Abstract: A propeller shaft (PS) has a balance piece (9) on the outer peripheral side of a stub shaft body section (31) of a stub shaft (3), which is axially separated from both spline sections (25, 34), which are spline fitting sections. Due to this configuration, changes in the gap in both spline sections (25, 34) when the balance piece (9) is welded are minimized, and the occurrence of new rotational imbalance can be minimized. As a result, rotational imbalance in the propeller shaft (PS) due to the balance piece (9) can be corrected appropriately and easily.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting assembly with a spherical bearing for mounting a rocket engine and a rocket having such mounting assembly. The spherical bearing includes a spherical bearing base, a spherical retaining ring and a suspension link with a spherical end arranged in a space between the spherical bearing base and the spherical retaining ring. The spherical bearing base is part of an injector head of the rocket engine or is part of a fuel tank, the parts having a spherical shape.

Abstract: A spline assembly includes a shaft having an outer surface with a shaft spline extending along the outer surface. The spline assembly may further include a hub having an inner surface with a hub spline extending along the inner surface and configured to mate with the shaft spline of the shaft. The spline assembly may further include a spline engagement aid configured to be coupled to the shaft and having an aid spline configured to engage with the hub spline to facilitate alignment of the shaft spline relative to the hub spline.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint is assembled as a crown ball meshed within a housing socket for rotation about respective rotational axes. The outside diameter of the crown ball is greater than the inside diameter of the socket. A plurality of channels, equally spaced around the crown ball perimeter are cut into the crown ball surface generally along or parallel with the crown ball drive axis. An arcuate cup is cut into each crown ball channel to confine a respective torque transfer element. A number, corresponding to the number of crown ball channels, of partial cylinder channels are cut into the inside surface of the housing socket. One of opposite side walls for each housing channel is given an arcuate radius corresponding to that of the force transfer elements. Ridges between adjacent crown ball channels mesh with ridges between adjacent housing socket channels.

Abstract: A welding method for an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint includes constructing a cup section having track grooves, which engage with torque transmitting elements, formed along an inner periphery thereof and a shaft section that is formed on a bottom portion of the cup section by two or more separate members, joining a cup member forming the cup section and a shaft member forming the shaft section, and melt-welding end portions of the cup member and the shaft member. The cup member and the shaft member are shaped so that a sealed hollow cavity portion is formed when the end portions of the cup member and the shaft member are brought into abutment against each other, the melt-welding of the end portions being performed when the sealed hollow cavity portion is under atmospheric pressure or lower.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint comprises a joint ball which is enclosed and rotationally supported by a ball socket. The ball socket has two ball socket parts that move relative to one another in an axial direction. The ball socket parts acts on different sides of the joint ball that are opposite one another in the axial direction. A controllable adjusting device bias the two ball socket parts, relative to one another in the axial direction, so that pressure exerted on the joint ball by the twp ball socket parts can be varied. At least a first of the ball socket parts comprises a main body and at least one bearing section, which is elastically connected to the main body and by which the first ball socket part rests against the joint ball.

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.

Abstract: A constant-velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member; an inner joint member arranged in an inside of the outer joint member; and torque transmitting members. At least one of the outer joint member and the inner joint member comprises track grooves that are engaged with rolling surfaces of the torque transmitting members. At least one of the components of the constant-velocity universal joint is formed of a metal sintered compact. The metal sintered compact has a relative density of 80% or more and less than 100%. The metal sintered compact comprises a hardened layer formed on a surface thereof through heat treatment. Among the components each formed of the metal sintered compact, a component having a ring shape is subjected to a cold rolling process.

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.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint for a drive system includes: an outer joint member and an inner joint member, each having a plurality of ball grooves, the ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a first skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, and a second group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a second skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, the second skew angle less than the first skew angle. In addition to the differentiated skew angles, the contact angles of the balls in the first and second group of grooves may also be differentiated.

Abstract: A quality control method for a constant velocity universal joint 13 includes a step of attaching an IC tag 9 to the constant velocity universal joint 13, a step of recording information in the IC tag 9 about the constant velocity universal joint 13, a utilizing step for reading the information recorded in the IC tag 9 at any arbitrarily chosen time. The IC tag 9 is attached to one of elements 2 such as an outer race 14, an inner race 15, an intermediate shaft 12 and boots 18, all forming respective parts of the constant velocity universal joint 13. This IC tag 9 is recorded with information on, for example, the manufacturing step, the identification number, the date of manufacture and/or the place of manufacture with respect to the elements 2 and the constant velocity universal joint 13.

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).

Abstract: Provided is a fixed type constant velocity universal joint capable of securing a ball groove depth larger in comparison with that of conventional products and enhancing performance without an increase in a “force of pushing out balls in an axial direction”, the force having an influence on joint efficiency. A ratio (F/PCR) of an offset amount F to a length (PCR) of a segment connecting the center of each of the guide grooves (22, 25) and a center of each of balls (27) to each other ranges from 0.045 to 0.065. A ratio (?t/?) ranges from 0.045 to 0.

Abstract: A housing for a constant-velocity universal joint includes a cup having a cylindrical outer surface, a shank integral with the cup, and a rotation axis extending through the cup and the shank, the cup and the shank being spaced apart along the axis. A shoulder is interposed between the cup and the shank and a recess extends into the cup outer surface and is disposed adjacent to the shoulder.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint comprising an inner hub (1) and an outer hub (6) inside which tracks are disposed that are associated with each other in pairs. At least one ball is arranged in each track in order to transmit torque between the inner hub and the outer hub. The ball-and-socket joint further includes at least one diaphragm which seals the outer hub with respect to a joining element that can be connected in a torsion-proof manner to the inner hub. The outer hub is provided with a metallic interior element encompassing the tracks, a dampening element which embraces the interior element in at least some areas, and a cap that embraces the damping element in at least some areas in order to connect the outer hub to a driving part or a part to be driven. The damping element is made of a material having a modulus of elasticity lower than the modulus of elasticity of the metallic material of the interior element and/or the cap of the outer hub while being greater than the modulus of elasticity of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A sealing cover assembly for an articulating joint. The articulating joint includes a first rotational member and a second rotational member. The sealing cover assembly includes a first portion having a plurality of fastening portions. The fastening portions are coupled to the second rotational member for rotation therewith. The sealing cover assembly also includes a second portion adapted for connecting to the driveline and a plurality of damping members constructed of at least a first material and interconnecting the first portion to the second portion.

Abstract: To increase a torque transmission efficiency without involving significant modification of a structure of a joint.

Abstract: Provided is a fixed type constant velocity universal joint capable of securing smooth rotation and reducing a load on a cage even at a large operating angle and at a time of bearing large torque.

Abstract: Provided is a power transmission shaft in which concentration of both tensile stress and shear stress is mitigated to achieve an improvement in terms of fatigue strength of a power transmission shaft. A male spline section (Sm) is formed on an outer periphery of the power transmission shaft. On a valley section (21) of the male spline section (Sm), at an axially opposite end side portion thereof, there is provided a diameter-expanded section (21b) whose outer diameter dimension is gradually increased toward an axially opposite end. Rounded sections (21b1) having a circular arc cross-section are provided on both circumferential sides of the diameter-expanded section (21b). A radius of curvature of the rounded sections (21b1) is gradually increased toward the axially opposite end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light and compact slide-type constant velocity universal joint that can have a maximum operating angle of 30° or more through optimization of a ball contact angle relative to ball grooves, a ball contact ratio, and a cage offset amount.

Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls.

Abstract: It is arranged that in a fixed type constant velocity joint 1 having a plurality of torque transmitting ball tacks 30, the torsional angle at the input torque 0 Nm in a torque-torsional angle diagram be approximately 0. Further, the torsional rigidity in the vicinity of input torque 0 Nm in the torque-torsional angle diagram is placed in a range of 1.5 Nm/deg to 6 Nm/deg.

Abstract: A downhole motor universal joint assembly includes a female coupler which receives a male end of a drive shaft. The female coupler has a retainer that prevents separation of the male end and the female coupler. The retainer has a rearward extending skirt with flow passages to prevent solid material from accumulating in an exposed space between the female coupler and the male coupler. Also to prevent solid material from accumulating in this space, a shoulder formed on the male coupler diverts the flow of well fluid towards the outside of the joint. Thrust loads are transmitted between the male coupler and the female coupler by a thrust ball positioned between the male coupler and the female coupler. Torque loads are transmitted between the male coupler and the female coupler by a plurality of balls positioned in annularly spaced concave pockets on the exterior surface of the male coupler.

Abstract: A downhole mud motor (100) is disclosed which has an improved bearing mandrel (107) and a bearing stop (105) to transfer a larger percentage of the weight of a drill string to the bit. Also improved sealing systems (113) (114) (220) (515(706) for the transmission section and bearing section (116) (310) (117) (118) (119) prevent drilling mud from entering critical components. A piston stop is provided to prevent the piston from damaging other parts as the piston moves under pressure. Compensating pressure assembly (204) preferably including a disk (1408) is placed in the lower housing (108) to prevent pressure from building up in the bearing section (308). A combination of grooved ball seats (130) and circumferentially spaced balls (127) are provided in the transmission section (200) (207) to allow for greater flow of lubricant around the ball bearings.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes outer and inner races with mating part-spherical surfaces in which a single functional set of ball grooves are formed bearing a single torque-transmitting ball which is urged under an applied torque load toward one axial end of the joint. A retainer is carried by one of the two races or the shaft to which they are connected and acts on the ball to maintain the ball within the grooves during all angles of the joint.

Abstract: A compound driveshaft assembly includes a first driveshaft section that is connected through a front stub shaft to an inner race of a constant velocity universal joint. The constant velocity universal joint includes a unitary outer race and splined member having an outer race portion that is disposed about the inner race and a splined portion that extends axially rearwardly from the outer race portion. The unitary outer race and splined member is formed from a single piece of material, not from an assembly of two or more separate components. A plurality of balls provide a driving connection between the outer race portion of the unitary outer race and splined member and the inner race. The splined portion of the unitary outer race and splined member is connected for rotation with a rear stub shaft. To accomplish this, the rear stub shaft includes a splined portion that cooperates with the splined portion of the unitary outer race and splined member.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes outer and inner races with mating part-spherical surfaces in which a single functional set of ball grooves are formed bearing a single torque-transmitting ball which is urged under an applied torque load toward one axial end of the joint. A retainer is carried by one of the two races or the shafts to which they are connected and acts on the ball to maintain the ball within the grooves during all angles of the joint.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint assembly comprises outer and inner joint members having engaging contact surfaces which support the joint for articulation about a common center point. The joint members have ball grooves which diverge inwardly of the joint and whose inner and outer ball groove surfaces are axially offset with respect to the center point for urging the balls axially inwardly. A ball retainer is provided within the outer joint member. The ball retainer is spring-biased into engagement with an end of the inner joint member and pivots about the center point of the joint to engage and hold the balls within the ball grooves, maintaining them in a common plane.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint assembly comprises outer and inner joint members having engaging contact surfaces which support the joint for articulation about a common center point. The joint members have ball grooves which diverge inwardly of the joint and whose inner and outer ball groove surfaces are axially offset with respect to the center point for urging the balls axially inwardly. A ball retainer is provided within the outer joint member. The ball retainer is spring-biased into engagement with an end of the inner joint member and pivots about the center point of the joint to engage and hold the balls within the ball grooves, maintaining them in a common plane.

Abstract: A downhole mud motor is disclosed which has an improved bearing mandrel and a bearing stop to transfer a larger percentage of the weight of the drill string to the bit. Also improve sealing systems for the transmission section and bearing section prevent drilling mud from entering critical components. A piston stop is provided to prevent the piston from damaging any parts as the piston moves under pressure. A compensating pressure disk is placed in the lower housing to prevent pressure from building up in the bearing section. A grooved ball seat is provided in the transmission to allow for greater flow of lubricant around the ball bearings.

Abstract: A cage having a plurality of pockets, and a pair of end faces of each pocket formed in the cage that oppose each other in a circumferential direction of the cage are formed by surfaces cut after hardening and their surface hardness is reduced to a value lower than the surface hardness of a pair of side faces of each pocket that oppose each other in an axial direction of the cage to impart toughness to the bridge portions defined between the pockets and thus to increase the strength of the cage.

Abstract: It is made easy to design so that the sliding resistance, when subjected to an impact in the axial direction, is kept within a prescribed value. A constant velocity universal joint is provided, which has track grooves extending in the axial direction on the outer circumference surface of the inner ring, and formed in an intersecting arrangement, and which also embeds balls in these track grooves. In this constant velocity universal joint, the cross-sectional shape of the track groove of the inner ring is constituted by a Gothic arch portion which is a Gothic arch shape up to a location that exceeds a contact point where the groove angular contacts with the ball, and a straight-line portion which is formed continuously with the Gothic arch portion, between the location exceeding the contact point and a shoulder portion of the track groove, and which extends in the direction of the tangent line at the location that exceeds the contact point.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint having an inner race, an outer race provided along a periphery of the inner race, a cage sandwiched in between the inner race, the outer race, and balls. A crossing angle between a central axis of the inner race and a central axis of the outer race is bisected, and the balls are disposed within a bisection plane orthogonal to a plane including these two central axes. If a ratio tc/Da is set to rt, there is satisfied a relationship such as: (0.054/rt)·Da≦w≦(0.16/rt)·Da where Da is the major diameter of each ball, w is the circumference-directional width of each of the column members existing between the pockets adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction with respect to the cage, and tc is the diameter-directional thickness of each of the column members of the cage.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint having an inner race, an outer race provided along a periphery of the inner race, a cage sandwiched in between the inner race, the outer race, and balls. A crossing angle between a central axis of the inner race and a central axis of the outer race is bisected, and the balls are disposed within a bisection plane orthogonal to a plane including these two central axes. If a ratio tc/Da is set to rt, there is satisfied a relationship such as: (0.054/rt)·Da≦w≦(0.16/rt)·Da where Da is the major diameter of each ball, w is the circumference-directional width of each of the column members existing between the pockets adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction with respect to the cage, and tc is the diameter-directional thickness of each of the column members of the cage.

Abstract: A sealing assembly on a constant velocity universal joint which comprises an outer joint part with at least one aperture at an axial end, an inner joint part having a driveshaft connected thereto and being inserted into said outer joint part, and further comprising rolling members effective between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and serving the transmission of torque. The sealing assembly includes at least one sheet metal element having an annular face, which rests on an end face of the outer joint part, with the outer joint part and the sheet metal element being clamped to one another. A first face—the annular face or the end face—has a surface structure, with planar contact faces and grooves provided therein. The respective other face—the annular face or the end face—forms a planar counter face.

Abstract: A motor vehicle torque transfer case with integral constant velocity (CV) joint including a constant velocity (CV) bell, a chain sprocket, a speed sensor tone wheel, a chain sprocket splined to the chain sprocket spindle, two (2) support bearings, a single seal, a constant velocity (CV) inner race and cage assembly, a front output shaft, and a constant velocity (CV) boot. The constant velocity (CV) bell, the chain sprocket spindle and the speed tone wheel are preferably of one-piece construction. The constant velocity (CV) joint is preferably of a double offset plunging design, although other designs for the constant velocity (CV) joint could be utilized if desired. The spline connecting the chain sprocket to the chain sprocket spindle is preferably a slip fit and a drawn cup needle roller bearing is pressed into the torque transfer case housing.

Abstract: A constant velocity ball joint having an outer joint part with an inner cylindrical guiding face provided with first, longitudinally extending ball grooves; an inner joint part with a convex guiding face provided with second, longitudinally extended ball grooves; and torque transmitting balls which run in the first and second ball grooves. The balls are held by an annular ball cage in a ball center plane (E). The ball cage comprises an outer spherical control face whose greatest diameter is axially removed in a first direction by a distance (x) from the ball center plane (E) and wherein the ball cage comprises an inner concave control face whose greatest diameter is axially removed in a second direction by a distance (x) from the ball center plane (E). The inner control face in the ball cage forms end stops for delimiting an axial displacement path of the inner joint part relative to the ball cage.

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.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint provides an increase in maximum joint angle without a corresponding increase in joint package size. The joint has a modified radial groove profile which significantly decreases ball movement radially inward of the ball center radius so that the ball cage may be increased in diameter without a corresponding increase in ball center radius. The radial groove profile provides a required predetermined funnel angle for ball control at the ball centered point of contact but minimal change in distance from the joint center over most of the axially inner side of the grooves in the outer joint member. One embodiment provides a circular arc centered on the joint center axially inward of the ball center point of contact, a circular arc centered on a point offset from the joint center on the axially outer side of the ball centered point of contact and a straight line on the axially inner side of the ball centered point of contact joining and tangent to both arcs.

Abstract: A universal joint for small articulation angles, especially, an intermediate joint in a propeller shaft of motor vehicles, has an outer joint part (11) with longitudinally extending first ball tracks (14) which, between stop faces, include an axial length with an unchanged cross-section; an inner joint part (31, 51) with longitudinally extending second ball tracks (36, 56) whose axial length is greater than that of the first ball tracks (14); and torque transmitting balls (15) guided in the radially opposed first and second ball tracks (14, 36, 56). The outer joint part (11), at least in the axial region of the ball tracks (14) is produced as a formed plate metal part with an approximately constant wall thickness. The ball tracks (14), in the outer joint part (11), are formed by circumferentially distributed formations (13) axially closed at both ends by stops (16, 17).

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.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly (12) includes a coupling hub member (26) and a female coupling member (24). The female coupling member (24) includes a receptacle (28) at one end for receiving a pivot end (30) of the coupling hub member (26). The joint (12) includes a central bearing structure (34) interposed between the coupling hub member (26) and female coupling member (24) for enabling the coupling members to pivot up to a maximum pivot angle with respect to each other about a coupling axis. The universal joint (12) also includes a plurality of torque transmitting rollers (50), each received in a different roller slot and spaced apart about the periphery of the coupling hub member (26) near its pivot end (30). The roller slots are formed on both the coupling hub member (26) and female coupling member (24) and enable the torque transmitting rollers (50) to transmit torque between the coupling members while rolling with respect to the roller surfaces as the coupling members pivot about the coupling axis.

Abstract: A non-rotating and axially secured connection between an inner joint part of a constant velocity joint and a driveshaft has an inner joint part at its outer circumference with tracks for receiving torque-transmitting balls or tripod arms for sliding on rollers, as well as a central bore with inner teeth. The driveshaft is inserted into the bore and is provided with corresponding outer teeth. At the end of the inner joint part facing the shaft end, the bore, with its inner teeth, changes into a through-hole with a smaller diameter. At the end of the driveshaft in front of the outer teeth, a cylindrical portion is provided carrying an axial securing mechanism.

Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint, suitable for high speed low angle use, comprises outer and inner joint members (10,11) with engaging part-spherical surfaces (12,13) and arcuate ball-receiving grooves (14,15) diverging towards an end of the outer joint member closed by a closure member (17) with balls (16) held in the grooves by an element (31) and support member (32) which is pivoted on the closure member, and a spring (36) acting between the element (31) and support member (32) so that the balls are urged as far as possible into the grooves to take up clearances and maintain stability of the joint, particularly under no-torque conditions.

Abstract: A homokinetic coupling wherein the torque transmitting elements include spherical elements flattened at two mutually opposed points, the flattened elements being in contact with the side walls of open slots within the wall of the hollow spherical element of the inner coupling member.

Abstract: A homokinetic coupling for coupling two components in such a manner as to accomodate swiveling motion therebetween. One component includes a housing and the other component is a shaft with a spherical end portion received in the housing. The end portion includes grooves which open radially inwardly to a central hollow. The housing includes a corresponding number of grooves. Balls are disposed in the corresponding grooves of the end portion and housing. A helical coil tension spring is disposed concentrically within the hollow to provide a radially outward spring force on the balls.

Abstract: Power transmission apparatus especially suited for wheels of a vehicle, having an outer joint section coupled to a driving shaft and an inner joint section coupled to a driven shaft, with the driven shaft being rotatably mounted in a frame. An inner end of the frame is at least partially situated within a movement range of the outer joint section when the driving shaft and driven shaft are turned at an angle with respect to one another. At least one notch is also provided in the frame, into which the outer joint section at least partially penetrates when the turning angle between the driven shaft and driving shaft is sufficiently large.

Abstract: A universal joint wherein torque-transmitting balls are engaged between complementary grooves formed in an inner and outer joint member, with the balls being supported by a supporting element which is arranged in a jaw-like opening formed on one side of the universal joint through which the balls may be inserted in operative engagement within the joint. The invention is directed toward the curvature of the grooves which are arranged in such a way that a connecting line extending between the center of the radius of curvature of the grooves and the center of the torque-transmitting balls forms an angle relative to the central axis of rotation of the joint which is smaller than or equal to 85.degree., the angle being taken in accordance with the arcsine of the projection of the center of the radius of curvature of the grooves and the ball center onto a vertical plane extending perpendicularly relative to the axis of rotation of the joint, divided by the length of the radius of curvature.

Abstract: Constant speed joint assembly comprising an inner joint body member, an outer joint body member and at least two rolling elements arranged therebetween capable of transmitting a torque which engage in an inner arcuate groove in the inner joint body member curved in a longitudinal direction about a center of curvature lying on the axis of rotation of the inner joint body member and in an outer groove in the outer joint body member lying radially opposite the inner joint body member curved in a longitudinal direction about a center of curvature offset in a longitudinal direction on the axis of rotation of the outer joint body member in relation to the radius of curvature of the mating inner groove and control means maintaining the rolling elements in a plane bisecting the angle between the axes of rotation during angular movement of the axes of rotation of the two joint body members, said inner joint body member having a centric cavity, said control means comprising a control body mounted in said cavity having

Abstract: A universal joint comprises inner and outer drive members, two drive balls located in the complementary funnel-shaped ball grooves of the inner and outer drive members and a pilot member which engages for the two drive balls to locate the drive balls in cooperation with the complementary funnel-shaped grooves.The two drive balls are 180.degree. apart and the pilot member is hinge-connected to the inner drive member for pivotal movement solely about an axis which is perpendicular to an axis through the center of the two drive balls.