Patent ID: 7144325

Claim:
A universal joint comprising: (a) first and second rings; (b) first and second yokes disposed within the first and second rings, respectively; (c) first and second shafts; (d) first pin means pivotally interconnecting the first yoke and the first ring; (e) second pin means pivotally interconnecting the first shaft and the first ring; (f) third pin means pivotally interconnecting the second yoke and the second ring; (g) fourth pin means interconnecting the second shaft and the second ring; (h) a coupling means interconnecting the first yoke and the second yoke; (i) a plurality of bearing means receiving the pin means; and (j) centering means interconnecting the first shaft and the second shaft, the centering means comprising a first connection rod coupled to a second connection rod, wherein: (i) the first connection rod includes a first section having a first axis of rotation and a second section, offset from the first section, having a second axis of rotation; and (ii) the second connection rod includes a first section having a first axis of rotation and a second section, offset from the first section, having a second axis of rotation.