An Improved Universal or Ball Joint.
Year: 1897

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Universal or Ball Joint.
I, FELIX RICHTER, of Tschoepeln, near Muskau, Brandenburg, in the Empire of
Germany, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a universal ball or joint which admits of the transfer
of the movements of one driving part to another being effected in all directions
with the least possible friction on the moving parts and in such a way that both
parts can execute a universal movement either simultaneously or
each part
separately.
With this object the joint is formed of a ball and of a casing surrounding said
ball on all sides. The ball is revolubly arranged on one of the parts, for instance
the driving part, in such a way that the axis of this part (shaft or axle) coincides
with the diameter of the ball. The casing is mounted on the other part, for
instance the driven part, and encloses the ball in such a way that the latter finds
at several points of a large sphere a bearing and support. Of course the ball may
also be arranged on the driven and the casing on the driving part.
The invention is shown in the accompanying drawing as an example of con-
struction which serves for conveying the reciprocating motion of an alternately
pushing and pulling rod to a second rod or shaft, both rods being capable in case
of need of executing a universal movement within certain limits.
Figure 1 is a front view of the joint;
Figure 2, a side view;
Figure 3, a view of the ball on its axis;
Figures 4-8 details of separate constructions of the ball.
Let it be assumed that a pushing and pulling force acts on the shaft
(Figures 1 and 2) which is intended to move the shaft h to and fro and in such
a way that the latter is enabled also to have a free mobility in all other directions.
On the rod or shaft f the ball g is mounted, whilst the rod h carries a casing sur-
rounding the ball. The ball g is perforated to correspond to the diameter of the
shaft f and is so mounted on the latter that the central line of the shaft f and the
diameter of the ball coincide and the ball g may always freely rotate on the shaft f.
This free rotating mounting of the ball on the shaft f has also for its object to
enable any movement in a suitable direction to be imparted to the shaft f by any
outside power.
If a lateral adjustment of the ball on the shaft f be not desired, set rings e
(Figures 1 and 2) may be arranged or a keyway may be turned on the shaft f, the
length of which corresponds to the diameter of the ball. In the form of con-
struction shown in Figures 1 and 2 the casing consists of four parts which enclose
the ball like a frame so that the latter is supported in this case at four points of
a large sphere. Of course according to the extent of the power employed and the
kind of movement, the form of casing may be altered and thereby the number of
the points of support may be increased or diminished to a suitable degree.

page_text: The lower part c¹ of the casing is mounted at the end of the rod h and has two
lateral bands a a¹ which are connected at the other end to the part c.
As in the present example the power is assumed to act in the direction of the rod h
the bearing places cc' of the ball are formed as thrust cups b¹ whilst the
adjacent parts a a¹ of the casing are shown as bands and the upper surface of the
ball comes in contact or engages with their apertures or borings. Of course vice
versa the cups c
may be formed into bands and the bands a a¹ into cups or accord-
ing to the extent and direction of the power, other parts may be formed as cups
or apertured bands. Instead of cups the ball may preferably be mounted every-
where in borings which engage the ball surface with their walls which are shaped
to fit the hall. By this arrangement the size of the friction surfaces and therefore
also the wear and tear are reduced to a minimum. On the other hand instead of
borings the ball may be mounted on all sides in cups if circumstances require it.
In order to fit the ball in the casing, the parts of the same are adjustably
arranged by means of for instance the slots shown in dotted lines in Figure 2 and
screws d shown in Figure 1.
In order to allow of the ball being easily placed on the shaft for on its keyway
or slot, it may be divided as shown in Figures 4-6. In order however that in
spite of this division the equality and exactness of the running surface of the ball
may remain intact, one ball half g Figures 5 and 6 is provided with a cylindrical
pin which fits into a corresponding hole k¹ in the other ball half gi Figures
7 and 8. The bore hole for the shaft f is cut centrally through the separating
surfaces of the two halves of the ball so that the ball-half g¹ has a semicircular
recess p, and ball half a semicircular recess p with which recesses a recess in
the pinnecessary for inserting the shaft, Figure 5, coincides. Holes m and n,
Figure 4, allow of the lubricating of the bearing of the axle being effected from
both sides of the ball.
In order to hold the two halves of the ball together, screws are passed through
one half of the ball and engage in threaded recesses formed in the pin k.
Instead of these screws other suitable means may be employed.
The advantages of the ball joint or universal connection herein before described
are very evident. In consequence of the frame-like mounting of the ball in the
casing a sure and firm mutual support of each part exists between the ball and its
bands allowing extensive mobility independent of one another and in all directions
of the rods or shafts or the like connected with each of the two parts. As the ball
can freely rotate on its shaft it diminishes by its mutual or assisting movements
the friction existing between the band or casing of the ball and the ball, which
friction is of itself already extremely slight so that wear of the separate parts is
reduced to a minimum and an effective mobility is obtained. The division of
the ball into two halves allows of the ball being mounted on any desired shaft or
the like without dismounting the latter. The guide pin or key by its engagement
in a suitable groove or bore of the other half of the ball prevents any lateral adjust-
ment or displacement of the two halves of the ball and always ensures an exact
position of the parts of the ball. The peculiar composition of the joint imparts to
both members a universal movement either simultaneously or each separately.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: -
1. A universal or ball joint, characterized by one member of the joint being
formed of a ball freely revoluble on its axis while the other member is formed
of a casing which surrounds the ball with the object of allowing both parts to have
a universal movement simultaneously or each separately, substantially as herein-
before set forth.
2. A ball joint of the kind described, characterized by the ball being formed in
two parts, with the object of enabling it to be easily mounted on its shaft or axle,
substantially as described.

page_text: 3. A ball joint of the kind described, characterized by one half of the ball, which
is formed in two halves, being provided with a projection that engages with a
corresponding recess in the other half of the ball, substantially as described.
4. A ball joint of the kind described, characterized by the casing being formed
of walls which are provided with borings apertures or recesses touching and
shaped to fit to the ball, substantially as described.
5. A ball joint of the kind described, characterized by the walls of the casing
being adapted to be adjusted to correspond with the diameter of the ball, sub-
stantially as described.
TL dow of December 1807
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.