Universal joint

In a universal coupling having an outer ring defining therein a socket, an inner ring accommodated in the socket, said socket having an inner surface which defines therein groove-like outer races, said inner ring having an outer surface which defines therein groove-like inner races, said inner and outer surfaces being adjacent, with each outer race positioned adjacent one inner race thereby defining one full race, and a set of flatted balls each having one flat face and being movably secured in one of said full races for transmitting rotation from the one of said rings to the other ring the, improvement wherein said inner race has an outer surface which is curved, and the flat face of each of said flatted balls engages and freely cooperates with said curved surface, and

• wherein said inner ring has an outer face corresponding to said outer end of said socket, said coupling further comprises a ball lock ring secured to said outer face and bearing spring elements projecting from said lock ring into the inner races of the inner ring for releasably engaging said balls when said inner ring fully deflects in said socket.

A universal coupling comprising:

• (a) an outer ring defining therein a socket with a first central longitudinal axis therethrough,
• (b) an inner ring movably secured in said socket with a second central axis therethrough, whereby said axes are movable between co-axial and askew orientation, said outer and inner rings respectively having corresponding inner and outer spherical end surfaces situated adjacently, said inner and outer surfaces each defining therein outer and inner ball races respectively extending axially and radially, each of said inner races being adjacent a mating outer race and thereby forming one full race, and
• (c) a set of balls each having a flatted face and movably secured in one of said full races for transmitting rotation from one of said inner and outer rings to the other, said inner races each having a convex curved surface, said flatted face of each of said balls being engaged to and freely cooperating with said convex curved surface of an inner race.