US4968173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal joint
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-03-09
•
Granted: 1990-11-06
•
Expires: 2010-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A universal joint includes a first shaft member having a cylindrical portion, a pair of yoke portions at a free end thereof and a ball-like portion formed between the yoke portions and a second shaft member having a cylindrical portion and a pair of yoke portions at a free end thereof. The ball-like portion is formed integrally and inseparably with the yoke portions of the first shaft member. The first and second shaft members are thus detachably and movably connected with each other through engagement between the ball-like portion of the former and the yoke portions of the latter.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiharu Fujita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:41
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/26; F16D3/44; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32008; Y10T403/32041; Y10T403/32114; Y10T403/32163; Y10T403/32172; Y10T403/32181
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A universal joint comprising: a first shaft member having a cylindrical portion, a pair of yoke portions at a free end thereof and a ball-like portion formed between said yoke portions; and a second shaft member having a cylindrical portion and a pair of yoke portions at a free end thereof; said ball-like portion being formed integrally and inseparably with said yoke portions of said first shaft member; said ball-like portion being engageable with said yoke portions of said second shaft member for detachably and movably interconnecting said first and second shaft members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A universal joint comprising: a first shaft member having a cylindrical portion, a pair of yoke portions at a free end thereof and a ball-like portion formed between said yoke portions; and a second shaft member having a cylindrical portion and a pair of yoke portions at a free end thereof; said ball-like portion being formed integrally and inseparably with said yoke portions of said first shaft member; said ball-like portion being engageable with said yoke portions of said second shaft member for detachably and movably interconnecting said first and second shaft members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A universal joint as defined in claim 1, wherein said yoke portions of said first shaft member and said ball-like portion are formed of a same material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A universal joint as defined in claim 1, wherein said yoke portions of said first shaft member and said ball-like portion are formed integrally with each other by the powder material injection molding method.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A universal joint as defined in claim 3, wherein ribs are provided to said yoke portions of said second shaft member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A universal joint as defined in claim 1, wherein said yoke portions of said first shaft member and said ball-like portion are formed of different materials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A universal joint as defined in claim 5, wherein ribs are provided to said yoke portions of said second shaft member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A universal joint as defined in claim 2, wherein said yoke portions of said first shaft member and said ball-like portion are formed integrally with each other by the powder material injection molding method.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A universal joint as defined in claim 7, wherein ribs are provided to said yoke portions of said second shaft member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3497248A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-11-05 | 1994-05-07 | 1994-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-05 | 1998-05-07 | 1998-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-05 | 2002-05-07 | 2002-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |