Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint, suitable for high speed low angle use, comprises outer and inner joint members (10,11) with engaging part-spherical surfaces (12,13) and arcuate ball-receiving grooves (14,15) diverging towards an end of the outer joint member closed by a closure member (17) with balls (16) held in the grooves by an element (31) and support member (32) which is pivoted on the closure member, and a spring (36) acting between the element (31) and support member (32) so that the balls are urged as far as possible into the grooves to take up clearances and maintain stability of the joint, particularly under no-torque conditions.

Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint of the tripod type comprising a hollow outer joint member having a rotational axis and three interior guide grooves parallel to its rotational axis and equally circumferentially spaced thereabout, each guide groove having a base portion and opposed side portions; an inner joint member, inside the outer joint member, having a rotational axis and three arms equally spaced about this rotational axis and extending radially into the outer member guide grooves; each arm carrying a roller assembly with an outer roller element having an external surface engaging opposed side portions of a guide groove; an inner roller element mounted on the arm and supporting the outer roller element so that the outer roller element can rotate about, move lengthwise of, and tilt relative to the arm; and a guide element engaging the base portion of the guide groove for sliding movement therealong and also engaging the outer roller element to constrain the outer roller element against tilting r

Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint of the tripod type, comprising an outer joint member (10) with three guide grooves (20), and an inner joint member with arms (13) each carrying a roller (21) which is able to rotate about, move lengthwise of, and tilt relative to the arm, wherein both the external surface (22) of the roller and each side portion of a guide groove (20) engaged thereby is of a gothic arch cross sectional shape to provide for angular contact between roller and guide groove and improve the guidance of the roller so that it remains aligned in the groove for rolling therealong and with the gothic arch section of the roller and/or guide groove side comprising arcuate portions with different centers of curvature, or having part-elliptical or part-involute portions.

Abstract: A hub assembly for a drivable wheel of a motor vehicle, with a hub member 10, a bearing assembly with an outer race 20 and an inner race 21, and a constant velocity universal joint with an outer member 16 and inner member 17, wherein torque is transmitted between the hub member and joint outer member through the intermediary of an element 23 of thermally insulating material. The arrangement is such that the thermally insulating element is loaded substantially only in compression, enabling the use of efficient thermal insulators.

Abstract: A plunging constant velocity ratio universal joint with inner and outer joint members having opposed pairs of straight grooves receiving balls for torque transmission, and a ball cage with inner and outer part-spherical surfaces, wherein the inner part-spherical surface of the cage engages a number of elements constrained to sliding movement along the lands between the grooves in the inner joint member. Each element may have a projection engaging in a groove in its land, and may be able to rotate about such projection. Frictional resistance to plunge of the joint is minimized by ensuring that the balls roll rather than skid along the grooves in the joint members.