Abstract: A universal joint has a ball retainer having a retainer body made of a structurally rigid material and a relatively soft elastomeric seal bonded to the body at an axial end in a recess so as to wipe lubricant back on the ball that is retained by the body. Cavity plates in a housing of the universal joint partially close off lubricant reservoir recesses to retain lubricant in the reservoirs and act as wear plates that stabilize the centering plate orbiting in the recess. Seals can be provided between the retainer and the ball socket, between the centering plate and the wear plates and between the wear plates and the cavity plates. Passageways connect the center cavity of the housing with the ball sockets through an orifice.

Abstract: A universal joint has a ball retainer having a retainer body made of a structurally rigid material and a relatively soft elastomeric seal bonded to the body at an axial end in a recess so as to wipe lubricant back on the ball that is retained by the body. Cavity plates in a housing of the universal joint partially close off lubricant reservoir recesses to retain lubricant in the reservoirs and act as wear plates that stabilize the centering plate orbiting in the recess. Seals can be provided between the retainer and the ball socket, between the centering plate and the wear plates and between the wear plates and the cavity plates. Passageways connect the center cavity of the housing with the ball sockets through an orifice.

Abstract: A guard for covering the union of two rotating drive shafts that are movable in a telescoping manner through a travel distance along a shaft axis includes inner, center and outer guard sleeves disposed about the shafts along the shaft axis. The sleeves are preferably cylindrical and concentric with the shaft axis. The center guard sleeve is radially disposed between the inner and outer guard sleeves in axially overlapping relation. A spring applies an axial force acting on the inner and center guard sleeves to maintain the overlap between the center guard sleeve and both of the inner and outer guard sleeves throughout the travel distance of the shafts. The center and inner guard sleeves are linked by a radial tab slideably retained in a slot in the inner guard sleeve.