Axially retained wide flexing angle homokinetic joint

A homokinetic joint for coupling two shafts, comprising:

• a tripod element for connection to one of the shafts, said tripod element comprising three trunnions, rollers having substantially spherical outer surfaces and slidably mountable on respective said trunnions, and a central axis;
• a tulip element connected to the other shaft, said tulip element comprising three substantially toroidally shaped rolling tracks for receiving said rollers therein so that said rollers can run in said tracks and axial branches defining a concave spherical surface;
• and
• an axial retaining means for axially maintaining said tripod element and said tulip element in position relative to each other, said axial retaining means comprising an intermediate member, and said intermediate member having a convex spherical surface complementary to and cooperating with said concave spherical surface of said tulip element and a connection means for connection with said tripod element such that said tripod element is movable in a plane perpendicular to said central axis;
• wherein said intermediate member haas a plane surface perpendicular to said central axis and legs extending axially from said plane surface between said trunnions of said tripod element, said tripod element has an opposite first contact zone confronting and cooperating with said plane surface and a second contact zone parallel to said first contact zone, said axial retaining means further comprises urging means, in contact with said tulip element, for urging said tripod element in a direction parallel to said axis to maintain contact between said first contact zone and said plane surface of said intermediate member, said urging means comprising a support member slidably mounted relative to and between said legs of said intermedate member for sliding movement parallel to said central axis, said support member having a plane face perpendicular to said central axis and cooperating with said second contact zone.