Abstract: A rotary ball joint, especially for angularly movable driveshafts for motor vehicles, has an outer joint member (11) with ball tracks (18) uniformly distributed on its inner circumference and an inner joint member (12) non-rotatingly connected to the outer joint member (11). The inner joint member (12) includes ball sockets (13) which correspond to the ball tracks of the outer joint members (11). The ball sockets comprise spherical inner faces and, via the balls (14) supported therein, establish a form-fitting connection between the inner joint member (12) and the outer joint member (11). A plurality of bearing balls (15) are positioned in the sockets to provide a bearing surface for the force-transmitting balls (14). In the inner joint member, the force-transmitting balls (14) are guided in the ball sockets (13) and in the outer joint member they are guided in the ball tracks (18).

Abstract: A quick disconnect constant velocity universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members, having a hollow pintle-type inner joint member fixed to one of the rotative members, an outer member fixed to the other of the rotative members, and a plurality of roller balls received in apertures provided in the inner joint member. The roller balls engage grooves provided in the outer member. A resiliently biased plunger disposed in the hollow inner joint member has an inclined surface which engages the roller balls and displaces them radially into the grooves provided in the outer joint member. A manually displaceable plunger actuator provides for the manual displacement of the plunger disengaging the roller balls from the inclined surface and permitting the roller balls to move inwardly in a radial direction, and the separation of the inner joint member from the outer joint member.

Abstract: A ball-type universal joint provides three concentric, relatively movable spherical elements that resists both compressive and extensive forces. An outer shell carries a first shaft and defines a medial chamber comprising more than half a hemisphere with a releasably fastenable outer portion to allow access. A medial shell carried in the outer shell chamber defines a spherical chamber comprising more than half a hemisphere with a releasably fastenable outer portion to allow access. An inner spherical ball carries a second shaft and is carried within the chamber defined in the medial shell. A plurality of ball bearings carried in indentations in the outer surface of the medial shell communicate with elongate slots defined in the interior surface of the outer shell to allow angulated motion of the outer and medial shells but prevent rotary motion.

Abstract: A rotor adapter for connection between a drive shaft having eccentric motion and a driven shaft having circular motion within a downhole mud motor. The rotor adapter has two symmetrical ends on either end of a rotor adapter shaft. Each end includes a coupler defining a socket for receiving one end of the rotor adapter shaft. A thrust ball is located between the rotor adapter shaft and the coupler and seated in pockets that have radii larger than the thrust ball and depths shallower than the radius of the thrust ball. Circumferentially spaced pockets around the rotor adapter shaft near the end of the shaft fit steel balls which protrude into complementary pockets on the coupler. The coupler pockets are cylindrical and plugged from the outside with plugs. The plugs are secured in place with the steel balls in the complementary pockets. The pockets on the rotor adapter shaft are elongated in the axial direction of the rotor adapter shaft to allow tilting of the rotor adapter shaft.

Abstract: A universal joint includes an inside part provided integrally with a first shaft and having three first holding portions disposed spacedly apart circumferentially at equal intervals, an outside part provided integrally with a second shaft and having three second holding portions, each second holding portion having a recess extending axially to receive the first holding portion and a rolling body disposed in each recess so as to be in contact with the first and second holding portions. One of the first and second holding portions in contact with the rolling body has a concave surface while the other of the first and second holding portions in contact with the rolling body has a plane.

Abstract: A quick disconnect constant velocity universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members, such quick disconnect univeral joint including a pintle-type inner joint member fixed to one of the rotative members and an outer member fixed to the other of the rotative members, with a plurality of roller balls received in apertures in the inner joint member, and having the roller balls engaged in grooves in the outer joint member, with a spherical portion of at least one of each of the roller balls being in contact with a spherical portion of at least one of the other roller balls in a manner whereby the roller balls provide mutual support for each other inwardly of the inner joint member towards the center of the joint. An externally actuated plunger allows the roller balls to be displaced which permits the inner joint member to be separated from the outer joint member.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members, including an outer race member with an axial annular recess therethrough, the annular recess in the outer race member being enlarged at one end to accommodate an inner race member that has a bulbous end with a plurality of radially aligned circumferentially spaced bores positioned in the bulbous end. The inner race member also has an axially positioned bore in the bulbous end. A pin is positioned in the bore within the bulbous end and a plurality of spherical balls are positioned in the bores so that each spherical ball rests against the outer surface of the pin. The inner race member and the spherical balls telescope into the outer race member and are restrained from axial separation by a restraining ring seated in the outer race member.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members, such universal joint including a pintle-type inner joint member fixed to one of the rotative members and an outer member fixed to the other of the rotative members, with a plurality of roller balls received in apertures in the inner joint member, and having the roller balls engaged in grooves in the outer joint member, with a spherical portion of at least one of each of the roller balls being in contact with a spherical portion of at least one of the other roller balls in a manner whereby the roller balls provide mutual support for each other inwardly of the inner joint member towards the center of the joint. A quick disconnect version of the invention is also shown.

Abstract: A universal joint of the type utilizing spherical roller balls to transmit torque or power between an inner joint member and an outer joint member. The balls roll in a recess in the inner joint member and each ball rolls in a rectilinear recess in the outer joint member, with such rolling action permitting and resulting from the articulation of the joint. Each recess in the outer joint member has at least a major portion that has a radial extent, from the central axis of the joint, that follows a curvilinear configuration to provide a maximum radial extent when the inner and outer joint members are aligned, through a gradually reducing radial extent as the joint is articulated, in order to provide a substantial constant depth of penetration of each ball into its outer joint member recess throughout the range of articulation of the joint.

Abstract: A ball type universal joint construction where a ball member is rotatably received in a housing and a bearing structure interposed therebetween in a manner which limits the relative rotational degrees of freedom. The ball member has a spherical surface portion which includes axially extending bearing receiving slots and the housing has a cavity spherical surface portion which includes bearing receiving recesses in registry with the receiving slots. Ball type bearings disposed partially within the recesses and partially within the slots limit movement between the ball member and the housing to articulated movement relative to each other. The housing also includes an access opening at one end face having an enlargement through which the ball member can be passed when rotated 90 degrees to its nominal, functioning position. This allows the ball member to be inserted into the housing through the enlargement while at the same time accommodating passage of the bearings into the housing recesses.

Abstract: A universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members including an inner joint member for connection to one of the rotative members and an outer joint member for connection to the inner joint member and to the other of the rotative members. The inner joint member swivels within the outer joint member by virtue of contacting inner and outer spherical surface portions on the outer and inner joint members, respectively. Torque is transmitted between the inner and outer joint members by a plurality of roller balls which extend between a recess in the inner joint member and a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart rectilinear recesses in the outer joint member which are disposed between the spherical inner surface portions on the outer joint member.

Abstract: An injection molded universal joint (10) includes a central retaining member (40) captured between spherical balls (30, 32, 34, 36) seated in bores (22, 24, and 26, 28) located in diametrically opposed arms (14, 16, and 18, 20) of respective shaft members (11, 12). The spherical balls are each pressed through an associated bore until a portion of the ball extends radially inwardly of the arm, and then maintained in position by a plastic material (80) insert molded into and retained in the bore. The insert molded plastic material (80) retains each of the spherical balls in place and permits the central retaining member (40) to be accurately positioned and with a predetermined preload applied to the universal joint (10).

Abstract: A homokinetic coupling which has a housing or outer ring with a cavity limited by a spherical surface and open toward the outside at least one edge. An inner ring, having an outer spherical surface with axially extending grooves is placed within this cavity. A set of balls flattened at one edge is accommodated at that edge in the grooves. The bottoms of the grooves form a rolling surface along which the balls are capable of moving by the flattened edge. At the other edge the balls are accommodated, rotating by the spherical edge in a recess forming a part of the housing. The housing has a plurality of rotating ball-shaped elements with a recess in each element, in which recess the spherical edge of the respective ball is partially accommodated.

Abstract: In an angularly movable universal joint, an inner joint member fits into a hollow space within an outer joint member. The surface of the outer joint member within the hollow space contains uniformly circumferentially spaced axially extending grooves. Radially directed openings are located in the inner joint member facing the grooves. At least partly spherically shaped rolling members are placed in the openings and the grooves for transferring torque between the two parts of the universal joint. Adjacent rolling members are arranged so that they contact one another along spherically shaped surfaces. Balls can be used as the rolling members.

Abstract: A ball type universal joint construction where a ball member is rotatably received in a housing and a bearing structure interposed therebetween in a manner which limits the relative rotational degrees of freedom. The ball member has a spherical surface portion which includes axially extending bearing receiving slots and the housing has a cavity spherical surface portion which includes bearing receiving recesses in registry with the receiving slots. Ball type bearings disposed partially within the recesses and partially within the slots limit movement between the ball member and housing to articulated movement relative to each other. The housing also includes an access opening at one end face having an enlargement through which the ball member can be passed when rotated 90 degrees to its nominal, functioning position. This allows the ball member to be inserted into the housing through the enlargement while at the same time accommodating passage of the bearings into the housing recesses.

Abstract: A universal joint having an inner joint member and an outer joint member and torque transmitting balls interposed therebetween is formed with recesses which receive the balls in one of the joint members, this one joint member being provided with at least one elastic ring on which the balls are supported.

Abstract: The hub assembly comprises a wheel flange, a transmission joint and a rolling bearing. The confronting radial surfaces of the flange and the inner race of the bearing are separated throughout their height by a gap and consequently do not bear against each other. The connection between these two elements is achieved by means of a circumferential weld. By means of such an arrangement, there is avoided a harmful heating of the rolling bearing and of the joint by transmission of heat from the wheel flange.

Abstract: In an angularly movable universal joint, a ring of balls extends around the axis of rotation of the joint with the balls being radially movably supported in bores in the inner joint member and guided within grooves in the outer joint member. Adjacent balls are in contact with one another through intercommunicating openings between adjacent bores. The area of the material of the inner joint member in a plane extending perpendicularly of the axis of rotation and including the centers of the balls is greater than zero but less than the maximum area of the cross section remaining when the rectangular area of the bores plus areas defined between the inner ends of the rectangular areas of the bores and a circular arc having a radius of the bores is removed.

Abstract: A universal joint with an inner and outer joint member connected in torque transmitting relationship by roller members which are supported in radially extending openings in the inner joint member, the inner joint member being in torque transmitting engagement with a shaft member extending therethrough, the shaft member being formed with recesses having the roller members engaged therein to hold the shaft member and the inner joint member axially fixed relative to each other.