GB2158186A

GB2158186A - Lockable universal joint

Info

Publication number: GB2158186A
Application number: GB08410493A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward William Kenneth Clinton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-04-25
Filing date: 1984-04-25
Publication date: 1985-11-06
Also published as: GB8410493D0

Abstract

A Lockable Universal Joint comprises a female half (1) and a male half (2) which pivot about each other upon the fulcrum (3) each half being provided with a rotary bearing (4) set at right angles to the fulcrum, all three movements being lockable by tightening nuts (7) and nut (6) so that the two halves can be accurately and simply positioned and locked in an infinite variety of compound relationships to each other. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lockable universal joint This invention relates to a lockable universal joint.

Universal joints are used to allow the change of line of a mechanical shaft in one or more planes whilst still allowing it to rotate as in the drive shaft of a motor car. These joints are free running and are intended to convey rotary power.

Friction couplings have a wide variety of applications, the principle of them being two rotatable faces held together under pressure so that any rotary force applied to one will be taken up by the other with varying degrees of efficiency according to the pressure between the two faces, examples of this being: a) friction disc dampers as used on the old style leaf spring suspension of cars b) friction clutches as used to engage and disengage a rotary drive shaft c) electro magnetic clutches as used in some machine tools d) spring loaded friction joints as used in shop window mannequins.

The spring loaded friction joint as used in (d) above only allows movement in one plane thus restricting the movement of the limb or attachment.

According the present invention a lockable swivel joint, the two halves of which pivot about each other and one or both are provided with a rotary bearing which pivots about a centre set at right angles to the fulcrum of the swivel joint thus allowing movement in at least two planes. This rotary movement is also lockable in any position required.

A specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 illustrates a side view of the lockable universal joint Figure 2 shows a view of Fig. 1 from the left side Figure 3 shows a view of Fig. 1 from above Figure 4 shows a view of Fig. 1 from the right side Figure 5 shows a view of Fig. 1 from below Referring to the drawing, the joint comprises a female half 1 and a male half 2. The two halves are held together by the fulcrum pin 3 on which the two halves pivot about each other up to 1 80 degrees of arc. These are lockable in any position of the 1 80 degree arc by tightening the locking nut 6.

The two halves are each provided with a rotary friction disc 4 upon which the whole joint can rotate 360 about the pivot pins 5 or upon which a limb or component being fastened can rotate 360 in relation to the joint.

These rotary friction discs being lockable by tightening the locking nuts 7.

A variable degree of frictional efficiency can be achieved by placing a spring washer between the body of the joint 1 and the locking nut 6, and between the friction disc 4 and the locking nut 7, then using the locking nuts 6 and 7 to adjust the amount of pressure given by the spring washer.

A lockable universal joint comprising a locka ble swivel joint, the two halves of which pivot about each other and one or both provided with a rotary bearing which pivots about a centre set at right angles to the fulcrum of the swivel joint thus allowing movement in at least two planes. This rotary movement is also lockable in any position required.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

SPECIFICATION Lockable universal joint This invention relates to a lockable universal joint.

Universal joints are used to allow the change of line of a mechanical shaft in one or more planes whilst still allowing it to rotate as in the drive shaft of a motor car. These joints are free running and are intended to convey rotary power.

Friction couplings have a wide variety of applications, the principle of them being two rotatable faces held together under pressure so that any rotary force applied to one will be taken up by the other with varying degrees of efficiency according to the pressure between the two faces, examples of this being: a) friction disc dampers as used on the old style leaf spring suspension of cars b) friction clutches as used to engage and disengage a rotary drive shaft

c) electro magnetic clutches as used in some machine tools d) spring loaded friction joints as used in shop window mannequins.

The spring loaded friction joint as used in (d) above only allows movement in one plane thus restricting the movement of the limb or attachment.

According the present invention a lockable swivel joint, the two halves of which pivot about each other and one or both are provided with a rotary bearing which pivots about a centre set at right angles to the fulcrum of the swivel joint thus allowing movement in at least two planes. This rotary movement is also lockable in any position required.

A specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 illustrates a side view of the lockable universal joint Figure 2 shows a view of Fig. 1 from the left side Figure 3 shows a view of Fig. 1 from above Figure 4 shows a view of Fig. 1 from the right side Figure 5 shows a view of Fig. 1 from below Referring to the drawing, the joint comprises a female half 1 and a male half
2. The two halves are held together by the fulcrum pin 3 on which the two halves pivot about each other up to 1 80 degrees of arc. These are lockable in any position of the 1 80 degree arc by tightening the locking nut 6.

The two halves are each provided with a rotary friction disc 4 upon which the whole joint can rotate 360 about the pivot pins 5 or upon which a limb or component being fastened can rotate 360 in relation to the joint.

These rotary friction discs being lockable by tightening the locking nuts 7.

A variable degree of frictional efficiency can be achieved by placing a spring washer between the body of the joint 1 and the locking nut 6, and between the friction disc 4 and the locking nut 7, then using the locking nuts 6 and 7 to adjust the amount of pressure given by the spring washer.

A lockable universal joint comprising a locka ble swivel joint, the two halves of which pivot about each other and one or both provided with a rotary bearing which pivots about a centre set at right angles to the fulcrum of the swivel joint thus allowing movement in at least two planes. This rotary movement is also lockable in any position required.