Universal coupling member for two shafts and method of manufacturing such a coupling member

Abstract

A drive shaft including a universal coupling is made in the form of a uniy bonded fiber material structure having anisotropic properties. A winding form or mold is assembled to include, for example, an elongated winding sleeve, a flange forming core element, and an elongated winding mandrel joined together. Impregnated fiber material is wound onto the mold so that the fibers of the winding lie at thread angles approximately .+-.45.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the form or mold. The wound structure is compressed whereby the coupling assumes its intended shape after curing or hardening. Portions of the form or mold are removed, for example, by dissolving and washing in a suitable solvent. Alternatively the drive shaft coupling is formed directly on the torque transmitting shafts to be coupled so that the transmitting shafts are integrated into the unitary structure. The annular flange and 45.degree. winding result in a structure which affords a high torsional rigidity while allowing deformation of the structure in the three directions of space.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.