Patent GB-387497-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to universal joints
IPC: F16D3/28
Filed: 1932-01-21
Abstract: 387,497. Universal joints. KATTWINKEL, H., 28, Meissnerstrasse, Coswig, Saxony, Germany. Jan. 21, 1932, No. 1859. [Class 80 (ii).] An elastic universal joint, which may be used for driving the front wheels of motor vehicles, comprises a pair of radial pins 3 fixed on each of the coupled shafts and drivingly connected circumferentially by precompressed rubber members 21, of annular sector shape, fitted in the unobstructed hollow space extending through the interior of a two-part annular casing 13, 14. The pins 3 bear, through steel bushes 25, in hard bearing-bodies 4 of aluminium, a metal alloy, or " Jurid," which is composed of asbestos fibres impregnated with artificial resin. The outer surface of the bodies 4 and of the rubber members 21, together with the inner surface of the casing, are spherically curved about the centre of the joint. The abutting surfaces of the bodies 4 and the rubber members 21 are curved, axially of the joint, concave and convex respectively and these surfaces may extend radially instead of, as shown, parallel to the pins 3. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 shows several modifications. In the form shown in Fig. 1 (Cancelled), bearing caps 4 for the trunnion pins 3 of a Hooke's joint are bolted between flexible discs 6, 7 which form the intermediate member. The joint is centred by a spherical head 9 on one fork member engaging a cylindrical bush 10 of non-metallic material such as " Jurid " in the other. Holes for the bolts 5 are provided in lugs on each side of the caps 4 and are so spaced that the bolts will fit holes in existing discs. A space between the closed end of the cap 4 and the trunnion 3 is charged with lubricant through a grease-gun nipple. The flexible discs 6, 7, two of which need not necessarily be used, may be of the usual rubberized fabric or may comprise a group of connecting-straps formed by rubber members wrapped with a wire rope ring and formed with embedded bolt bushes. The connecting-straps may or may not be embedded in a rubber disc. Metal reinforcing-plates 8 are provided. In the modification shown in Fig. 6 (Cancelled), the caps 4 are connected by separate external connecting-straps 11 formed by rubber-embedded steel wire-wound ellipses bolted to the caps. A modification of this form, also shown, uses a single polygonal connecting-strap embracing and bolted to all the caps and formed by a vulcanized band having strong peripherally-extending warp threads. A further modification shown in Figs. 9 (Cancelled) and 11 (Cancelled) uses a two-part soft rubber disc 6, 7 having capaccommodating recesses 16 and held together under compression by sheet-metal covers 13, 14 in which the rubber discs are mounted under initial compression. The covers 13, 14 have inner flanges 13b slightly spaced from the caps 4 and are locked together by a steel ring 15 passed between hooked lugs 13a, 14a, or by riveting, bolting, or folding over the peripheral edges. The covers 13, 14 have internal spherical surfaces bearing on the complementary external base of the cap 4 to centre the joint. The splined sleeve 1a may be formed as a coupling flange. The caps 4 or the bearing bodies 4, Figs. 1 and 2, may be of a metal alloy known as " Silumin." This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.