Patent ID: 8920249

Claim:
A universal coupling having a longitudinal axis, comprising: a first universal joint; a second universal joint; a centering device associated with the first and second universal joints and configured to control the spacing therebetween and to provide at least two pivot axes to the universal coupling which lie in a common plane, wherein the centering device includes one of a spherical joint and a Cardan joint; and a linkage assembly that couples the first universal joint to the second universal joint for transmitting torque therebetween, wherein the linkage assembly includes first and second hinge links hingedly coupled to a portion of the first universal joint; and third and fourth hinge links hingedly coupled to a portion of the second universal joint, wherein the first and second hinge links are hingedly coupled about first and second axes to the third and fourth hinge links, respectively, such that the first axis is co-planar with the second axis and both first and second axes are disposed orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the universe coupling.