# US 6,293,167 B1 · Universal joint for vehicle steering system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,293,167 B1 - Document ID: US6293167B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/481,294 - Filed: 2000-01-11 - Granted: 2001-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 1998-10-08 - Assignees: IMO Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Frederick E. Latz; Ronald C. Singleterry; Andrew K. Stiteler; Terry W. Craftchick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6293167B1 ## CPC - B62D 1/187: with tilt adjustment; with tilt and axial adjustment (B62D1/183, B62D1/19 takes precedence) - B63H 25/00: Steering; Slowing-down otherwise than by use of propulsive elements (using movably-installed outboard propulsion units B63H20/00); Dynamic anchoring, i.e. positioning vessels by means of main or auxiliary propulsive elements - F16D 3/26: Hooke's joints or other joints with an equivalent intermediate member to which each coupling part is pivotally or slidably connected (F16D3/18, F16D3/20 take precedence) - G05G 1/08: Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels - B63H 2025/026: {using multi-axis control levers, or the like, e.g. joysticks, wherein at least one degree of freedom is employed for steering, slowing down, or dynamic anchoring} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00) ## Abstract A universal joint is provided having a generally cup-shaped yolk. The yolk includes a base and a generally cylindrical wall projecting therefrom. The wall partially defines a cavity in the yolk. A shaft extends a longitudinal axis and has a ball on the first end thereof. The ball is receivable within the cavity and the yolk. Mounting structure is provided for pivotably supporting the ball in the cavity of the yolk. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A universal joint, comprising: a generally cup-shaped yoke having a ball-receiving cavity therein; a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends; a ball mounted to the first end of the shaft and being receivable within the ball-receiving-cavity in the yoke the ball including a slot extending therethrough along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and having a predetermined width which is defined by first and second walls within the ball; a disc-shaped insert receivable within the slot of the ball the insert having a predetermined diameter approximating the width of the slot through the ball and including a passageway extending therethrough; and connection structure for interconnecting the ball and the yoke, the connection structure consisting of a pin extending through the passageway in the insert and interconnected to the yoke whereby the shaft is pivotable about the pin. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The universal joint of claim 1 wherein the slot in the ball has a predetermined height, the height of the slot approximating the height of the disk. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The universal joint of claim 1 wherein the second end of the shaft is threaded. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The universal joint of claim 1 wherein the yoke includes a base having a generally cylindrical outer wall projecting therefrom, the outer wall partially defining the ball-receiving cavity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The universal joint of claim 4 wherein the base includes a key-receiving slot therein. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The universal joint of claim 4 wherein the outer wall of the yoke includes first and second apertures therethrough, the apertures being in axial alignment with each other, and wherein the connection structure includes a pin extending through the apertures in the outer wall of the yoke and through the ball. ### Claim 7 A universal joint, comprising: a generally cup-shaped yoke having a base and a generally cylindrical wall projecting therefrom, the wall partially defining a cavity therein and including first and second apertures therethrough, the apertures being in axial alignment with each other; a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and having a ball on a first end thereof, the ball receivable in the cavity in the yoke and including a slot therethrough having a height and width which is defined by first and second walls within the ball; a disc-shaped insert receivable within the slot of the ball, the disc-shaped insert having a passageway extending therethrough; and mounting structure for pivotably supporting the ball in the cavity in the yoke, the mounting structure consisting of a pin extending through the apertures in the wall of the yoke and through the passageway through the insert. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The universal joint of claim 7 wherein the diameter of the insert approximates the height of the slot in the ball. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The universal joint of claim 7 wherein the base of the yoke includes a key-receiving slot therein.