Hydraulic cylinder with anti-rotation mounting for piston rod

A double-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston rod unit having fluid hoses for conducting fluid thereto. A generally flat outer end is provided on the piston or cylinder. A bracket has a spherical socket and either the piston rod end or cylinder has a spherical ball portion swively mounted in the socket. A yoke has a slot in which the generally flat end is slidably mounted for sliding in opposite directions. The flat end prevents relative rotation between the rod and cylinder about a longitudinal axis. Guide slots are provided and arranged at right angles to the yoke slot, the yoke being slidable in the guide slots whereby the unit can swivel about the socket and can slide in the opposite directions in the yoke and the unit can also move at right angles thereto by sliding with the yoke in the guide slots. The piston rod and cylinder are prevented from rotating relative to one another about their longitudinal axis and thereby prevent twisting of the hoses.