Snap-in pivot pin for universal joints

Abstract

A universal joint employs snap-in press pins to rotatably secure the center knuckle with the surrounding drive shaft cup providing a simplified assembly process. The press pins install flush or sub-flush with the outside of the steering shaft cup. A snap-lock feature permits one-direction axial movement only. Each snap pin includes a barb-like tapered flange with a lead-in ramp to aid installation. Once installed, a radially extending base on the backside of the flange abuts the inside wall of the drive shaft cup.

1 . A rotatable pivot joint, comprising:
 a rotatable driving shaft pivotably connected to a rotatable driven shaft by a pivot joint there between whereby rotation is transmitted from the driving shaft to the driven shaft when there is an angular misalignment of the shafts;   a cup located at a distill end of the driving shaft;   said cup having opposing sides with opposite facing holes;   a center knuckle lying between said sides and being rotatably connected between said cup sides by a first pair of pins extending inwardly by snap-fit retention through said holes in said sides; and   said driven shaft being pivotably connected to said center knuckle by a second pair of diametrically opposed pins extending radially outward from said knuckle, said second pair of pins being offset radially 90° from said first pair of pins.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said first pins are identical and each includes a solid body portion at a bottom insertion end with a plurality of inwardly deflectable legs extending axially therefrom toward a opposite top end. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  further wherein each of said pins includes a central axial bore located between said legs. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein each of said first pins includes axially extending slots located circumferentially between adjacent legs of each of said pins. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein each of said first pins includes a segmented flange having circumferential portions located along outer surfaces of each of said legs and extending radially therefrom. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein each flange includes a ramp convergent toward the bottom insertion end of the pin. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein each flange includes a radially extending base which sits against a backside wall of the shaft cup sides in which it is retained.