Universal joint assembly

A universal joint assembly for a drive mechanism, the joint assembly comprising:

• a first rotatable shaft;
• a second rotatable shaft;
• and
• a universal joint member configured to transmit torque between the first and second shafts, the universal joint member comprising:
• a first pivot axis pivotally connected to the first shaft, the first pivot axis extending essentially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the first shaft;
• and
• a second pivot axis pivotally connected to the second shaft, the second pivot axis extending essentially perpendicular to the first pivot axis and essentially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the second shaft;
• wherein a pivot pin connects the joint member to the second shaft, the pivot pin provided within a cavity that extends through the universal joint member along the second pivot axis.

A drive mechanism for a vehicle, wherein the drive mechanism includes a universal joint assembly, the joint assembly comprising:

• a first rotatable shaft;
• a second rotatable shaft;
• and
• a universal joint member which transmits torque between the first and second shafts, the universal joint member comprising:
• a first pivot axis pivotally connected to the first shaft, the first pivot axis extending essentially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the first shaft;
• and
• a second pivot axis pivotally connected to the second shaft, the second pivot axis extending essentially perpendicular to the first pivot axis and essentially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the second shaft,
• wherein a pivot pin connects the joint member to the second shaft, the pivot pin provided within a cavity that extends through the universal joint member along the second pivot axis.