Ball Mounted In Groove For Relative Axial Movement With Respect To Coupled Member Patents (Class 464/141)
  • Patent number: 11944890
    Abstract: Coupling device (20) for a vertical pole (8) for gym exercises comprising a hemispherical element (3) positioned inside a seat (22), a base (1), a shaft (5) inserted inside the hemispherical element (3) to which the vertical pole (8) for gym exercises is connected, said device (20) being characterized in that the hemispherical element (3) comprises a plurality of blocking elements (10, 33, 45) configured to be coupled to a plurality of corresponding elements (26, 34, 44), made on the inner surface of the seat (22) of the hemispherical element (3) to prevent the rotation of the pole (8) around an axis (X) passing through the centre of the coupling device (20) while leaving free the oscillatory movement of the pole (8) with respect to said axis (X).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: LA.ME Di Mattellini Angelo e Danillo & C SAS
    Inventor: Angelo Mattellini
  • Patent number: 11424661
    Abstract: A shaft coupling includes a first shaft supported by a bearing at a first end, and a second shaft supported by a bearing at a second end. The first shaft and second shaft are coaxially arranged so that the second end of the first shaft is against the first end of the second shaft. On an end surface of the second end of the first shaft, there is a recess, and a protrusion protrudes from the end surface of the first end of the second shaft, and the recess receives the protrusion. The shaft coupling includes only one third bearing, as well as a coupler which receives the second end of the first shaft and the first end of the second shaft. With such a solution, a greater radial error may be allowed between the shafts without the structures of the coupling point being overloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: KONECRANES GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teppo Lindberg, Jussi Puhakka, Pekka Laakkonen
  • Patent number: 11394270
    Abstract: A gear assembly is provided that simplifies the integration of a differential assembly into the hollow rotor of an electric motor. The gear assembly utilizes a hollow cross member that includes a central portion and a plurality of hollow extension members onto which the gears are mounted. Within each of the hollow extension members is a pin. When the pins are withdrawn, the assembly fits unimpeded within the hollow rotor. When the pins are partially extended out of the corresponding extension members, the ends of the pins fit within apertures in the rotor. A plug fits within a centrally located thru-hole in the central portion of the hollow cross member, thereby locking the pins in the extended position and locking the gear assembly in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Atieva, Inc.
    Inventors: Shun-Cheng Hung, Jeremy Mayer, Balazs Palfai, Michael David Kennedy
  • Patent number: 11261909
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a swing bearing and a wearable device. The swing bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements, a plurality of first grooves arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction being formed on an outer circumferential surface of the inner ring, a plurality of second grooves arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction being formed on an inner circumferential surface of the outer ring, each rolling element being disposed between the corresponding first groove and the second groove, and the rolling element, the first groove, and the second groove being configured to restrict relative rotational movement between the inner ring and the outer ring and allow the inner ring and the outer ring to produce shaft axis deflection movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Rongjie Wei, Yun Jiang, Haijian Tang, Conghua Jiang, Jianfeng Yang
  • Patent number: 10514069
    Abstract: A drive shaft assembly includes a first shaft member, a second shaft member, and a ball member. The first shaft member has a base that radially extends from a first shaft that extends along a first axis, and a finger that extends from the base and defines a first ball track. The second shaft member has a second shaft extending along a second axis defining a second ball track. The ball member is received within the first ball track and the second ball track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew A. Berube
  • Patent number: 10018124
    Abstract: A ball bearing including a ball head arranged at a support rod and supported in a ball head receiver, characterized in that the ball head is secured at an outer surface of the ball head in the ball head receiver by a retaining ring against sliding out of the ball head receiver. The invention also relates to a piston rod with the ball bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ECO Holding 1 GmbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 9989100
    Abstract: A coupling joint having a hollow cylindrically-shaped housing with a closed end and a housing opening is described. The housing has a ring groove adjacent the opening and a splined housing shaft which extends from the closed end. A spherical bearing is partially located within the housing. The spherical bearing has a splined bearing shaft that extends from the housing. A first socket half and a second socket half are located within the housing. The first and second socket halves capture the spherical bearing in a socket formed by the first socket half and by the second socket half. A housing snap ring located in a ring groove retains the first socket half; the spherical bearing and the second socket half within the housing. A first socket half and second socket half receive couplers that mate the spherical bearing to the first socket half and second socket half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: Alasdair W. M. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9776310
    Abstract: A driving tool is provided, including a tool set and a driving head. The tool set includes a connecting sleeve, an outer sleeve and at least one limitation member. The connecting sleeve has a receiving slot and a driving end. A plurality of protruding ribs extending axially and a plurality of recesses disposed between the protruding ribs are disposed on an inner wall of the receiving slot. The recesses are provided for a polygonal ball head to insert therein. A recessed portion and a protruding portion are disposed on the inner wall. The outer sleeve is slidable between a first position and a second position. When the outer sleeve is at the first position, the limitation member can restrict the polygonal ball head. When the outer sleeve is at the second position, the polygonal ball head is withdrawable from the receiving slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Yuan Li Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Yi Chen, Hui-Chien Chen
  • Patent number: 9701396
    Abstract: A joint arrangement includes an outer joint component, an inner joint component, a cage and at least two balls located between the outer and inner joint component and in openings of the cage. The balls run in ball recesses, while at least two are in a mechanical contact with pressing devices, which are adapted for holding the respective balls in a radially flexible position relative to one of the inner joint component, the outer joint component and the cage and for pressing the respective balls into the corresponding recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Tanno Zantz
  • Patent number: 9506501
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting joint for transmitting a rotation movement from a first to a second rotating shaft, having a joint outer part, a joint central part, and a joint inner part, wherein for transmitting the rotation movement, the joint outer part is connected to the first rotating shaft and the joint inner part is connected to the second rotating shaft. A plurality of balls are provided in ball tracks, which balls in the ball tracks may change their position in relation to the joint outer part, joint central part, and joint inner part. Rotational movement of the connecting joint, by way of the balls in the ball tracks, is transmittable from the joint outer part via the joint central part to the joint inner part and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP STEEL EUROPE AG
    Inventor: Michael Gövert
  • Publication number: 20150094157
    Abstract: A rotational connector device is disclosed which incorporates a housing that is attached to a first shaft and an inner member that is disposed within the housing and connected to a second shaft. The first and second shaft may be at skewed angles with respect to each other. The housing and the inner member are slidably and rotationally connected to each other by way of a washer and pin to provide one-to-one rotational motion between the first and second shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: KENNETH A. LOCK
  • Patent number: 8925204
    Abstract: A method of making a CV joint is disclosed. The method includes forming a first rotatable shaft having a first longitudinal axis, the first shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end thereof an enlarged pocket end. The method also includes forming a plurality of inwardly extending bores into the enlarged pocket end along peripherally spaced, radially extending pocket axes to a bore depth. The method further includes forming a plurality of inwardly extending ball pockets that are disposed about the pocket axes to a pocket depth, wherein the bore depth is greater than the pocket depth, thereby forming a recessed lubricant reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Keith A. Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 8915788
    Abstract: A universal joint carried by an elongate body having an axis. The universal joint has an inner race that pivots omni-directionally within an outer race and a series of first and second opposed cavities formed in the inner race and the outer race. There are a plurality of torque transfer elements, each torque transfer element having a first portion that engages a first cavity and a second portion that engages a corresponding second cavity. The first cavity is a socket that permits rotation of the first portion within the first cavity as the inner race pivots omni-directionally within the outer race and the second cavity is a track oriented in the direction of the axis of the elongate body. The second portion moves along the track as the inner race pivots omni-directionally within the outer race of the second portion along the track. The second portion has at least one drive surface that engages an inner surface of the track at more than one point along the direction of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cathedral Energy Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Dean Norman Foote, Jason Williams
  • Publication number: 20140206463
    Abstract: A counter track joint includes an outer joint part with first and second outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with first and second inner ball tracks. The first outer and inner ball tracks, together, form first pairs of tracks, which, when the joint is in an aligned position, widen towards the aperture end of the outer joint part and each accommodate first torque transmitting balls. The second outer and inner ball tracks, together, form second pairs of tracks which, when the joint is in the aligned position, widen towards the attaching end of the outer joint part and which each accommodate second torque transmitting balls. The centres of the balls of the first pairs of tracks each define a first track centre line. The first track centre line, in the direction from the central joint plane towards the attaching end extends radially inside a first reference arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GKN DRIVELINE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Anna Gremmelmaier, Ida Hassenrik, Hans-Jürgen Post, Thomas Weckerling
  • Publication number: 20130252746
    Abstract: A propeller shaft is proposed which comprises an outer cylindrical member formed with a sleeve portion that has a splined cylindrical inner wall with which a splined cylindrical outer wall of a shaft is engaged; an inner cylindrical member installed in the outer cylindrical member; a torque transmitting unit through which a torque is transmitted from the outer cylindrical member to the inner cylindrical member; and a connecting mechanism that, upon engagement of the splined cylindrical outer wall with the splined cylindrical inner wall, effects an axial and relative positioning between the shaft and the outer cylindrical member while establishing a detachable connection therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS KYUSHU, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi SUGIYAMA, Takahiro KUROHA, Yasutomo MABE
  • Patent number: 8348773
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft, the first shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket end, the pocket end having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets and a distal end; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket end with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, each of the plurality of ball pockets having a recessed lubricant reservoir, the lubricant reservoir having a lubricant disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Keith A. Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 8323116
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes an outer member defining an interior opening and a plurality comprising at least four grooves disposed within the interior opening and extending along a first longitudinal axis with each of the grooves being parallel to the other grooves and the first longitudinal axis, and an inner member disposed within the interior opening having a second longitudinal axis and defining a plurality of pockets corresponding to the grooves disposed radially about the second longitudinal axis with each of the plurality of pockets opposing one of the plurality of grooves. The joint further includes a plurality of drive balls corresponding to the grooves, each drive ball having a spherical shape and rotatably disposed within one of the plurality of pockets and moveably disposed within one of the plurality of grooves, wherein the outer member, inner member and plurality of drive balls comprise a constant velocity joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jorge Flores-Garay, Keith A. Kozlowski, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra
  • Publication number: 20120297911
    Abstract: A forged composite powder metal part, such as a CVJ inner race or bevel gear, and method of making the same are disclosed. The forged composite powder metal part includes a outer section concentrated with a first powder metal material, a inner section concentrated with a second powder metal material and a variable boundary profile between the materials of the two sections. For example, in a forged CVJ inner race, the different materials can provide improved wear resistance in the ball tracks and improved spline performance. As another example, in a forged bevel gear, the different materials can be used to create a continuous variable boundary profile that defines the depth of a harder layer over the teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: GKN SINTER METALS, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy E. Geiman
  • Patent number: 8251828
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket end, the pocket end having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket end with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, each of the plurality of ball pockets comprising a portion of the pocket having a conformity ratio C greater than about 1.04.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Keith A. Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 8246475
    Abstract: A boot assembly and constant velocity joint utilizing the boot assembly is provided. The constant velocity joint and boot assembly includes a first shaft, the first shaft having an axle portion extending between a first end and a second end, at least one of the first end and the second end having an enlarged joint portion. It also includes a hollow boot disposed on the first shaft having a joint end and a shaft end, the joint end disposed proximate the enlarged joint portion and the shaft end disposed proximate the axle portion. The constant velocity joint also includes a spacer, the spacer having an inner surface disposed on the axle portion and an outer surface having the shaft end of the boot disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Keith A. Kozlowski, Brian J. Kleinfeld, Matthew A. Berube
  • Patent number: 8246476
    Abstract: A universal joint composed of a swivel member, a driven socket, and at least one mediator. The swivel member includes a swivel body and a first driving portion. The driven socket includes a concavity, a second driving portion, and an annular recess formed at the concavity. A retaining ring is mounted in the annular recess. The swivel body is received in the concavity. The swivel body includes at least one cavity formed on a surface thereof. The driven socket includes at least one recession, which can correspond to the at least one cavity when the swivel body is located in the concavity. The at least one mediator interacts with the recession and the cavity and is located between the swivel body and the driven socket. Therefore, the operation of the universal joint can be smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Yuan Li Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 8235829
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft, the first shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket portion, the pocket portion having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets and a distal end; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket portion with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, the distal end of the pocket portion having a convex surface configured to provide a predetermined a range of angular movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Keith A. Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 8186641
    Abstract: A shaft retaining bracket assembly (100) and a method (400) of assembling the same is disclosed. A bracket assembly (100) may include an isolator (104) that receives a shaft and absorbs vibrations transmitted therethrough, and an integrally formed bracket (102). The bracket (102) may include a base portion (108) having at least one attachment hole (110) for securing the bracket (102) to a structural member, and a hoop (112) integrally formed with the base portion (108). The hoop (112) receives the isolator (104) such that the isolator (104) and the shaft are generally concentric about an axis (A) of the hoop (112). The bracket (102) further includes at least one retention flange (120) formed in the hoop, the retention flange (120) being configured to retain the isolator (104) within the hoop (112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Michael Valovick, Steven L. Leffingwell, Crittenden A. Bittick, Ashfaq Saeed
  • Patent number: 8100773
    Abstract: A joint whose number of parts is reduced and whose production process is simplified. The joint has spherical bodies (29a-29d), a circular cylindrical inner hub (20) in which hemispherical receiving sections (22a-22d) for receiving the spherical bodies (29a-29d) are formed in curved surfaces, and an outer hub (10) that has a receiving section (17) for receiving the inner hub (20) and also has longitudinal grooves (12a-12d) integrally formed with the receiving section (17) and in which the spherical bodies (29a-29d) received in the receiving sections (22a-22d) are received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: ASA Electronics Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yukihiro Asa
  • Publication number: 20120004044
    Abstract: A shaft assembly that includes a propshaft member and a constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint has an outer race, which is coupled for rotation with the propshaft member, an inner race, a plurality of bearing balls disposed between the outer and inner races to transmit rotary power therebetween, a shaft member coupled for rotation with the inner race, and a boot assembly that is sealingly engaged to the outer race and the shaft member. The shaft member defines a coupling portion that extends from the boot assembly. A method for coupling a shaft member to a driveline component is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Conger, Arvind Srinivasan, Richard L. Seidel
  • Publication number: 20110269556
    Abstract: Provided is an outer joint member for a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, the outer joint member contributing to reduction of the number of man-hours through reduction of the number of post processes after a forging process, and to an increase in yield, and reduction of manufacturing cost. The outer joint member for a fixed type constant velocity universal joint includes a cup section (16) and a shaft section (18) extending in an axial direction from a bottom portion of the cup section (16). The outer joint member is made of machine-structural carbon steel. The following portions of the outer joint member are finished by cold forging: track grooves (12); radially inner spherical-surface portions (14a); a cup-inlet chamfer (12b); track chamfers (12c); track-inlet chamfers (12a); a part except for a boot fixing portion (19) on a radially outer surface of the cup section (16); and a center hole (13) at an end surface (18a) of the shaft section (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Masazumi Kobayashi, Kisao Yamazaki, Minoru Ishijima
  • Publication number: 20110256938
    Abstract: A universal joint composed of a swivel member, a driven socket, and at least one mediator. The swivel member includes a swivel body and a first driving portion. The driven socket includes a concavity, a second driving portion, and an annular recess formed at the concavity. A retaining ring is mounted in the annular recess. The swivel body is received in the concavity. The swivel body includes at least one cavity formed on a surface thereof. The driven socket includes at least one recession, which can correspond to the at least one cavity when the swivel body is located in the concavity. The at least one mediator interacts with the recession and the cavity and is located between the swivel body and the driven socket. Therefore, the operation of the universal joint can be smooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: YUAN LI HSING INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chia-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 8033920
    Abstract: A flexible, dual ball joint assembly used for increasing the wear life of a mud motor. The ball joint assembly includes an drive shaft with a drive shaft hollow ball joint. An outer circumference of the hollow ball joint includes a plurality of equally spaced apart drive shaft ball bearings. An inner circumference, inside the hollow ball joint, includes a plurality of equally spaced apart drive shaft grooves. Also, the ball joint assembly includes an annular shaped torque coupler with a torque coupler ball joint. An outer circumference of the torque coupler ball joint includes a plurality of equally spaced apart torque coupler ball bearings. The torque coupler ball bearings are received in the drive shaft grooves for providing lateral movement between the drive shaft and the torque coupler. An outer circumference of the torque coupler next to the torque coupler ball joint includes a plurality of torque coupler lobes equally spaced apart therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Todd Benson
  • Publication number: 20110118036
    Abstract: Provided is an inner joint member for a constant velocity universal joint, which is capable of extending a life of a cutting tool and achieving reduction in manufacturing cost. The inner joint member for a constant velocity universal joint is incorporated in an outer joint member (3) and has multiple ball track grooves (5) which are formed in an outer diameter surface (4) thereof. A spherical surface roughness in a range extending from an axial center (15) of the outer diameter surface (4) to an end (A) side of the outer diameter surface (4) which corresponds to an opening side of the outer joint member (3) is larger than a spherical surface roughness in a range extending from the axial center (15) of the outer diameter surface (4) to an end (B) side of the outer diameter surface (4) which corresponds to an inner side of the outer joint member (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Hamaguchi, Yasunori Hamaguchi, Yumiko Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20110077090
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket end, the pocket end having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket end with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, each of the plurality of ball pockets comprising a portion of the pocket having a conformity ratio C greater than about 1.04.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Keith A. Kozlowski
  • Publication number: 20110059803
    Abstract: A boot assembly and constant velocity joint utilizing the boot assembly is provided. The constant velocity joint and boot assembly includes a first shaft, the first shaft having an axle portion extending between a first end and a second end, at least one of the first end and the second end having an enlarged joint portion. It also includes a hollow boot disposed on the first shaft having a joint end and a shaft end, the joint end disposed proximate the enlarged joint portion and the shaft end disposed proximate the axle portion. The constant velocity joint also includes a spacer, the spacer having an inner surface disposed on the axle portion and an outer surface having the shaft end of the boot disposed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith A. Kozlowski, Brian J. Kleinfeld, Matthew A. Berube
  • Publication number: 20110059802
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft, the first shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket portion, the pocket portion having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets and a distal end; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket portion with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, the distal end of the pocket portion having a convex surface configured to provide a predetermined a range of angular movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Keith A. Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 7887423
    Abstract: A universal joint includes an outer member defining an interior opening and a plurality of grooves within the opening extending along a longitudinal axis. An inner member is disposed within the opening and includes a plurality of pockets opposing the grooves. A drive ball is disposed within each pocket and engages the opposing groove. Each of the pockets and each of the grooves opposing the pockets include a central axis passing through a ball center of the drive balls. The drive balls are supported by the pockets and define a pocket contact angle. The drive balls are also supported by the grooves and define a groove contact angle. The pocket contact angle is less than the groove contact angle to urge the drive balls upward against the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventors: Eduardo Mondragon, Keith A. Kozlowski
  • Publication number: 20100227695
    Abstract: An inner ring of a constant velocity universal joint includes ball grooves formed in an outer surface at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction. Portions of side walls of each of the ball grooves that form edge lines with the outer surface are formed with a chamfer along the entire length of the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20100167827
    Abstract: An outer joint member (10) and an inner joint member (40) each have a shaft portion (18 and 46) having a male spline formed thereon, and shaft clamps (60) are press-fitted onto the respective shaft portions (18 and 46). Each of the shaft clamps (60) includes: a connection hole (66) that has a female spline formed therein, extends from a first axial end partway toward a second axial end, and has no quench-hardened layer; and a cylindrical portion (64) that has no female spline formed therein and extends from the second axial end partway toward the first axial end. The shaft portions (18 and 46) each have a quench-hardened layer on the outer circumference thereof. The inner diameter of the connection hole (64) at a portion having no female spline formed therein is less than the outer diameters of the shaft portions (18 and 46).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Kenta Yamazaki, Minoru Ishijima
  • Patent number: 7582021
    Abstract: A longitudinal shaft for use in particular in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive motor vehicles includes a gearbox-side articulation, a differential-side articulation, as well as a central articulation through which a gearbox-side section is integrally linked in rotation to a differential-side section of the longitudinal shaft. To reduce the centrifugal forces occurring at the longitudinal shaft 1 in operation, the gearbox-side articulation and the differential-side articulation have each an inner hub designed to connect the longitudinal shaft integrally in rotation respectively to a gearbox output shaft and to a differential input shaft, the longitudinal shaft being centered on the gearbox output shaft and the differential input shaft by interlocking through the inner hubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Jacob
  • Publication number: 20090156319
    Abstract: A universal joint includes an outer member defining an interior opening and a plurality of grooves within the opening extending along a longitudinal axis. An inner member is disposed within the opening and includes a plurality of pockets opposing the grooves. A drive ball is disposed within each pocket and engages the opposing groove. Each of the pockets and each of the grooves opposing the pockets include a central axis passing through a ball center of the drive balls. The drive balls are supported by the pockets and define a pocket contact angle. The drive balls are also supported by the grooves and define a groove contact angle. The pocket contact angle is less than the groove contact angle to urge the drive balls upward against the grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Eduardo Mondragon, Keith A. Kozlowski
  • Publication number: 20090054164
    Abstract: A disclosed constant velocity joint includes an outer ring including an annular space with an open end, plural outer grooves axially extending in an outer wall of the annular space and being equally spaced from each other in a circumferential direction, and plural inner grooves axially extending in an inner wall of the annular space and facing the respective outer grooves; and a cage configured to hold balls that slide along the inner walls and the outer walls. The outer ring and/or the cage is made of a synthetic resin. A drive force of one of the cage and the outer ring is transmitted to the other one of the cage and the outer ring when part of the cage is inserted in the annular space and the balls held by the cage are engaged in the inner grooves and the outer grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Junya Takigawa, Yoshimi Asayama
  • Publication number: 20080248884
    Abstract: The pocket 4a of the retainer 4 comprises a pair of axial walls 4a1 opposed in the axial direction of the retainer 4, a pair of circumferential walls 4a2 opposed in the circumferential direction, and corner round sections 4a3 connecting the axial wall 4a1 and the circumferential wall 4a2. The ratio (R/d) of the radius of curvature R of the corner round section 4a3 to the diameter d of the torque transmission ball 3 is set in a range of 0.45?R/d?0.62. Also, the circumferential wall 4a2 and the corner round sections 4a3 are drawn in a single arc with the radius of curvature R. Furthermore, as to the axial walls 4a1, grinding, cutting by quenched steel, or the like is carried out after the heat treatment (carburizing and quenching) of the retainer 4 in order to reduce variations in a processing margin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Minoru Ishijima, Kenta Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6685571
    Abstract: My universal joint will use the outer and inner members to hold the balls in alignment. The male or female part would hold the ball in a half spherical recess and the other component would have a race groove to allow movement. It will also have means of attachment on each end with both ends being integral components of the final product. The male and female components could be made out of a pipe, tube, bar or cylinder of any length desired. The male component could consist of the unit holding 3 balls. This method would turn the friction wear of a rubbing surface into a rolling movement that would allow more speed of motion and less vibration. If necessary, in order to provide more bearing surface, increase torque, speed and reduce vibrations, it would be possible to use several paired ball tracks and ball seats. The center ball would impart rolling movement to all balls in contact with the ball race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Fred Edmund Smith
  • Publication number: 20030171153
    Abstract: An assembly 10 for supporting a wheel of a motor vehicle and for drivingly connecting the wheel to a driveshaft, comprising a wheel carrier 11 which is attachable to the motor vehicle and is provided with an annular part 15 and a plurality of steering arms 16; a wheel hub 41 which is rotatably supported in the annular part 15 of the wheel carrier 11 and is provided with a flange 46 for bolting on the wheel; a rolling contact bearing 51 with two rows of rolling contact members for supporting the wheel hub 41 in the wheel carrier 11, which rolling contact bearing 51 is insertable into the annular part 15 of the wheel carrier 11; and a constant velocity joint 71 which comprises an outer joint part 72 removably connectable to the wheel hub 41, and an inner joint part connectable to the driveshaft, wherein the connection between the wheel hub 41 and the outer joint part 72 is provided by inter-engaging toothings, wherein at the wheel carrier 111, in the annular part 151, there is provided a broken-out portion 271,
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Heinzwilli Fuchs
  • Patent number: 6306044
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal ball joint of the fixed joint type, having an outer joint part with curved outer ball tracks extending longitudinally inside, having an inner joint part with curved inner ball tracks extending longitudinally outside, having a plurality of torque transmitting balls which are each guided in outer and inner ball tracks associated with one another, having a ball cage with a plurality of cage windows respectively receiving the balls, wherein the tangential planes at the points of contact of the balls with the outer and inner ball tracks—which points of contact are required for torque transmitting purposes—define a spatial control angle 2K and wherein the superposition of the momentary local relative speeds between the balls and the outer and the inner ball tracks in the points of contact defines the rolling error &Dgr;v, with the tracks being designed in such a way that when the joint is articulated, mininum control angles K coincide with regions of minimum rolling errors
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Lobro GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Schwärzler
  • Patent number: 6267683
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly having a constant velocity joint (1) and a receiving part (16). The constant velocity joint (1) comprises an outer part (2), an inner part (7), a cage (12) and balls (13). The outer part (2), on its outer face, is provided with a centering face (14) by means of which the outer part (2) is centrically received in a centering bore (17) of a receiving part (16). The flange (5) is tensioned against a contact face of the receiving part (16) by fixing bolts (20). The outer part (2) is produced from plate metal by a non-chip producing forming operation. Because of the type of arrangement, it can be correspondingly lighter in weight than a solid part incorporated for the transmission of the same amount of torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Lobro GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Jacob
  • Patent number: 6224490
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes an outer race (1) having a spherical inner surface (2) with track grooves (3) each extending in an axial direction thereof, an inner race having a spherical outer surface (5) formed with track grooves (6) equal in number to the number of the track grooves (3) in the outer race (1), a plurality of torque transmitting balls (7) sandwiched between the inner race (4) and the outer race (1) and accommodated in part in the track grooves (6) in the inner race (4) and in part in the track grooves (3) in the outer race (1), and a cage (8) for retaining the torque transmitting balls (7) while being guided by and between the spherical inner surface (2) of the outer race (1) and the spherical outer surface (5) of the inner race (4). This constant velocity joint of the structure described above is featured in that at least the track grooves (3) in the outer race (1) and an entry chamfer (11) of the outer race (1) are formed by a plastic working process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Michio Iihara, Yasushi Takahara, Masami Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6206785
    Abstract: A non-stroking constant velocity universal joint including an inner joint member, an outer joint member, and a plurality of torque transferring bearing spheres in facing pairs of ball grooves in the inner and outer joint members. The bearing spheres are maintained in a common plane bisecting the angle of articulation between the inner and outer joint members by a cage consisting of a pair of hollow hemispherical segments (“hemi-segments”) clamped radially against each other by the outer joint member. Interlocking lugs and notches on the hemi-segments prevent relative linear translation therebetween. The hemi-segments are made from flat blanks which are perforated for the cage windows and then plastically deformed to the shape of the hemi-segments. The cage is assembled around the inner joint member and may, therefore, have dimensions which reduce unit stresses in the cage and preclude assembly of the inner joint member into the cage through a circular open end of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Mark Thomas
  • Patent number: 6089984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a constant velocity fixed joint having an outer part 1 carrying a supporting element 9. An inner part 11 has a hollow spherical control face 17. A cage 18 is guided on the inner part 11 and holds balls 21 which, transmit torque between the inner part 11 and the outer part 1 by engaging outer running grooves 5 in the outer part 1 and inner running grooves 14 in the inner part 11. A control element 22 has a spherical contact face 23 which supports the inner part 11 in that the latter is supported on the contact face 23 by means of the control face 17. Furthermore, the control element 22 is supported by a holding face 25 against a supporting face 10 of the supporting element 9 for the purpose of centering the inner part 11 along the longitudinal axis 2 of the outer part on the joint articulation center 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: GKN Lobro GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Jacob
  • Patent number: 5713797
    Abstract: The Universal Joint includes a tripod that is to be fixed to the first shaft and a female element that is to be fixed to a second shaft. The tripod has a plurality of arms to engage with the plurality of the tracks of the female element. Two of the tracks are disposed on respective sides of each of the arms of the tripod. Intermediate members are interposed between each one of the arms and the two of the plurality of tracks corresponding thereto. For each one of the arms, the two tracks corresponding thereto include a first track formed of a first slot and a second track. Each one of the arms has a second slot that forms an angle with the first slot of the first track and a first spherical surface. The intermediate members include a first intermediate member that is a ball interacting with the first slot and the second slot, and a second intermediate member interacting with the second track and having a second spherical surface that interacts with the first spherical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: Pierre Louis Guimbretiere
  • Patent number: 5704840
    Abstract: A universal joint for small articulation angles has parallel, longitudinally extending tracks in the inner joint part and in the outer joint part and axially freely movable torque transmitting balls held in an uncontrolled way in the tracks. The tracks in the two joint parts include a constant cross-section adapted substantially, without a clearance, to the balls. The rolling movement of the balls is limited by axial stops in one of the joint members. The inner joint part includes outer spherical surface parts which are interrupted by the tracks. The spherical surface parts act as sliding faces. The outer joint part includes inner surface parts which are interrupted by the tracks and which act as guiding faces. When the joint is articulated, the surface parts which act as guiding faces, supportingly act on the surface parts acting as sliding faces around at least one fulcrum positioned on the longitudinal axis of the outer joint part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Lohr & Bromkamp GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Eschbach, Peter Schwarzler, Hans-Heinrich Welschof
  • Patent number: 5582546
    Abstract: A propeller shaft for motor vehicles, having an intermediate joint provided in the form of an axially movable universal ball joint and consisting of at least an outer joint part with longitudinally extending first ball tracks, an inner joint part with longitudinally extending second ball tracks and torque transmitting balls guided in radially opposed first and second ball tracks, with the outer joint part being firmly connected to a tubular shaft and with the inner joint part being connected to a shaft journal, and with the inner diameter of the outer joint part or of the adjoining tubular shaft in the region adjoining the free space assumed by the inner joint part in operation during plunging movements in the direction of the tubular shaft being smaller than the outer diameter of the inner joint part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Lohr & Bromkamp GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Heinrich Welschof
  • Patent number: 5267905
    Abstract: A Sealed Downhole Motor Drive Shaft Universal Joint Assembly consisting of a housing with an interior and an exterior surface. The interior has an end wall and side walls. The end wall has an elongate projection with a concave terminus. The side walls have a plurality of slots. A shaft is provided having an exterior surface and opposed ends. Each of the ends has a central cavity with a substantially concave end wall. The exterior surface of the drive shaft has a plurality of annularly spaced pockets adjacent each end. The pockets are in substantial alignment with the end wall of the central cavity. Each end of the drive shaft is telescopically received within one of the housings. A thrust ball is positioned between the concave terminus of the elongate projection of the housing and the concave end wall of the central cavity of the shaft thereby transmitting thrust loads between the housing and the shaft while permitting omni-directional relative movement of the housing and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventors: Douglas Wenzel, Robert Wenzel, William Wenzel