utilized for transferring rotary motion from a first shaft to a second shaft. The ring member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings for receiving outwardly extending torque transfer elements associated with the first and second shafts. One or more of these openings are separable to facilitate connection of the first and second shafts. In this regard, the separable bores are formed partially within the ring member and partially within a retaining member interconnectable to the ring member. This allows for disposing a torque transfer element within a portion of the bore formed on the ring member and then interconnecting the retainer over that element. In one embodiment, the, retaining members for first and second opposing pairs of bores interconnect to opposite sides of the ring member allowing individual interconnection of the shafts to the ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring member of a ring-type universal joint utilized for transferring rotary motion from a first shaft to a second shaft. The ring member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings for receiving outwardly extending torque transfer elements associated with the first and second shafts. One or more of these openings are separable to facilitate connection of the first and second shafts. In this regard, the separable bores are formed partially within the ring member and partially within a retaining member interconnectable to the ring member. This allows for disposing a torque transfer element within a portion of the bore formed on the ring member and then interconnecting the retainer over that element. In one embodiment, the retaining members for first and second opposing pairs of bores interconnect to opposite sides of the ring member allowing individual interconnection of the shafts to the ring.

Abstract: Universal joint (100) includes a centering mechanism (100A) for supporting the universal and forcing the two joint halves to operate at the same angle thereby causing the joint to operate at constant velocity at all angles. Each shaft (134, 135) of the joint (100) is rotatably connected to the centering mechanism (100A). Movement of one of the shafts (134, 135) at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling yoke (136) is transmitted to the other shaft (135, 134) by the centering mechanism (100A) and the centering mechanism (100A) causes the other shaft (135, 134) to likewise move at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling yoke (136). The centering mechanism (100A) includes cam rods (102, 103) supported within a cam tube (101), which arrangement allows a full range of movement of the shafts (134, 135) at angles of 90 °.

Abstract: A universal joint (150) includes a centering device (160) for maintaining the joint at constant velocity. Each shaft (101) of the joint (150) is connected to a centering device (160). Movement of one of the shafts (101) at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device (117) is transmitted to the other shaft (101) by the centering device (160) and the centering device (160) causes the other shaft (101) to likewise move at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device (117). The centering device (160) includes an epicyclic bearing (106) within an epicyclic bearing (105), which arrangement of epicyclic bearings allows a full range of movement of the shafts (101).

Abstract: A universal joint includes a centering device for maintaining the joint at constant velocity. Each shaft of the joint is connected to a ball stud. Movement of one of the shafts at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device is transmitted to the other shaft by the centering device and the centering device causes the other shaft to likewise move at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling device.

Abstract: A universal joint (310) includes a yoke (311) in which is disposed a dual trunnion (312) and which is disposed in a ring (315). Pins (321, 322) connect the ring to the dual trunnion and to the yoke. Lubricant in a non-continuous lubricant channel (319), extending less than 360.degree. around the ring, provides lubrication for the pins (321, 322), whose ends disposed in the ring (315) are surrounded by needle bearings (31). Because the channel is non-continuous, lubricant entering one lubricant port (320) must travel the length of the lubricant channel before exiting the channel via the second lubricant port (326). In this manner, the lubricant channel is purgable and lubricant is supplied to all bearings. A first shaft (340) is integrally connected to the dual trunnion (312), and a second shaft (513) is integrally connected to the yoke (311). By joining the yokes (311) of two such joints (310) with a common shaft (313), a composite joint (300) can be formed.

Abstract: A universal joint (310) includes a substantially hemispherical cup-shaped yoke (311) in which is disposed a cross trunnion (312) and which is disposed in a ring (315). Pins (321, 322) connect the ring to the cross trunnion and to the yoke. Lubricant in an annular channel (319) in the ring provides lubrication for the pins (321, 322), whose ends disposed in the ring (315) are surrounded by needle bearings (31). A first shaft (340) is integrally connected to the cross trunnion (312), and a second shaft (513) is integrally connected to the yoke (311). By joining the yokes (311) of two such joints (310) which a common shaft (313), a composite joint (300) can be formed.