UNIVERSAL JOINT

• US 3,663,044 A
• Filed: 05/04/1970
• Issued: 05/16/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gilbert E. Contreras, Robert W. Graves
• Original Assignee: Gilbert E. Contreras, Robert W. Graves
• Inventors: Contreras, Gilbert E., Graves, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US05/034,160
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 285/226,265 64/18 248/182
• US Class Current: 285/226
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/0857 with hinge and bellows sealing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32041 Universal

Abstract

A universal joint used in conjunction with flexible bellows duct connections to restrain axial loading. Two sleeves connected by the bellows have pairs of diametrically opposed lugs pivoted to a gimbal ring. This ring is of non-circular shape, and in particular has four uncurved sides connected to the lugs, these sides being joined in one version of the invention by square corners and another by rounded corners.

Claims

1. In a universal joint for connecting two parts, a pair of diametrically opposed lugs extending from one of said parts toward the other part, a second pair of diametrically opposed lugs extending from said other part toward the first part, adjacent lugs being 90* apart when the parts are aligned, a gimbal ring between said parts, and pivotal connections between said gimbal ring and said lugs, the four portions of said gimbal ring in the vicinity of said pivotal connections being substantially uncurved forming a substantially square configuration, whereby the torsional shear stress created at the corners of said gimbal ring by axial forces between said parts will be reduced.

2. The combination according to claim 1, said uncurved portions being flat.

3. The combination according to claim 1, the corners of said gimbal ring being square.

4. The combination according to claim 1, the corners of said gimbal ring being slightly rounded.

5. The combination according to claim 4, the uncurved portions of said gimbal ring being flat.

6. In a universal joint for connecting two ducts, a flexible bellows extending between and secured to the ducts, a pair of diametrically opposed lugs extending from each duct toward each other, adjacent lugs being spaced 90* apart, a gimbal ring, and pivotal connections between said lugs and said gimbal ring, the portions of said gimbal ring in the vicinity of said pivotal connections being uncurved forming a substantially square configuration, whereby the torsional shear stress at the corners of said gimbal ring created by axial forces between said ducts will be reduced.

7. The combination according to claim 6, said uncurved portions of the gimbal ring being flat, the gimbal ring and lugs being outside said flexible bellows.

8. The combination according to claim 6, said uncurved portions of the gimbal ring being substantially flat, said corners of the gimbal ring being slightly rounded, the gimbal ring and lugs being inside said flexible bellows.