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 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.