UNIVERSAL JOINT ABSTRACT

A universal coupler is a specialized rotary joint used to allow a rotating shaft to deflect along its
axis in any direction. This flexibility is achieved by constructing the joint with two U-shaped
yokes joined by a cross-shaped hub. One yoke is attached to the end of each portion of the split
shaft and joined with the cross hub, with the U-sections orientated at 90 to each other. This
arrangement allows the horizontal primary shaft to drive the inclined shaft with no undue friction
or loss of speed or drive output potential. Also known as a universal joint, Cardan joint, or Ujoint, this coupler allows a solid or hollow, two-piece drive shaft to "bend" in any direction and at
a wide range of deflection values without losing any of the original drive potential. These are
commonly used on propeller shafts joining gearboxes to the wheels of vehicles and on hand tools
to allow access to difficult places.