Abstract: Devices for connecting a power take off shaft to a drive shaft of an implement. The devices may include a connection device body having a cylindrical housing including a plurality of connection teeth. The devices may include a second body having a cylindrical body member with an annular plate including a slot. The devices may include an annular adapter having a projection adapted for slidable engagement with the slot in the annular plate of the second body, and a plurality of adapter teeth adapted for releasable engagement with the connection teeth on the annular engagement member. The devices may include a cylindrical sleeve disposed around the cylindrical housing of the connection device body and moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The devices may include a spring disposed around the cylindrical housing of the connection device body to urge the sleeve into its engaged position.

Abstract: A coupling member for coupling modules with each other. The coupling member comprises a coupling portion, which in turn has a coupling rim and at least two hook members disposed on the coupling rim. The coupling portion substantially corresponds in its outer contour to a spherical segment of a sphere with a predetermined spherical radius, wherein the coupling rim represents a circular disk of the spherical segment. In this case, an outer radius of the coupling rim is smaller than or equal to the spherical radius. The at least two hook members, in a lateral view, at least partially follow the outer contour of the spherical cap of the spherical segment. The at least two hook members are engageable with the hook members of a coupling portion of a second coupling member.

Abstract: Retention mechanisms are used for coupling two objects, such as coupling end-of-arm tooling to a robotic arm system. The retention mechanisms may include two mounting members, each of which may be attached to a respective object to be coupled, such as an end effector and a robotic device appendage. The retention mechanisms may use interlocking alternating fingers on each mounting members to cooperatively form a tapered annular channel into which an external retaining ring or disc spring fits and applies pressure to secure the opposing mounting members in tight proximity to each other.

Abstract: A handheld core drilling device includes a tool receptacle where the tool receptacle has a receiving sleeve and a tool receiving piece disposed in the receiving sleeve. A compression spring arrangement is disposed within the receiving sleeve. Exactly three equally spaced retaining tabs are formed on the receiving sleeve along a circumferential direction and each retaining tab has a respective stop surface that faces the tool receiving piece. Exactly three equally spaced bearing surfaces are formed on the tool receiving piece along a circumference of the tool receiving piece and each bearing surface faces a respective stop surface. Each of the bearing surfaces includes a stud with a stud surface where the stud surfaces in a radial direction are at most half as wide as the bearing surfaces in the radial direction.

Abstract: An anti-rotation assembly may include a first shaft, a second shaft, and a locking sprocket. The first shaft may have a first crenelated end rim, the second shaft may have a second crenelated end rim, and the locking sprocket may be configured to engage the first crenelated end rim and the second crenelated end rim to anti-rotatably couple the first shaft to the second shaft. That is, the locking sprocket may be configured to prevent relative rotation between the two shafts. The anti-rotation assembly may further include an axial retaining ring configured to axially retain the locking sprocket.

Abstract: A universal joint assembled in a drill string transfers torque between two components where the shafts of the components are not completely aligned. The universal joint includes two members each with pin connections on one end and axially extending arms on the other end. The axially extending arms intermesh when the members are assembled defining a closed cavity between the arms. The cavity retains a ball bearing held between two seats. The universal joint when assembled to portions of the drill string at the pins on each end transfer torque by intermeshing of the teeth. Axial force is transferred through the seats holding the ball bearing.

Abstract: A device for coupling two shafts by a gear mechanism includes a coupling part ending one of the two shafts. The coupling part is fitted concentrically into a complementary coupling part ending the other shaft. Splines of the coupling part have a constant profile along a median zone of the coupling part and which, in a first zone in continuation of the median zone, has a smaller thickness, between flanks of a spline, than a maximum thickness of the same spline in the median zone. Splines of the coupling part continue, beyond the first zone, as far as a centering zone on the same side as the first zone. The splines and the spline bottoms have, in the coupling zone between the centering zone and the first zone, a profile that continuously couples the splines and the spline bottoms to the surface of the centering zone.

Abstract: A dual drive winch having a drive assembly having a first shaft that is selectively movable between a first engaged position and a first disengaged position, and a second shaft that is selectively movable between a second engaged position and a second disengaged position. When the first shaft is in the first engaged position and the second shaft is in the second engaged position simultaneously, rotation of either the first shaft or the second shaft will, through a coupling mechanism, cause rotation of the other of the first shaft and the second shaft.

Abstract: A bearing member engageable and disengageable from a recessed portion of an image forming apparatus body is included. While the bearing member is engaged into the recessed portion, a cross-sectional area occupancy ratio which is a degree of area occupied by a cross-section of the bearing member to a cross-section of the recessed portion is 15% or higher and 75% or less. An outer peripheral shape of the bearing member in a cross-section is a hexagon, and assuming that a radius of a circumscribed circle of the hexagon is r1g, and when a hexagon is formed by sides enclosed by a triangle formed at an opening of the recessed portion when the recessed portion is viewed from a front in the axial direction and a triangle formed at a bottom of the recessed portion, a radius of an inscribed circle of the hexagon is r2h, r1g?r2h>0.

Abstract: A mounting structure of a drive-shaft includes: a shaft; a housing; a spring guide slidably disposed inside the housing having one end facing the shaft; and a spring with one end supported by a spring guide and the other end supported by the housing, in which a transmission has a companion flange with a cup-shaped coupling portion at an end, so when the housing enters the coupling portion, an elastic force of the spring biases the housing into the coupling portion. Since a fixing bolt is not used, it is possible to quickly assemble and disassemble the drive-shaft in maintenance.

Abstract: A universal joint structure for a tool contains an operating rod, a fitting sleeve, and a retaining member. The operating rod includes a universal joint formed on one end thereof, the universal joint is formed in a polygonal sphere shape, the fitting sleeve includes a polygonal locking groove defined thereon for fitting the universal joint, the fitting sleeve also includes a circular recess arranged adjacent to an opening of the locking groove and retaining with the retaining member. The retaining member is a C-retaining ring and includes a tilted guiding face defined around one surface thereof, and wherein one end of the titled face away from the circular recess is larger than another end of the titled guiding face adjacent to the circular recess so that when the universal joint is fitted into the locking groove, the titled guiding face retains with the universal joint of the operating rod.

Abstract: A curvilinear gear system and method for transferring force and speed through a wide range of angles is disclosed. The system can optionally incorporate curvilinear U joints to increase effective range of angles to tailor the system to specific applications. The system includes complimentary gear heads, one of which is a curvilinear gear such as a hemispherical gear. A method of using the gear systems in a transmission apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A torque transmission assembly has a first shaft, a second shaft and a coupling. The coupling has a first connecting member and a second connecting member. The first connecting member is coaxially fixed to the first shaft. The second connecting member is fixed to the second shaft. The first connecting member has a base with a metallic engaging member embedded inside. The engaging member directly connects to the first shaft. A plurality of projecting members is formed on the base. The projecting members extend in the axial direction and are circumferentially spaced. The second connecting member has a main body and a plurality of drive arms radially extending from the main body. The drive arms are sandwiched between corresponding projecting members of the first connecting member so that the first connecting member and the second connecting member rotate together.

Abstract: A direct orientation vector rotor (DOVER) for use on rotary wing aircraft includes a gear set for multidirectional rotor orientation based on the spherical coordinate system; an inclination mechanism, wherein the rotor is moved from the 0° horizontal position to an inclined position; a rotational turret, wherein the rotor is moved along the azimuth and wherein the inclination mechanism is housed; and a motion-adapted gear lubrication housing.

Abstract: A first side-face spline of a hub spindle and a second side-face spline of a constant velocity joint each has a tooth tip formed by tip tilted surfaces tilted from tooth flanks constituting a tooth chevron, an internal angle of the tooth tip is set to be less than 180 degrees, and a tooth tip-side perpendicular distance, which is a perpendicular distance between a tooth tip virtual intersection and a first virtual plane is set larger than a bottom land-side perpendicular distance, which is a perpendicular distance between a bottom land virtual intersection and a second virtual plane.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a face coupling, and contemplates a gas turbine engine having a face coupling. The face coupling includes a plurality of driving teeth extending from a first component, and a plurality of driven teeth extending from a second component. The plurality of driving teeth and the plurality of driven teeth cooperate to transmit a torque load from the first component to second component. The plurality of driven teeth include a root transition for preventing a driving tooth tip edge from contacting an adjacent driven tooth.

Abstract: A wheel supporting device includes: a hub unit that has a rotary ring having a first spline on its axially inner end face; and a joint that has an outer ring having a second spline, meshing with the first spline, on its axially outer end face. At least one projection included in a plurality of projections of the first spline projects in the axial direction by a larger amount than the remaining projections of the first spline. When a crest of the at least one projection contacts a crest of one of projections of the second spline, a play is caused between the rotary ring and the outer ring due to the at least one projection that works as a fulcrum.

Abstract: An input shaft to output shaft coupling including an input shaft having a first wave surface thereupon, wherein the first wave surface comprises mounds and valleys. The coupling additionally comprises an output shaft having a second wave surface thereupon, wherein the second wave surface comprises mounds and valleys. The coupling in one form additionally comprises a housing substantially enclosing the first wave surface and second wave surface, wherein rotational force exerted upon the input shaft is translated through the lobes of the first wave surface to the lobes of the second wave surface and to the output shaft in turn, and wherein the first wave surface and second wave surface transmit rotational force therebetween through any range of angles to a maximum output angle between a rotational axis of the input shaft relative to a rotational axis of the output shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller drive, comprising a first drive train for transmitting drive power from a first drive motor to a first roller; a second drive train for transmitting drive power from the same or a second drive motor to a second roller; the two drive trains each comprise a universal shaft; comprising a first joint permitting a larger angular deviation and a second joint permitting a larger angular deviation; an end part of each universal shaft which is remote from the roller is associated with one of the drive motors or the common drive motor, and is driven by the same; an end part of each universal shaft which is close to the roller is associated with one of the rollers in order to drive the same; the two end parts of each universal shaft are connected with each other via the two joints and a middle part connected to both joints.

Abstract: A sectional drive and coupling system for transmitting rotational power to an output, which system includes multiple, splined drive and receiving segments that are connected, nested and interlocked in the ends of successive segment housings to define a drive string that is rotatable in a selected straight or curved path. The top one of the segments cooperates with a drive mechanism to effect rotation of the drive string in concert and the bottom one of the segments connects to an output such as a drill bit.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having first and second wheels is provided that includes a differential apparatus adapted to distribute torque between the first and second wheels and a traction controller for controlling operation of the differential apparatus from vehicle launch up to a predetermined vehicle speed. The traction controller is configured to engage the differential apparatus in a first operating state according to at least one vehicle operating parameter indicative of a low traction operating condition and to further control engagement of the differential apparatus in a second vehicle operating state during the low traction operating condition according to a difference between an actual vehicle yaw rate and a predetermined target vehicle yaw rate. The control system also includes a stability controller for controlling engagement of the differential apparatus at or above the predetermined vehicle speed.

Abstract: A flexible drilling motor drive shaft coupling has two torque transmitting portions spaced apart axially, preferably, by a compression unit that is secured to one portion by a tension link and entrapped within the other portion. The tension link is, preferably, a cap screw extending along the axis of rotation of the coupling.

Abstract: A constant velocity (CV) joint assembly comprising a CV joint and an input member is disclosed. The CV joint that has a cage and a gear between which rotational drive can be transmitted. The input member is connected to the cage of the CV joint for transmission of rotational drive about an axis from an external component to the CV joint. The rotational drive is transmitted between the cage and the input member through interacting drive faces that are disposed in a plane that is generally parallel to the axis. The cage and the input member are retained in interconnection by fastening means that are not responsible for transmission of rotational drive between the cage and the input member. By separating the task of transmission of torque and retention of the connection between the cage and the input member, the fastening means required to perform the latter task can be comparatively light.

Abstract: A rotary shaft coupling is provided that can accurately transmit rotation of one rotation axis to another rotation axis even when shaft core misalignment is present between the rotation axes, and has superior durability, without generating noise. In a rotary shaft coupling 1 including a pair of joint halves 2a and 2b that are respectively attached to opposing axial end sections 12a and 12b and transmit rotation of one axis 11a to another axis 11b, outer teeth 6a of a gear are provided on one joint half 2a and inner teeth 6b that mesh with the outer teeth 6a and have a same number of teeth as the outer teeth 6a are provided on the other joint half 2b. Each outer tooth 6a and each inner tooth 6b are formed to absorb shaft core misalignment between both axes 11a and 11b and perform rotation transmission by having an involuted tooth profile of a same module and a tooth flank of the involuted tooth profile displaced in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A shafting, particularly a cardan shaft for rail vehicles, has two cardan joints (4,5), each of which comprises two link forks (7–10) coupled to one another by a central part (6). The central part (6) comprises at least two partial elements (38.1,38.2) that are connected to one another in the peripheral direction in a rotationally fixed manner by a shaft-hub connection, and in a displaceable manner in the axial direction. The shafting further includes a rotary actuator (17) arranged in the central part for performing a torsional movement of the corresponding end areas of one of the two partial elements of the central part relative to one another.

Abstract: An eccentric screw-type pump has a pump section with a tubular pump casing, a stator cladding and a pump cavity (30) configured in correspondence with a double-thread or multi-thread screw. A screw-type rotor is connected to a driving shaft via a flexible shaft. The flexible shaft is connected at its two ends via rigid coupler elements to the rotor and the driving shaft, and is surrounded by a preloaded coaxially disposed screw.

Abstract: A mud motor universal joint assembly that includes a pair of adjacent cylindrical joints having threaded connection means at one end and interlocking jaws at the other, each cylindrical joint having an internal blind tapered bore within the interlocking jaw portion containing a hard cylindrical load bearing member. The two joints are connected by a hardened cylindrical rod member inserted into the internal blind tapered bore of each joint and retained therein by perpendicular retaining pins. The joints, connecting rod, and bearing members are surface hardened to improve wear. No balls or seals are required and the internal hardened connecting rod and bearing members are easily replaced if necessary at a nominal cost.

Abstract: A device for transmitting torque and axially securing a first and a second component (30, 40) that exert torque. The second component advantageously consists of a disk 40, which can be placed with its recesses 42, which are arranged on its periphery, onto the axial projections 33 of a first component 30 in such a way that the projections 33 of a first component 30 protrude axially from the recesses 42 of the disk 40, and that on the protruding projections 33 of the first component 30 a preferably annular component 20 can be placed in such a way that the first component 30 can be permanently connected with the annular component 20 on their contact surfaces.

Abstract: A coupling having slots for receiving drive tabs of an associated driving shaft and a driven shaft, wherein the tabs of the driving shaft and the driven shaft are tapered to militate against rotational play between the driving shaft and the driven shaft which results in undesirable wear and damage to the drive shafts and coupling.

Abstract: A lower stress and higher service life curvic coupling design is disclosed for use on coupling mechanisms for assembly of components that comprise rotating elements, such as impellers, turbine wheels and couplings for gas turbine engines and other types of engines having highly stressed components. The curvic coupling design includes a compound fillet radius, comprised of a large and a small radius, located between the root and the pressure surface of all splined teeth on the torque transmitting coupling halves. The larger radius, with its lower stress concentration, is positioned in the root area where the background hoop stresses act, thereby resulting in a lower fillet peak stress value. The smaller radius smoothly connects the larger radius with the pressure surface, minimizing the penetration of the fillet surface towards the mating tooth, thereby allowing proper clearances to be maintained.

Abstract: A connecting assembly for a driveshaft, includes an end toothing at a first component and an end toothing at a second component, wherein the end toothings have teeth and gaps. In an end view, the image of the teeth and gaps at both components, are identical and wherein, starting from corresponding images of the teeth and gaps at both components, there are obtained matching complementary images of the teeth and gaps at the two components in an end view when the components are rotated relative to one another by 90° or 180°.

Abstract: A motorized gear reducer wherein a first external gear 41 is mounted on an input rotary shaft 11 coupled to a driving motor 3 and wherein a second external gear 43 is capable of engaging with the first external gear. The front end portion 63 of the first external gear side of the input rotary shaft is unable to make a relative rotation with respect to the input rotary shaft but made movable in the axial direction of the input rotary shaft. The front end portion thereof movably axially engages with the first external gear. The front end portion and the first external gear are allowed to select one of the conditions including making an integral rotation and freely making relative rotations in accordance with the axial movement of the front end portion.

Abstract: A flexible coupling has two spherical surfaces in rubbing contact to carry thrust, both surfaces having a common center of surface development each surface on an opposed coupling half, each coupling half having jaws extending toward the other half in an interdigitating relationship to conduct torque between the two halves, one half having a rigidly attached sleeve extending to position and support a peripheral seal for fluid tight contact with a peripheral surface on the other half to provide a fluid tight enclosure for the rubbing spherical surfaces and the surfaces of the jaws. A variable volume enclosure is provided as a lubricant reservoir and hydrostatic compensator to feed lubricant to the enclosed spherical surfaces and the surfaces of the jaws.

Abstract: A lower stress and higher service life curvic coupling design is disclosed for use on coupling mechanisms for assembly of components that comprise rotating elements, such as impellers, turbine wheels and couplings for gas turbine engines and other types of engines having highly stressed components. The curvic coupling design includes a compound fillet radius, comprised of a large and a small radius, located between the root and the pressure surface of all splined teeth on the torque transmitting coupling halves. The larger radius, with its lower stress concentration, is positioned in the root area where the background hoop stresses act, thereby resulting in a lower fillet peak stress value. The smaller radius smoothly connects the larger radius with the pressure surface, minimizing the penetration of the fillet surface towards the mating tooth, thereby allowing proper clearances to be maintained.

Abstract: A connecting assembly for a driveshaft, includes an end toothing at a first component and an end toothing at a second component, wherein the end toothings have teeth and gaps. In an end view, the image of the teeth and gaps at both components, are identical and wherein, starting from corresponding images of the teeth and gaps at both components, there are obtained matching complementary images of the teeth and gaps at the two components in an end view when the components are rotated relative to one another by 90° or 180°.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tooth coupling, in which the toothing is a face gear toothing. The special shape of the face gear teeth achieves the effect where the active tooth flank portions of the face gear toothing always lie against one another, with the result that the permissible loading and the alignment are improved.

Abstract: In the invention a flexible drill pipe comprising a plurality of short tube sections assembled end to end. Each short tube section having the same number and type of saw tooth shaped gear teeth cut around the circumference of each end of the short tube section. The orientation of the gear teeth on each end of the short tube section is such that the gear teeth of the short tube sections will intermesh when the short tube sections are assembled end to end. The plurality of short tube sections assembled end to end carries the torque load of the flexible drill pipe. A tool joint is interfaced on each of the plurality of short tube sections. The end of the tool joints that interfaces with the plurality of short tube sections has the same overall diameter and internal diameter and the same type and number of gear teeth as the short tube section. Wire rope lengths are assembled around and parallel to a hose used to carry drilling fluids through the flexible drill pipe.

Abstract: A coupling device is designed with a flywheel mass which faces a drive and is operatively connected, such that they rotate together, to a driver which acts on the drive. A holder is provided on the flywheel mass, which holder faces the driver and is provided with a tooth system. The driver has an axial attachment, which is likewise designed with a tooth system at its end which faces the holder. At least one tooth of the tooth system of the axial attachment is pressed, with radial prestressing, into the tooth gap between in each case two teeth of the tooth system of the holder.

Abstract: A motion impartation device having a driving portion; a driven portion engaged with the driving portion such that at least one gap separates the driving portion from the driven portion; and a structural element disposed in each gap such that a first compressive force is transferred from the driven portion to the driving portion and a tensile force is transferred from the driven portion to the driving portion. Each structural element including a compressive and a tensile structural element. The compressive structural element having a first enclosure defined by first walls surrounding a first cavity. The tensile structural element having a second enclosure defined by second walls surrounding a second cavity, a first non-compressible material disposed in the first cavity, and a second non-compressible material disposed in the second cavity.

Abstract: A three tooth kinematic coupling based on having three theoretical line contacts formed by mating teeth rather than six theoretical point contacts. The geometry requires one coupling half to have curved teeth and the other coupling half to have flat teeth. Each coupling half has a relieved center portion which does not effect the kinematics, but in the limit as the face width approaches zero, three line contacts become six point contacts. As a result of having line contact, a three tooth coupling has greater load capacity and stiffness. The kinematic coupling has application for use in precision fixturing for tools or workpieces, and as a registration device for a work or tool changer or for optics in various products.

Abstract: In order to provide a driving mechanism for a photosensitive drum which is capable of reducing deformation of the shaft of the photosensitive drum caused by loads when transmitting a driving force, a drive transmission course 51 is diverged to at least two courses in a drive transmission system 42 for transmitting the drive force from a drive motor 41 to the photosensitive drum 25. Specifically, the last stage of the drive transmission course 51 is engaged with a passive member 47 provided to the drum shaft 25a at two or more points to connect and link the drive force, thereby diverging the directions of loads to several directions, by which irregular movements of the photosensitive drum or vibration caused by the deformation of the shaft is eliminated.

Abstract: A universal joint comprises a driving gear and a driven gear each provided with a respective crown gear cluster, and a slotted casing confining the driving gear and the driven gear in meshing engagement. The casing comprises a slot through which the driven gear projects and along which the driven gear may be moved angularly from a first position in which the driving gear and driven gear are in-line, and a second position in which the driving gear and driven gear are substantially at right angles to one another. A guide element is captive on the driven gear and disposed within the casing, and rides along a channel formed in the casing. The guide element guides the driven gear in movement from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A telescopic shaft including a male member slidably fitted in the interior of a female member. The male and female members are rotatably locked by providing, on contact surfaces, a succession of small longitudinal ribs meshing with one another. One of the members includes at least one smooth longitudinal region devoid of ribs. The longitudinal region extends from one end of the one member to an intermediate point. The longitudinal region is engaged by a projection extending from the other member. The projection is directed towards the one member and acts as an abutment against the ends of the longitudinal region to limit the possibility of one member sliding with respect to the other member to prevent disassembly of the two members.

Abstract: A shaft coupling including a first gear on an end of a first shaft, a second gear on an end of a second shaft meshing with the first gear, a tubular sleeve around the meshing first and second gears, a universal thrust bearing between the tubular sleeve and the first shaft, and a self-locking linear retainer between the tubular sleeve and the second shaft. The self-locking linear retainer includes a cylindrical bushing attached to the second shaft, a plurality of windows in the tubular sleeve, and a plurality of resilient barbs on the cylindrical bushing which are flexed inward when the end of the second shaft having the second gear thereon is plugged into the tubular sleeve and which resiliently expand into the windows to prevent dislodgment of the second shaft from the tubular sleeve.

Abstract: A progressing cavity pump comprises an inlet housing defining a chamber, an extension tube defining a tube interior communicating with the chamber, a stator defining an internal passageway communicating with the tube interior, a rotor positioned in the internal passageway in abutment against an inner surface of the internal passageway and a coupling at least partially enclosed by the extension tube. The coupling is connected to the rotor for actuating the rotor for rolling movement along the inner surface of the internal passageway of the stator. In an especially preferred form, the extension tube is in the form of a surface of revolution and is separable into first and second sections along a dividing plane which passes through the center of the tube. Fasteners are used to removably fasten the first and second sections to each other, the housing and the stator casing to provide access for inspection of the coupling, the rotor and the stator.

Abstract: A zero clearance locking mechanism for a disconnect coupling device for a segmented driveshaft wherein the disconnect coupling device includes an input disconnect member having an input splined coupler integrated in combination therewith, an output disconnect member having an output splined coupler integrated in combination therewith, and a coil spring disposed in combination with the input disconnect member and operative to provide a biasing force.

Abstract: A drill coupling having opposing leg members which matingly engage to transmit rotational load. A pin having an enlarged spherical convex head is laterally inserted between leg members of one element within a recessed region precluding the axial removal of the pin. The other element of the coupling is then inserted down around the pin, engaging the leg members. The pin is secured in place. The first element may pivot with respect to the second element, thereby accommodating misalignments of connecting rotary shafts.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable length rotary drive coupling comprising a first rotary shaft provided with at least one tooth and a second rotary shaft provided with a plurality of abutment surfaces spaced apart along the length thereof associated with each the tooth. One of the rotary shafts is a drive shaft, with the other shaft being a driven shaft. Each tooth is selectively engageable with any of its associated abutment surfaces, to enable the length of the rotary drive coupling to be adjusted.

Abstract: A universal joint comprises a driving gear and a driven gear each provided with a respective crown gear cluster, and a slotted casing confining the driving gear and driven gear in meshing engagement. The casing comprises a slot through which the driven gear projects and along which the driven gear may be moved angularly from a first position in which the driving gear and driven gear are in-line, and a second position in which the driving gear and driven gear are substantially at right angles to one another. According to the invention, the gear teeth on one of the drive and driven gears are taller than the teeth on the other of the drive and driven gears, which allows the gears to intermesh more deeply in the right angle position, and permits advantageous dimensioning of the interior bearing surfaces of the casing.

Abstract: A universal joint comprises a driving gear and a driven gear each provided with a respective crown gear cluster, and a slotted casing confining the driving gear and driven gear in meshing engagement. The casing comprises a slot through which the driven gear projects and along which the driven gear may be moved angularly from a first position in which the driving gear and driven gear are in-line, and a second position in which the driving gear and driven gear are substantially at right angles to one another. The universal joint further comprises a compression spring surrounding a drive shaft of the driving gear within the casing, and acting between a first bearing surface of the casing and the base of the crown gear cluster of the driving gear.