Patent ID: 7633000

Claim:
A universal joint comprising: a spider comprising a unitary structure, said spider having a plurality of holes formed completely within said spider; two pairs of trunnions, each pair of trunnions having an axis; wherein each one of said trunnions has a part proximal to said spider and a distal part extending from said spider; wherein each trunnion is inserted into a respective one of said plurality of holes in said spider; a pair of yokes, each yoke having a shaft and a pair of bosses; wherein said shafts of said yokes extend away from said spider in generally opposite directions, wherein each pair of bosses includes openings for receiving said distal parts of a corresponding pair of trunnions, wherein said spider has an inner surface forming an interior space, wherein said distal parts of said trunnions extend into said interior space, wherein said bosses receive said distal parts of said trunnions within said interior space; wherein said bosses extend within small tolerances of said inner surface; and wherein for each pair of trunnions, there is a spacing of from about ¾ inch to about 1½ inch between said proximal parts.