UNIVERSAL JOINT COMPRISING A PAIR OF CROWN GEAR ELEMENTS CONFINED WITHIN A SLOTTED CASING

摘要

A universal joint comprises a driving gear (2) and a driven gear (1) each provided with a respective crown gear cluster, and a slotted casing (3) confining the driving gear (2) and the driven gear (1) in meshing engagement. The casing (3) comprises a slot (11) through which the driven gear (1) projects and along which the driven gear (1) may be moved angularly from a first position in which the driving gear (2) and driven gear (1) are in-line, and a second position in which the driving gear (2) and driven gear (1) are substantially at right angles to one another. A guide element (10) is captive on the driven gear (1) and disposed within the casing (3), and rides along a channel (17) formed in the casing (3). The guide element (10) guides the driven gear (1) in movement from the first position to the second position.