Constant velocity ratio universal joints

Claim 1

A universal joint comprising: a first joint member having a rotational axis; a body, and means connecting said body to said first joint member for pivotal movement relative thereto about a pivot axis intersecting and perpendicular to said rotational axis; said body comprising two trunnions extending along a trunnion axis perpendicular to said pivot axis of the body; respective rollers carried by the trunnions for rotation about the trunnion axis; a second joint member having a rotational axis and having two tracks extending axially with regard to said rotational axis of the second member, said tracks being diametrically opposed to one another about the rotational axis of the second joint member, said rollers being received in said tracks for torque transmission between the joint members by way of said body and rollers; centering means for centering the rotational axes of the first and second joint members relative to one another; a guide member having respective portions engaging the first and second joint members and the body for maintaining the trunnion axis in a plane bisecting the angle between the rotational axes of the first and second joint members; said guide member having a longitudinal axis and a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion between said end portions, said portions being spaced along said longitudinal axis of the guide member; said first end portion of the guide member and the first joint member having respective complimentary formations which engage one another, said complementary formations comprising a projection and a recess; said second end portion of the guide member engaging the second joint member; said intermediate portion of the guide member engaging said body, said guide member having a part-spherical surface on said intermediate portion thereof and said body having a concave part-spherical surface facing said first joint member and engaging said part spherical surface of said intermediate portion; and said complimentary formation at the first end portion of the guide member comprising a surface of revolution of a gear tooth shape about an axis extending transversely to said longitudinal axis of the guide member and which passes through the center of curvature of said part-spherical surface of said intermediate portion of the guide member.