US4068499A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telescoping universal joints
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-01-26
•
Granted: 1978-01-17
•
Expires: 1996-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A telescoping universal joint comprising a driving member, a driven member, torque transmitting means between the driving and driven member, and means for limiting the relative axial movement in both directons between the driving member and the driven member. The universal joint is described as being utilized together with a second universal joint in a transverse drive line of an automotive vehicle between a differential and a wheel or in a longitudinal drive line between a transmission and a differential.
Inventors
- 👤 Everett H. Sharp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/04; B60K17/16; B60K17/165; B60K17/22; F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/20; F16D3/202; F16D3/205; F16D3/2055; F16D3/22; F16D3/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 77
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising a driving member, a driven member, torque transmitting means between the driving and driven members, and means for limiting relative axial inward and outward movement between said members and for maintaining said members in fixed axial relationship while limiting said axial movement between said members as the joint rotates at any angular alignment of the members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising a driving member, a driven member, torque transmitting means between the driving and driven members, and means for limiting relative axial inward and outward movement between said members and for maintaining said members in fixed axial relationship while limiting said axial movement between said members as the joint rotates at any angular alignment of the members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 1 wherein said means for limiting axial movement between said members in each axial direction comprises a pair of cooperating surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A universal joint according to claim 2 wherein one surface of each pair of said cooperating surfaces is spherical in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A universal joint according to claim 3 wherein the center of curvature of said spherical surface lies on the pivot center of the universal joint during the time of its engagement with its cooperating surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A universal joint according to claim 4 wherein as one member moves axially relative to the other, the pivot center of the joint maintains a relatively fixed relationship with respect to one member and moves axially with respect to the other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A universal joint according to claim 4 wherein as one member moves axially relative to the other, the pivot center of the joint moves axially relative to both members and maintains an axial position relatively intermediate the two members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A universal joint according to claim 1 wherein the torque transmitting members define a plane, said limiting means in each axial direction comprising a pair of cooperating surfaces, one surface of each pair of surfaces being spherical in shape and having its center of curvature substantially in the plane of the torque transmitting members at the time of its engagement with its cooperating surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A universal joint according to claim 7 wherein the centerlines of the driving and driven members maintain an intersecting relationship during only a portion of the operation of the universal joint with said members misaligned.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising a driving member, a driven member, torque transmitting means between the driving and driven members, and means for limiting relative axial outward movement between said members and for maintaining said members in fixed axial relationship while limiting said axial movement between said members as the joint rotates at any angular alignment of the members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising a driving member, a driven member, torque transmitting means between the driving and driven members, and means for limiting relative axial outward movement between said members and for maintaining said members in fixed axial relationship while limiting said axial movement between said members as the joint rotates at any angular alignment of the members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination set forth in claim 9 including means for enclosing and sealing one end of said joint comprising a pair of cooperating surfaces, one of which is mounted for axial movement relative to the member which carries it and is urged axially into contact with its cooperating surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A universal joint according to claim 10 wherein one of said cooperating surfaces is permitted limited radial movement relative to the member which carries it.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said telescoping joint comprises a part of a drive line including a second universal joint and telescoping torque transmitting connection in series with said joints.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A drive line as described in claim 12 wherein said telescoping torque transmitting connection also includes axial stroke limiting means in each direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
135 words
The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said telescoping joint comprises a part of a drive line including a second telescoping joint including a driving member, a driven member, torque transmitting means between the driving and driven members, and means for limiting relative axial outward movement between said members, said means for limiting relative axial outward movement of said second joint comprising a pair of cooperating surfaces, said surfaces coming into contact to limit the stroke in each direction, said surfaces being in continuous contact as the universal joint rotates during the stroke limiting action, one of said surfaces being associated with one of said driving member, driven member or torque transmitting means, and the other of said surfaces being associated with another of said driving member, driven member or said torque transmitting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A drive line as described in claim 14 wherein the input member of the drive line is a transmission and the output member a driving axle of a vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A drive line as described in claim 14 wherein the input member to the drive line is a differential and the output member a driving wheel of a vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising a driving member, a driven member, torque transmitting means between the driving and driven members, and means for enclosing and sealing the space around said members by means of slidably or pivotally engaged surfaces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising a driving member, a driven member, torque transmitting means between the driving and driven members, and means for enclosing and sealing the space around said members by means of slidably or pivotally engaged surfaces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
A universal joint according to claim 17 wherein said enclosing and sealing means includes a pair of cooperating surfaces, one of which is permitted axial movement relative to the member which carries it and is urged axially into contact with its cooperating surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A universal joint according to claim 18 wherein one of said cooperating surfaces is spherical in shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A universal joint according to claim 19 wherein one of said cooperating surfaces is permitted limited radial movement relative to the member which carries it.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A universal joint according to claim 19 wherein the center of curvature of the spherical surface is located at the pivot center of the joint.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
89 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising an outer driving or driven member, an inner driving or driven member received within said outer member, axially extending grooves in at least one of said outer member and said inner member, torque transmitting means between said members and engaging said grooves, and means for limiting the relative movement in each axial direction between said members and for maintaining said members in fixed axial relationship while limiting said axial movement between said members as the joint rotates at any angular alignment of the members.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
89 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising an outer driving or driven member, an inner driving or driven member received within said outer member, axially extending grooves in at least one of said outer member and said inner member, torque transmitting means between said members and engaging said grooves, and means for limiting the relative movement in each axial direction between said members and for maintaining said members in fixed axial relationship while limiting said axial movement between said members as the joint rotates at any angular alignment of the members.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A universal joint according to claim 22 wherein the means for limiting movement in each of the axial directions comprises a pair of cooperating surfaces, one surface of each pair of surfaces being spherical in shape.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
75 words
A universal joint according to claim 23 wherein the construction is such that as the members move axially relative to one another, the pivot center of the joint maintains a relatively fixed position with respect to the inner member and moves axially with respect to the outer member, the center of curvature of each spherical limiting surface lying on the pivot center of the joint during the time of its engagement with its cooperating surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
A universal joint according to claim 24 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the inner member and its cooperating surface is carried by the outer member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A universal joint according to claim 24 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the outer member and its cooperating surface is carried by the inner member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
75 words
A universal joint according to claim 23 wherein the construction is such that as the members move axially relative to one another, the pivot center of the joint maintains a relatively fixed position with respect to the outer member and moves axially with respect to the inner member, the center of curvature of each spherical limiting surface lying on the pivot center of the joint during the time of its engagement with its cooperating surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
A universal joint according to claim 27 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the inner member and its cooperating surface is carried by the outer member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 27 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the outer member, its cooperating surface is carried by the inner member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
A universal joint according to claim 23 wherein the construction is such that during operation with the members misaligned, the centerlines of said members do not maintain an intersecting relationship, one of said cooperating surfaces having limited radial movement relative to the member which carries it.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A universal joint according to claim 30 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the inner member and its cooperating surface is carried by the outer member.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
A universal joint according to claim 30 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the outer member and its cooperating surface is carried by the inner member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
A universal joint according to claim 23 wherein one of said cooperating surfaces is permitted axial movement with respect to the member on which it is carried and is urged axially into contact with its paired cooperating surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
A universal joint according to claim 33 wherein one surface of said paired cooperating surfaces is permitted limited radial movement relative to the member on which it is carried.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
90 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising an outer driving or driven member, an inner driving or driven member received within said outer member, axially extending grooves in at least one of said outer member and said inner member, torque transmitting means between said members and engaging said grooves, and means for limiting the relative axial movement in the outward direction between said members and for maintaining said members in fixed axial relationship while limiting said axial movement between said members as the joint rotates at any angular alignment of the members.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
90 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising an outer driving or driven member, an inner driving or driven member received within said outer member, axially extending grooves in at least one of said outer member and said inner member, torque transmitting means between said members and engaging said grooves, and means for limiting the relative axial movement in the outward direction between said members and for maintaining said members in fixed axial relationship while limiting said axial movement between said members as the joint rotates at any angular alignment of the members.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
64 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising an outer driving or driven member, an inner driving or driven member received within said outer member, axially extending grooves in at least one of said outer member and said inner member, torque transmitting means between said members and engaging said grooves, and means for sealing the space between said member by means of slidably or pivotally engaged surfaces.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
64 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising an outer driving or driven member, an inner driving or driven member received within said outer member, axially extending grooves in at least one of said outer member and said inner member, torque transmitting means between said members and engaging said grooves, and means for sealing the space between said member by means of slidably or pivotally engaged surfaces.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
41 words
A universal joint according to claim 36 wherein said sealing means includes a pair of cooperating surfaces, one of which is permitted axial movement relative to the member which carries it and is urged axially into contact with its cooperating surface.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
A universal joint according to claim 37 wherein one of said cooperating surfaces is spherical in shape.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
A universal joint according to claim 37 wherein one of said cooperating surfaces is permitted limited radial movement relative to the member which carries it.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
A universal joint according to claim 37 wherein the center of curvature of the spherical surface coincides with the pivot center of the joint.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
99 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising an outer driving or driven member, an inner driving or driven member received within said outer member, axially extending grooves in at least one of said outer member and said inner member, torque transmitting means in said grooves, positioning means to assist in positioning said torque transmitting means relative to said members, and means for limiting the relative movement between said members in each axial direction and for maintaining said members in fixed axial relationship while limiting said axial movement between said members as the joint rotates at any angular alignment of the members.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
99 words
A telescoping universal joint comprising an outer driving or driven member, an inner driving or driven member received within said outer member, axially extending grooves in at least one of said outer member and said inner member, torque transmitting means in said grooves, positioning means to assist in positioning said torque transmitting means relative to said members, and means for limiting the relative movement between said members in each axial direction and for maintaining said members in fixed axial relationship while limiting said axial movement between said members as the joint rotates at any angular alignment of the members.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
34 words
A universal joint according to claim 41 wherein the means for limiting movement in each of the axial directions comprises a pair of cooperating surfaces, one surface of each pair being spherical in shape.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
43 words
A universal joint according to claim 42 wherein as the members move axially relative to one another, the pivot center of the joint maintains a relatively fixed position with respect to the inner member and moves axially with respect to the outer member.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 43 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the inner member, its cooperating surface is carried by the outer member.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 43 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the outer member, its cooperating surface is carried by the inner member.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 43 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the positioning means, its cooperating surface is carried by the outer member.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 44 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the outer member, its cooperating surface is carried by the positioning means.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
42 words
A universal joint according to claim 42 wherein as the members move axially relative to one another, the pivot center of the joint maintains a relatively fixed position with respect to the outer member and moves axially relative to the inner member.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
28 words
A universal joint according to claim 48 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the inner member and its cooperating surface is carried by the outer member.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 48 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the outer member, its cooperating surface is carried by the inner member.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 48 wherein a said spherical surface is associated with the inner member, its cooperating surface being associated with the positioning means.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
28 words
A universal joint according to claim 48 wherein a said spherical surface is associated with the positioning means and its cooperating surface is associated with the inner member.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
42 words
A universal joint according to claim 42 wherein as the inner and outer members move axially relative to one another, the pivot center of the joint moves axially with respect to both members and maintains an axial position intermediate the two members.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 53 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the inner member, its cooperating surface is carried by the outer member.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 53 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the outer member, its cooperating surface is carried by the inner member.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 53 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the inner member, its cooperating surface is carried by the positioning means.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 53 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the positioning means, its cooperating surface is carried by the inner member.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 53 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the positioning means, its cooperating surface is carried by the outer member.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 53 wherein a said spherical surface is carried by the outer member, its cooperating surface is carried by the positioning means.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
36 words
A universal joint according to claim 42 wherein one of said cooperating surfaces is permitted axial movement with respect to the member which carries it and is urged axially into contact with its paired cooperating surface.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint according to claim 60 wherein one surface of said paired cooperating surfaces is permitted limited radial movement relative to the member which carried it.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
46 words
A drive line incorporating two telescoping universal joints in series, each joint having stroke limiting means in each axial direction, so as to permit greater axial movement between the input and output members of the drive line than would be possible with only one telescoping joint.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
46 words
A drive line incorporating two telescoping universal joints in series, each joint having stroke limiting means in each axial direction, so as to permit greater axial movement between the input and output members of the drive line than would be possible with only one telescoping joint.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
29 words
A drive line as described in claim 62 wherein the input member of the drive line is a transmission and the output member a driving axle of a vehicle.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
29 words
A drive line as described in claim 62 wherein the input member to the drive line is a differential and the output member a driving wheel of a vehicle.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
58 words
A drive line incorporating one or more telescoping universal joints, each joint having stroke limiting means in each axial direction, and another telescoping torque transmitting connection in series with said joints so as to permit greater axial movement between the input and output members of the drive line than would be possible with the telescoping universal joints alone.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
58 words
A drive line incorporating one or more telescoping universal joints, each joint having stroke limiting means in each axial direction, and another telescoping torque transmitting connection in series with said joints so as to permit greater axial movement between the input and output members of the drive line than would be possible with the telescoping universal joints alone.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
23 words
A drive line as described in claim 65 wherein said telescoping torque transmitting connection also includes axial stroke limiting means in each direction.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
29 words
A drive line as described in claim 65 wherein the input member of the drive line is a transmission and the output member a driving axle of a vehicle.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
29 words
A drive line as described in claim 65 wherein the input member to the drive line is a differential and the output member a driving wheel of a vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-16 | 1981-07-18 | 1982-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-16 | 1985-07-18 | 1986-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-16 | 1989-07-18 | 1990-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |