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A universal joint assembly which includes a first and a second yoke operatively interconnected by a trunnion cross arranged therebetween is formed with a generally centrally located bore extending through the trunnion cross between the first and the second yoke with a bolt extending within the bore interconnecting the first and second yoke through the trunnion cross. One end of the bolt is attached to a radially movable member in the first yoke and lock means are provided for locking the radially movable element in any selected position in order to fix the position of a connecting member joined to the second yoke so that interconnection of torque transmitting elements may be facilitated.

The present invention relates generally to universal joint assemblies and more particularly to a universal joint which is composed of a pair of yokes interconnected by a trunnion cross arranged therebetween. The yokes of the joint assembly of the type to which the present invention relates have bores with cylindrical bearing pins to support the trunnion cross relative thereto in axially fixed position and hollow cylindrical bearing members containing rolling or sliding bodies may possibly also be provided. The trunnion cross in the joint of the type to which the invention relates has a generally centrally located bore extending perpendicularly to the plane of the pins and each of the yokes has a centrally arranged bore.

In universal joints known in the prior art, for example German Pat. No. 3,711,177, which are intended for use in rolling mills, angle limitation must be provided which operates independently from the angle of rotation of the universal joint shaft and independently of the torque to be transmitted by the universal joint shaft. However, disadvantages have arisen in this connection in that, although the angle of the universal joint shaft may be limited in the case of a change of rollers, it is not always possible to insure that the connecting wobblers of various universal joint shafts which are to be individually connected with the universal joint assembly during a roll change will be aligned parallel to each other.

This disadvantage produces a negative influence in the case of a roller change because a set of rollers consisting of at least two rolls will be changed in each case. An advantageous set-up time is achieved only when the connecting wobblers are properly aligned during the assembly of the rolls.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention is directed toward the construction of a universal joint shaft assembly which does not involve limiting the diameter of rotation in such a way that the bending angle of each universal joint must be limited to a selected value during the stand still of the universal joint shaft assembly.

The present invention may be generally described as a universal joint assembly which comprises first and second yoke means with trunnion cross means therebetween connecting said first and second yoke means for torque transmission. A generally centralized bore is defined to extend through the trunnion cross means between the first and second yoke means and bolt means extending within the bore connected between the first and second yoke means through the trunnion cross means is arranged with one end connected at the first yoke means through radially movable means in the first yoke means. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the objects of the invention are obtained in that the bolt means beginning from the bore in the first yoke means is connected to the second yoke means and is angularly movably received in the radially movable element of the first yoke means. By means of the present invention, a locking device is provided whereby the radially movable element may be fixed in any desired position.

In accordance with the present invention, advantages are derived in that the assembly may be adjusted at any bending angle which may be selected independently from the angle of rotation of the universal joint shaft. Therefore, in the case of a roll change, it is possible to fix the connecting wobbler in that position which had existed prior to the disassembly of a prior set of rolls. The angle of inclination of the universal joint shafts is not important in this connection.

In order to insure an appropriate locking action of the connecting wobbler at the appropriate position, it is provided in accordance with another essential feature of the invention that the locking device be comprised of a pressure member which is operated hydraulically, pneumatically or mechanically and which is guided in an axially extending bore.

In this regard it is advantageous in generating a force acting upon the locking device that there may be utilized means which are already present in a roll stand, such as a hydraulic system.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an intermediate member formed of a material having a high coefficient of firction is arranged between the end face of the pressure member and the surface of the radially movable element facing toward the pressure member and/or the surface of the element facing toward the recess of a yoke.

By means of such intermediate members, which may for example be friction linings, it is possible to easily fix at a certain value the appropriate parts which are made of steel so that appropriate angle positioning may be maintained.

It is further provided in accordance with the present invention that at least one hydraulically, pneumatically or mechanically operated pressure member which cooperates with the bolt through a spherical element be provided as the locking device.

By means of a pressure cylinder of this type it is possible to correct or change an already adjusted angle even after disassembly of a set of rollers, inasmuch as the pressure will act on the bolt at a right angle.

In order to enable adjustment of the entire joint shaft assembly in any selected manner, wherein its universal joint shafts are fixed at either end, it is provided in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, when two universal joint shafts are used which are connected by an intermediate shaft, to arrange the bolt in the first yoke means with the internal shaft extending from the first yoke of one universal joint to the first yoke of the other universal joint, wherein the internal shaft disposed in the interior of the intermediate shaft may be angularly movably supported with the same spacing from both universal joints.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention it is provided that an intermediate bearing of the internal shaft has unequal spacing from the two universal joints.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention .