Patent ID: 8469830

Claim:
A universal joint, comprising: a pivotal member symmetrically defining four arc-shaped pivotal slots in an outer periphery thereof, the pivotal member being substantially ball shaped, and comprising a cylindrical main portion and two hemispherical pivotal portions oppositely formed at two ends of the main portion, four pivotal slots symmetrically defined in an outer periphery of the pivotal member, each pivotal slot extending from a distal end of one pivotal portion, and passing through the main portion, and finally reaching to a distal end of the other pivotal portion, four pivotal slots intersecting with each other at the distal ends of one pivotal portion, and intersecting with each other at the distal end of the other pivotal portion; and two connecting assemblies rotatably mounted together by the pivotal member and positioned at two ends of the pivotal member, each connecting assembly comprising: two connecting members engaging with the two symmetrical pivotal slots of the pivotal member, respectively, and oppositely positioned at a same end of the pivotal member, the connecting members rotatably engaging with the corresponding pivotal slot of the pivotal member, each connecting member comprising: a gripping base being substantially hollow semi-cylindrical, and comprising an arc-shaped domed portion and two peripheral end portions, the two gripping bases of the two connecting members detachably assembled together, and together form a substantially cylindrical assembling hole therebetween, a pivotal arm being substantially bar-shaped, and extending out from one end of the gripping base axially, and a latching block formed on one end portion of the gripping base, a latching slot defined in the other end portion of the gripping base, when the two connecting members assembled together, the latching block and the latching slot of one connecting member respectively latching with the latching slot and the latching block of the other connecting member; and two elastic pads placed on and sandwiched between the two end portions of the gripping bases of the two connecting members, respectively.