Friction reduced constant velocity universal joint

A constant velocity universal joint comprising:

• a housing having a plurality of channels extending longitudinally therein;
• an inner rotatable member having a plurality of trunnions with radially disposed axes, each of said trunnions extending into a respective one of said channels and being longitudinally movable along such channel, each trunnion having a polygonal outer surface, the polygonal outer surface of each trunnion being rectangular;
• a respective ball and socket joint located between each trunnion and the channel into which such trunnion extends for permitting rotational movement of such trunnion about the axis thereof;
• a first bearing means operatively positioned between each trunnion and a respective ball member of said ball and socket joint for permitting relatively frictionless movement between said trunnion and said respective ball member along the axis of said trunnion;
• a second bearing means operatively engaged between a respective socket member of said ball and socket joint and said channel for permitting relatively frictionless movement of such socket member longitudinally along the channel in which such socket member is located;
• and
• the first and second bearing means comprising needle rollers.

A constant velocity universal joint comprising:

• a housing having a plurality of channels extending longitudinally therein;
• an inner rotatable member having a plurality of trunnions with radially disposed axes, each of said trunnions extending into a respective one of said channels and being longitudinally movable along such channel, each trunnion having a circular outer surface;
• a bearing block member disposed between each trunnion and its respective channel, said bearing block member having an inner circular bore and an outer polygonal surface;
• first bearing means interposed between the circular outer surface of each trunnion and the inner circular bore of the bearing block associated therewith for permitting relatively frictionless rotational movement of said trunnion about its axis;
• a ball member positioned between each channel and each bearing block, each ball member having a polygonal inner surface corresponding to the polygonal outer surface of the bearing block;
• and
• second bearing means disposed between the inner surface of each ball member and the outer surface of the bearing block associated therewith for permitting relatively frictionless movement between the respective trunnion and such ball member along the axis of such trunnion.