Cam bar centering mechanism

A universal joint comprising:

• (a) first and second shafts;
• (b) coupling means for transmitting torque from the first shaft to the second shaft;
• (c) centering means interconnecting the first shaft and the second shaft for causing the second shaft to move at the same angle relative to the coupling means as does the first shaft, the centering means comprising a first cam rod and a second cam rod rotatably coupled to the first cam rod, wherein:
• (i) each cam rod includes a first straight section and a second straight section,
• (ii) each straight section has a longitudinal axis,
• (iii) the longitudinal axes of the two straight sections form an angle, and
• (iv) the angle of the first cam rod is equal to the angle of the second cam rod.

A universal joint comprising:

• (a) first and second shafts;
• (b) coupling means for transmitting torque from the first shaft to the second shaft;
• (c) centering means interconnecting the first shaft and the second shaft for causing the second shaft to move at the same angle relative to the coupling means as does the first shaft, the centering means comprising a first cam rod and second cam rod longitudinally aligned at equal angles within a cam tube, wherein:
• (i) each cam rod includes a first straight section and a second straight section,
• (ii) each straight section has a longitudinal axis,
• (iii) the longitudinal axes of the two straight sections form an angle, and
• (iv) the angle of the first cam rod is equal to the angle of the second cam rod.

A universal joint comprising:

• (a) first and second shafts;
• (b) coupling means for transmitting torque from the first shaft to the second shaft;
• (c) centering means interconnecting the first shaft and the second shaft for causing the second shaft to move at the same angle relative to the coupling means as does the first shaft, the centering means comprising a first cam rod and a second cam rod longitudinally aligned with and rotatably connected to the first cam rod by a plurality of bent rods, wherein:
• (i) each cam rod includes a first straight section and a second straight section,
• (ii) each straight section has a longitudinal axis,
• (iii) the longitudinal axes of the two straight sections form an angle, and
• (iv) the angle of the first cam rod is equal to the angle of the second cam rod.

A universal connector comprising:

• (a) a first cam rod;
• (b) a second cam rod;
• (c) a cam tube, wherein the first cam rod is rotatably coupled to the second cam rod, and wherein both cam rods are rotatably supported at equal angles within the cam tube;
• (d) connection means for connecting the first cam rod to a first member and for connecting the second cam rod to a second member, wherein:
• (i) each cam rod includes a first straight section and a second straight section,
• (ii) each straight section has a longitudinal axis,
• (iii) the longitudinal axes of the two straight sections form an angle, and
• (iv) the angle of the first cam rod is equal to the angle of the second cam rod.

A universal joint comprising:

• (a) first and second rings, each ring comprising a plurality of ring segments which are fitted together end-to-end in a manner to mechanically retain the ring segments together;
• (b) first and second yokes disposed within the first and second rings, respectively;
• (c) first and second shafts;
• (d) first pin means pivotally interconnecting the first yoke and the first ring;
• (e) second pin means pivotally interconnecting the first shaft and the first ring;
• (f) third pin means pivotally interconnecting the second yoke and the second ring;
• (g) fourth pin means interconnecting the second shaft and the second ring;
• (h) a coupling means interconnecting the first yoke and the second yoke;
• (I) a plurality of bearing means receiving the pin means.

A centering means for a universal joint comprising first and second shafts and a coupling means for transmitting torque from the first shaft to the second shaft,

• the centering means including means for interconnecting the first shaft and the second shaft for causing the second shaft to move at the same angle relative to the coupling means as does the first shaft, and
• the centering means comprising a first cam rod and a second cam rod rotatably coupled to the first cam rod, wherein:
• (i) each cam rod includes a first straight section and a second straight section,
• (ii) each straight section has a longitudinal axis,
• (iii) the longitudinal axes of the two straight sections form an angle, and
• (iv) the angle of the first cam rod is equal to the angle of the second cam rod.