Universal joint

A universal joint for small articulation angles, comprising:

• an outer joint part having parallel, longitudinally extending tracks, including inner surface parts which are interrupted by the tracks and which act as guiding faces;
• an inner joint part having parallel, longitudinally extending tracks, said inner joint part including outer spherical surface parts which are interrupted by the tracks and which act as sliding faces;
• torque transmitting balls axially freely movably held in an uncontrolled way in said tracks of said inner and outer joint parts;
• the tracks in the two joint parts including a constant cross-section adapted substantially, without a clearance, to the balls and with the rolling movement of the balls being limited by axial stops in one of the joint members;
• and
• when the joint is articulated, the surface parts acting as guiding faces supportingly act on the surface parts acting as sliding faces around one fulcrum positioned on the longitudinal axis of the outer joint part;
• and
• wherein the surface parts in the outer joint part acting as guiding faces each include surface parts axially spaced from one another, which, substantially, are positioned at both ends of the tracks.