Angularly movable universal joint

Claim 1

A universal joint comprising: an inner joint member; an outer joint member; roller members operatively interposed in torque transmitting engagement between said inner and said outer joint members; grooves in said inner and outer joint members having said roller members in guided engagement therein and configured to effect rotative driving engagement between said inner and outer joint members; a driven member and a driving member, one of said driven and driving members being in rotative driving engagement with said outer joint member; torque transmission means connecting the other of said driven and said driving members in torque transmitting engagement with said inner joint member while permitting relative axial movement therebetween; recess means in the other of said driving and driven members having said roller members engaged therein in a manner to hold said inner joint member and said other member axially fixed relative to each other; said roller members being at least partially of a spherical configuration with said inner joint member and said recess means being structured to hold said roller members so that they are in mutually supporting engagement with each other radially inwardly of said joint; said inner and outer joint members and said driving and driven members, respectively, being structured to permit angular articulation of said joint while retaining the torque transmitting capability thereof.