Universal Constant Velocity Joint System And Method Of Use

Abstract

This system and method is directed to A joint system comprising: a rings system having: a first pair of rings pivotally attached to each other by a first set of rotating housings, the first set of rotating housings being configured to rotate along a first axis and a second pair of rings pivotally attached to each other by a second set of rotating housings, the second set of rotating housings being configured to rotate along a second axis; a first sliding support subassembly configured to slidingly receive a first ring from the rings system; and a second sliding support subassembly configured to slidingly receive a second ring from the rings system; a primary gears system carried by and having a first and second primary gear wherein the first primary gear and the second primary gear are rotatably attached to a central connecting support.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A joint system comprising:
 a rings system having:
 a first elongated ring pivotally attached to a second elongated ring via a first rotating housing and a second rotating housing, the first rotating housing and the second rotating housing being configured to rotate along a first axis, and 
 a third elongated ring pivotally attached to a fourth elongated ring via a third rotating housing and a fourth rotating housing, the third rotating housing and the fourth rotating housing being configured to rotate along a second axis; 
   a first sliding support subassembly configured to slidingly receive the first elongated ring and slidingly receive the third elongated ring; and   a second sliding support subassembly configured to slidingly receive the second elongated ring and slidingly receive the fourth elongated ring;   a primary gears system carried by the rings system and having a first and second primary gear wherein the first primary gear and the second primary gear are rotatably attached to a central connecting support assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  including:
 a secondary gears system including a first secondary gear secured to the first rotating housing and a second secondary gear secured to rotating housing; 
 wherein pivoting movement of the first rotating housing causes pivoting movement of the first secondary gear; 
 wherein pivoting movement of rotating housing causes pivoting movement of the second secondary gear; and, 
 wherein the first secondary gear is positioned parallel and opposite to the second secondary gear. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  including:
 a third secondary gear included in the secondary gears system and secured to the third rotating housing; and 
 a fourth secondary gear included in the secondary gears system and secured to the fourth rotating housing; 
 wherein pivoting movement of the third rotating housing causes pivoting movement of the third secondary gear; 
 wherein pivoting movement of the fourth rotating housing causes pivoting movement of the fourth secondary gear; and 
 wherein the third secondary gear is positioned parallel and opposite to the fourth secondary gear. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein at least two of the gears in the secondary gear system are partially teethed around a periphery of a relative secondary gears bodies. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the first primary gear engages and meshes with the secondary gears system; and, 
 wherein the primary gears system and secondary gears can be located inside a rotation of the rings system. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  including
 a main body included in a central connecting support assembly; 
 a first central connecting support and a second central connecting support included in the central connecting support assembly; 
 a first connecting rod is connected to the main body of the central connecting support assembly and adapted to engage with the first rotating housing; and, 
 a second connecting rod is connected to the main body of the central connecting support assembly and adapted to engage with the second rotating housing. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  including:
 a third connecting rod is connected to the main body of the central connecting support assembly and adapted to engage with the third rotating housing; and, 
 a fourth connecting rod is connected to the main body of the central connecting support assembly and adapted to engage with the fourth rotating housing. 
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the joint system is configured to have a pitch and roll range of motion independent of each other. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the joint system is configured to receive rotatable input and output shafts. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a first nob replaces the first connecting rod;   a second nob replaces the second connecting rod;   a first actuator rotatably secured to first nob; and   a second actuator rotatably secured to the second nob.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first sliding support subassembly and the second sliding support subassembly are configured as rectangular blocks having side cuts. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  including a secondary gear carried by the first rotating housing wherein pivoting movement of the first rotating housing causes pivoting movement of the secondary gear. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the secondary gear is a first secondary gear and is positioned parallel and opposite to a second secondary gear carried by the first rotating housing. 
     
     
         14 . A joint system comprising:
 a rings system having:
 a first elongated ring pivotally attached to a second elongated ring via a first rotating housing, the first rotating housing being configured to rotate along a first axis and 
 a third elongated ring pivotally attached to a fourth elongated ring via a second rotating housing, the second rotating housing being configured to rotate along a second axis; 
   a first sliding support subassembly configured to slidingly receive the first elongated ring and slidingly receive the third elongated ring; and,   a second sliding support subassembly configured to slidingly receive the second elongated ring and slidingly receive the fourth elongated ring.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  including a primary gears system carried by the rings system and having a first and second primary gear wherein the first primary gear and the second primary gear are rotatably attached to a central connecting support. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  including a central connecting support assembly carried by at least one of the first elongated ring, the second elongated ring, the third elongated ring and the fourth elongated ring. 
     
     
         17 . A joint system comprising:
 a rings system having:
 a first pair of rings pivotally attached to each other by a first set of rotating housings, the first set of rotating housings being configured to rotate along a first axis and 
 a second pair of rings pivotally attached to each other by a second set of rotating housings, the second set of rotating housings being configured to rotate along a second axis; 
   a first sliding support subassembly configured to slidingly receive a first ring from the rings system; and   a second sliding support subassembly configured to slidingly receive a second ring from the rings system;   a primary gears system carried by and having a first and second primary gear wherein the first primary gear and the second primary gear are rotatably attached to a central connecting support.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the joint system is configured to have a pitch and roll range of motion independent of each other. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  including:
 a secondary gear secured to the first housing; and, 
 wherein pivoting movement of the first housing causes pivoting movement of the secondary gear. 
 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14  including a central connecting support assembly carried by the rings system.