Abstract: A universal joint assembly which prevents the bearing cups from rotating relative to the end yokes during use. In a first embodiment, the arms of a half round end yoke are formed having integral tabs which extend over the recessed areas of the associated bearing cups. The tabs cooperate with the shoulders to prevent the bearing cups from rotating relative to the end yoke. In a second embodiment of the half round end yoke, retainer straps extending about the outer circumferential surface of the bearing cups are provided with integral flanges. The retainer strap flanges cooperate with the bearing cup shoulders in the same manner as the tabs to prevent relative rotation. In a third embodiment, the bearing cups are disposed in openings formed in the arms of a full round end yoke. A retainer strap has end portions which are formed at a slight angle relative to the central portion. In a fourth embodiment, the retainer straps are secured to the full round end yoke by spring clips.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of half round yokes, a cross member and retainer straps. The retainer straps include a main body portion and two end portions, where the end portions have retainer faces for mating with the yoke faces, where the main body portion has a curved inside retainer surface positioned between the end portions and adapted to conform to the shape of the bearing cup and to cooperate with the yoke surface to retain the bearing cup. The retainer strap has a curved outside surface which extends from one end of the retainer strap to the other to provide extra strength at the end portions of the retainer strap.

Abstract: A structure for retaining a plurality of roller bearings within a bearing cup prior to being assembled on a trunnion of a universal joint assembly is disclosed. The bearing cup is generally hollow and cylindrical in shape, including a side wall defining an inner circumferential surface and a closed end defining an inner end surface. A plurality of roller bearings is disposed within the bearing cup adjacent to the inner cylindrical surface thereof. A first roller bearing retainer is disposed adjacent to the open end of the bearing cup, while a second roller bearing retainer is disposed adjacent to the closed end of the bearing cup. Each of the roller bearing retainers includes a generally flat annular plate having a plurality of relatively short projections extending therefrom. Preferably, the projections are formed integrally with the annular plate and extend from the inner peripheral edge generally perpendicular to the plane defined by the upper surface thereof.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly which prevents the bearing cups from rotating relative to the end yokes during use. In a first embodiment, the arms of a half round end yoke are formed having integral tabs which extend over the recessed areas of the associated bearing cups. The tabs cooperate with the shoulders to prevent the bearing cups from rotating relative to the end yoke. In a second embodiment of the half round end yoke, retainer straps extending about the outer circumferential surface of the bearing cups are provided with integral flanges. The retainer strap flanges cooperate with the bearing cup shoulders in the same manner as the tabs to prevent relative rotation. In a third embodiment, the bearing cups are disposed in openings formed in the arms of a full round end yoke. A retainer strap has end portions which are formed at a slight angle relative to the central portion. In a fourth embodiment, the retainer straps are secured to the full round end yoke by spring clips.

Abstract: A bearing cup retainer strap for a universal joint assembly prevents a bearing cup from rotating relative to an end yoke during use. The retainer strap includes a central body portion which has an inner surface adapted to extend about and engage a portion of the bearing cup to retain the bearing cup in engagement with a recess formed in an arm of the end yoke. A friction material is disposed between the inner surface of the central body portion of the retainer strap and the bearing cup. The friction material is adapted to increase the coefficient of friction between the bearing cup and the retainer strap so as to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The retainer strap is relatively simple and inexpensive, and does not require any specific orientation relative to the arm of the end yoke or to the bearing cup.

Abstract: A structure for retaining a bearing cup mounted on a universal joint cross within an opening formed through an arm of an end yoke during use. An external circumferential groove is formed about the outer surface of the bearing cup. An internal circumferential groove is formed about the inner surface of the opening formed through the arm of the end yoke. A recessed area is formed on a surface of the arm of the end yoke adjacent to the opening. The recesses area is of sufficient depth that it extends below the internal groove formed within the opening. Thus, a portion of the internal groove is exposed to the arm surface. To retain the bearing cup within the opening, a snap ring having a ventral portion and a pair of leg portions is installed such that the leg portions extend into the internal groove formed in the opening. The bearing cup is inserted within the opening until the external groove on the bearing cup is aligned with the internal groove formed in the opening.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly which prevents the bearing cups from rotating relative to the end yokes during use. In one embodiment of the half round end yoke, retainer straps extending about the outer circumferential surface of the bearing cups are provided with integral flanges. The retainer strap flanges extend across the recessed areas of the associated bearing cups and cooperate with the bearing cup shoulders to prevent relative rotation between the bearing cups and the end yoke.

Abstract: The yoke of a driveline is formed with diametrically spaced and generally semi-cylindrical pockets for receiving the bearing caps of the cross of a universal joint. A notch is formed in each pocket and receives the shank of a pin whose head projects into overlying relation with the pocket and into engagement with the bearing cap to captivate the bearing cap axially in the pocket. The inner end portion of the yoke is formed on a spherical radius and is adapted to pilot into drive tubes of varying internal diameters.

Abstract: An improved device for quickly and reliably retaining a pair of bearing cups on a universal joint cross during purging and shipment thereof is disclosed. The retainer includes a central portion which is generally elongated and flat in shape. In a first embodiment, first angled portions are formed integrally with each end of the central portion extending outwardly therefrom. The first angled portions may be oriented at relatively small angles with respect to the central portion. Second angled portions are formed integrally with each end of the first angled portions extending outwardly therefrom. The second angled portions may be oriented at relatively large angles with respect to the first angle portions. The corners between the first and second angled portions are adapted to receive the outer edges of the bearing cups therein. Respective apertures are formed through the retainer at each of such corners to receive locating tangs formed on a mating yoke for the cross.

Abstract: A Hookes universal joint has each limb (5, 6) of its yokes provided at its free end with a removable portion (15, 115) which, when it is removed, leaves an opening to facilitate fitting of the respective journal (11, 111) of the joint cross member into the bore (9, 109) in the yoke arm. The removable portion and main part of the yoke arm have inter-engaging dovetail formations either of frusto-conical form (18, 19) or straight configuration (118, 119). When a bearing bush (13, 113) is fitted in the bore, the removable portion of the yoke arm is held in a position or orientation such that its dovetail formations cannot become disengaged. The necessity of providing the yoke arm with bores for fixing bolts, which would weaken it, is thus avoided.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a Hookes universal joint including a bearing bush (11) with an external surface (16) for reception in a bore (12) in joint yoke (6), and a support ring (18) screw-threadedly engaged on the external surface of the bush at its ends nearest the axis of rotation of the joint yoke, for adjustment of the position of the bush in the yoke. For locking the support ring (18) in its adjusted position a locking member (23) is provided, with surfaces (24, 25) of different radii of curvature and/or offset centers of curvature so that the locking membrer can become jammed between facing cylindrical surfaces (20, 21) of the bearing bush and support ring. A spring (28, 29) is provided to bias the locking member to its jammed position, and a releasing pin (31) to release it to enable adjustment of the support ring.

Abstract: A coupling which transfers torque from one shaft to another through a fitting portion of a key and a keyway. Seal members are provided in gaps which are formed between opposite surfaces of the key and keyway and which do not transfer torque, so as to prevent entry of water into the gaps without bearing pressure due to the torque.

Abstract: A versatile mounting is provided for a bearing cup or race located in a yoke arm of a universal joint. The mounting includes an adapter sleeve which receives a bearing cup and enables it to be located in a larger bore of an existing yoke arm. The adapter sleeve has an annular flange which extends inwardly and contacts a closed end of the bearing cup. The sleeve also has at least one locating surface by means of which it can be located in a predetermined position in the yoke arm bore by means of a mounting fastener which engages the sleeve locating surface and a locating surface on the yoke arm adjacent the bore.

Abstract: A device for retaining a pair of bearing cups on opposing trunnions on a universal joint cross includes a pair of snap rings and a bearing retainer strap. The snap rings each have an outwardly extending portion formed therein and the bearing strap has groove engaging portions formed at opposite ends thereof by folding over the ends of the strap. The groove engaging portions extend into annular grooves formed in the outer surfaces of the bearing cups. The retaining rings are then inserted into the grooves and the outwardly extending portions engage the ends of the strap to maintain the groove engaging portions in the grooves. The strap is formed with a predetermined length corresponding to a desired spacing between the bearing cups.

Abstract: A Hookes universal joint has a yoke (15) which comprises a connecting element (24) and limb elements (28, 29) detachably secured thereto. Each limb element has a bore (31, 110) which receives a respective limb of the joint cross member either with the intermediary of a bearing cup (32) or directly. The limb elements further comprise flanges (34, 123) which face complementary parts of the connecting element, and the flanges and connecting element have inter-engaging splines (38). Bolts (36, 114) hold the limb elements to the connecting element. Lugs (40) on the connecting elements center the cross member in the joint.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a unique method and apparatus for machining a bearing cap assembly of the type typically utilized in a universal joint mechanism. The bearing cap assembly includes an open-ended bearing cap having a closed end wall with an outer surface secured to a mounting plate located generally parallel to the end wall and having spaced apart opposite end portions extending outwardly past the bearing cap. The present invention is specifically concerned with machining the end portions of the mounting plate extending outwardly from the bearing cap to produce spaced apart machined surfaces which can be utilized to attach the bearing cap assembly to an associated yoke arm. The present invention also concerns a unique bearing cap assembly which is produced by the disclosed method and apparatus.

Abstract: In a universal joint assembly consisting of a cross piece having at least one pin supported in a bearing bushing, the bearing bushing having a bottom section and an adjacent sleeve section; at least one fork arm having a recess extending in the direction of the pin machined to hold the sleeve section; a cover plate attached removably to the fork arm which holds the sleeve section transversely in place in the recess; a support acting on the bottom section in the longitudinal direction from the outside toward the inside, in the form of a strap integral with the cover plate, and attached to an outer end surface of the fork arm by screw fasteners or the like.

Abstract: A swivel pin bearing for rotatably seating a swivel pin in the yoke eye of a yoke arm. The bearing includes a bushing having a base portion and a sleeve portion integrally formed with the periphery of the base portion, this sleeve portion being arranged in the yoke eye with radial seating play, and a support plate releasably secured to the yoke arm. The base portion has a planar outer surface which opposes a planar inner surface of the support plate. An element is provided for coupling the bushing to the support plate such that axial displacement of the bushing relative to the support plate is prevented. The bushing is capable of sliding radial displacement relative to the support plate which is greater than the radial seating play of the bushing in the yoke eye.

Abstract: An axial securing device for securing a needle bearing bush in a yoke eye of the yoke arm of a universal joint including an annular groove provided in the yoke eye having at the end thereof facing the outside of the yoke arm a conical extension increasing toward the interior and a securing ring held in the annular groove to secure the needle bearing bush within the yoke eye, the securing ring having a radial sectional configuration which is wedge-shaped tapering on both sides toward the exterior and the needle bearing bush being designed at the bottom thereof as a conical projection expanding radially outwardly, the securing ring, the conical extension of the annular groove and the conical projection of the needle bearing bush having wedge angles which correspond with each other.

Abstract: A mounting is provided for a bearing cup located in a yoke arm of a universal joint. The mounting includes at least two diametrically-opposite recessed locating surfaces on the closed end of the bearing cup. Threaded fasteners are engaged in threaded holes in the yoke arm on diametrically-opposite sides of a bore therein in which a bearing cup is to be located. Annular locating surfaces below the heads of the fasteners and either separate from or integral therewith are also provided. These engage the recessed locating surfaces on the bearing cup and also locating surfaces on the yoke arm, the latter surfaces either surrounding the bore or positioned on opposite sides of the bore around the threaded holes. The mounting can be in kit form to replace bearing cups of an existing universal joint. In this instance, the replacement kit includes a bearing cup with the recessed locating surfaces, two threaded fasteners, and two of the annular locating surfaces for each yoke arm.

Abstract: A universal coupling (40) for joining two rotatable shafts (42,43) in driving relation includes a pair of opposed yoke members (48,49) connected together by a multi-legged spider element (51). The ends of the spider legs (52) are journaled within bearing caps (60) which are secured to yoke flanges (56) by bolts (67). Each of the caps carry a pair of tapered keys (70) which seat in a pair of keyways (71) defined in the yoke flanges when the caps are fixed thereto. The keys (70) and keyways (71) are aligned on the bores (64,65) through which the securing bolts extend.