Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly, such as a differential, including a tubular housing having a polygonal cross-section including a plurality of angularly related surfaces and a torque transmitting member within the housing having flat surfaces engaging the flat surfaces of the housing, such that torque is transmitted through the housing. In a differential, the torque transmitting member includes annular side gears having a plurality of annular teeth and annular pinion gears including gear teeth meshing with the gear teeth of the side gears.

Abstract: A method of forming a housing which includes roll forming a steel tube radially inwardly with a plurality of rollers each having a rolling axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube, the rollers compressing the tube and forming reduced diameter portions and enlarged diameter portions. The method then includes cutting the tube perpendicular to the longitudinal axis generally midway through an enlarged diameter portion and a reduced diameter portion, forming a plurality of minor image preforms. Finally, the method includes cold working the preforms into the desired shape of the housing and increasing the strength of the steel at least 15% and forming a housing member having enlarged diameter open end and a reduced diameter open end.

Abstract: A rotational assembly includes a mating surface and an interlocking surface disposed in driving engagement with a cooperable interlocking member of a driving mechanism. A plurality of receptors is defined in the mating surface. A bearing element is received in each of the plurality of receptors for reducing frictional interaction between the mating surface of the rotational assembly and a complementary mating surface of an interacting component. A retainer is defined in the mating surface at each of the receptors providing rotational retention of each of the bearing elements within its corresponding receptor.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for a vehicle transmission includes a housing defined by a wall having an annular configuration circumscribing a clutch axis. The wall extends between an open end and a floor. The floor extends inwardly from the wall toward the clutch axis. A plurality of splines formed in the wall and each is spaced from the open end of the housing. A snap ring retains clutch plates in the housing. The open end of the wall is deformed inwardly toward the clutch axis defining a retainer for retaining the snap ring within the housing.

Abstract: A method of making a universal joint from a tube, including forming a plurality of pairs of coaxially aligned holes at longitudinally spaced locations in the tube, cutting the tube along a curvilinear cutting path around the holes forming a pair of projecting arms and U-shaped recesses between the arms forming a plurality of yokes and pivotally interconnecting the yokes using a pivot member received in the holes of adjacent yokes.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a housing defining an axis. A plurality of plates disposed within the housing are in driving engagement with the housing around the axis. The housing defines a housing wall circumscribing the axis and having a sinusoidal configuration including a wall crest and a wall trough. The wall crest and the wall trough are substantially parallel to the axis defined by the housing. The plates have teeth complimentary of the sinusoidal configuration of the housing wall for engaging the housing wall enabling the driving engagement between the housing wall and the plates.

Abstract: A housing for use with a clutch assembly includes an annular wall disposed around an axis and extending between an open end of the housing and a floor of the housing with the floor extending toward the axis. A plurality of splines are spaced around the annular wall and extends between the open end and the floor. The splines define a work surface for engaging teeth of a clutch plate with the work surface being fractured from the annular wall providing a substantially normal relationship to the annular wall.

Abstract: A rotational assembly includes a mating surface and an interlocking surface disposed in driving engagement with a cooperable interlocking member of a driving mechanism. A plurality of receptors is defined in the mating surface. A bearing element is received in each of the plurality of receptors for reducing frictional interaction between the mating surface of the rotational assembly and a complementary mating surface of an interacting component. A retainer is defined in the mating surface at each of the receptors providing rotational retention of each of the bearing elements within its corresponding receptor.

Abstract: A rotational assembly includes a mating surface and an interlocking surface disposed in driving engagement with a cooperable interlocking member of a driving mechanism. A plurality of receptors is defined in the mating surface. A bearing element is received in each of the plurality of receptors for reducing frictional interaction between the mating surface of the rotational assembly and a complimentary mating surface of an interacting component. A retainer is defined in the mating surface at each of the receptors providing rotational retention of each of the bearing elements within its corresponding receptor.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for a vehicle transmission includes a housing defined by a wall having an annular configuration circumscribing a clutch axis. The wall extends between an open end and a floor. The floor extends inwardly from the wall toward the clutch axis. A plurality of splines formed in the wall and each is spaced from the open end of the housing. A snap ring retains clutch plates in the housing. The open end of the wall is deformed inwardly toward the clutch axis defining a retainer for retaining the snap ring within the housing.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for a vehicle transmission includes a housing defined by a wall having an annular configuration circumscribing a clutch axis. The wall extends between an open end and a floor. The floor extends inwardly from the wall toward the clutch axis. A plurality of splines formed in the wall and each is spaced from the open end of the housing. A snap ring retains clutch plates in the housing. The open end of the wall is deformed inwardly toward the clutch axis defining a retainer for retaining the snap ring within the housing.

Abstract: A method of making a universal joint from a tube, including forming a plurality of pairs of coaxially aligned holes at longitudinally spaced locations in the tube, cutting the tube along a curvilinear cutting path around the holes forming a pair of projecting arms and U-shaped recesses between the arms forming a plurality of yokes and pivotally interconnecting the yokes using a pivot member received in the holes of adjacent yokes.

Abstract: A housing for use with a clutch assembly includes an annular wall disposed around an axis and extending between an open end of the housing and a floor of the housing with the floor extending toward the axis. A plurality of splines are spaced around the annular wall and extends between the open end and the floor. The splines define a work surface for engaging teeth of a clutch plate with the work surface being fractured from the annular wall providing a substantially normal relationship to the annular wall.

Abstract: A structural metal tube having a variable thickness varying between a minimum thickness and a maximum thickness providing structural rigidity and support for the tube. The structural tube may be polygonal, such as rectangular and utilized as an automotive A pillar, wherein the thicker wall provides a support for a hinge plate. The method includes rolling the desired configuration of the tube and welding the thinner edges.

Abstract: A method of forming a housing which includes roll forming a steel tube radially inwardly with a plurality of rollers each having a rolling axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube, the rollers compressing the tube and forming reduced diameter portions and enlarged diameter portions. The method then includes cutting the tube perpendicular to the longitudinal axis generally midway through an enlarged diameter portion and a reduced diameter portion, forming a plurality of mirror image preforms. Finally, the method includes cold working the preforms into the desired shape of the housing and increasing the strength of the steel at least 15% and forming a housing member having enlarged diameter open end and a reduced diameter open end.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for a vehicle transmission includes a housing defined by a wall having an annular configuration circumscribing a clutch axis. The wall extends between an open end and a floor. The floor extends inwardly from the wall toward the clutch axis. A plurality of splines formed in the wall and each is spaced from the open end of the housing. A snap ring retains clutch plates in the housing. The open end of the wall is deformed inwardly toward the clutch axis defining a retainer for retaining the snap ring within the housing.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly for a vehicle includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The second tubular member is mated to the first tubular member. The first tubular member defines a plurality of protuberances and the second tubular member includes a plurality of apertures. Each of the plurality of apertures receives one of the plurality of protuberances substantially affixing the first tubular member to the second tubular member in a circumferential orientation.