Abstract: A shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a joint assembly having a first joint member, a second joint member and one or more third joint members drivingly connecting said first and second joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft is drivingly connected to the second joint member. Circumferentially extending from at least a portion of an outer surface of a second end portion of the first shaft is a first and second increased diameter portion having a wall portion that connects the first increased diameter portion to the second increased diameter portion. Drivingly connected to the second increased diameter portion of the first shaft is a second shaft. During a crash condition, an amount of force is applied to the wall portion until it fractures and at least a portion of the first shaft and/or the joint assembly translates into a hollow portion of the second shaft.

Abstract: A quick connect assembly and a retaining member for use in a vehicle. The quick connect assembly includes a first splined member (712) drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second splined member (740). Circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an inner surface (718) of the first splined member is a first splined member retaining member groove (738). The second splined member includes a second splined member retaining member groove (758) circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of the second splined member. The second splined member retaining member groove in the second splined member is complementary to and aligned with the first splined member retaining member groove in the first splined member. At least a portion of a retaining member (760) is received and/or retained within at least a portion of the first and second splined member retaining member grooves in the first and second splined members.

Abstract: A joint assembly having a first joint member drivingly connected to a second joint member by a third joint member. The first joint member of the joint assembly has a first yoke arm with a first yoke arm aperture defined by a first yoke arm aperture surface and a second yoke arm with a second yoke arm aperture defined by a second yoke arm aperture surface. The joint assembly M further includes one or more bearing cup assemblies having a bearing cup with a base portion and a tubular portion. At least a portion of the bearing cup assemblies are received and/or retained within at least a portion of the first yoke arm aperture and the second yoke arm aperture of the first joint member. One or more attachment portions extend outboard from at least a portion of an outer surface of the base portion of the bearing cup.

Abstract: A joint assembly (10) including a female member (12), a male member (40) and a retaining member (60). The female member has a first axial end (18), a second axial end (20) and a cylindrical body portion (14) extending between the first axial end and the second axial end having a splined radially inner surface. The male member has a first axial end portion (42), a second axial end portion (46), and a splined tubular portion (44) extending between the first axial end portion and the second axial end portion. The retaining member (60) includes an annular portion and a plurality of attachment features defining an aperture. The second axial end portion of the male member has a circumferential groove (48) on the outer surface thereof. The second axial end portion of the male member extends through the aperture of the retaining member and the attachment features extend into the groove of the male member.

Abstract: A coupling assembly having a first member drivingly connected to a second member via one or more third members. A first shaft is drivingly connected to the first member and a second shaft is drivingly connected to the second member. The second member includes a flange portion having one or more seating portions on a first end portion of the flange. Additionally, the flange has one or more flange portion attachment apertures extending from the seating portions to a second end portion of the flange. An increased diameter portion of the second shaft has one or more increased diameter portion apertures extending from a first end portion to a second end portion. The flange portion apertures and the increased diameter portion apertures have a center-line with an angle from an axial center-line of the assembly. Additionally, the seating portions have an angle relative to a radial center-line of the assembly.

Abstract: A coupling assembly having a first member drivingly connected to a second member via one or more third members. A first shaft is drivingly connected to the first member and a second shaft is drivingly connected to the second member. The second member includes a flange portion having one or more seating portions on a first end portion of the flange. Additionally, the flange has one or more flange portion attachment apertures extending from the seating portions to a second end portion of the flange. An increased diameter portion of the second shaft has one or more increased diameter portion apertures extending from a first end portion to a second end portion. The flange portion apertures and the increased diameter portion apertures have a center-line with an angle from an axial center-line of the assembly. Additionally, the seating portions have an angle relative to a radial center-line of the assembly.

Abstract: A quick connect assembly and a retaining member for use in a vehicle. The quick connect assembly includes a first splined member (712) drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second splined member (740). Circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an inner surface (718) of the first splined member is a first splined member retaining member groove (738). The second splined member includes a second splined member retaining member groove (758) circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of the second splined member. The second splined member retaining member groove in the second splined member is complementary to and aligned with the first splined member retaining member groove in the first splined member. At least a portion of a retaining member (760) is received and/or retained within at least a portion of the first and second splined member retaining member grooves in the first and second splined members.

Abstract: A shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a joint assembly having a first joint member, a second joint member and one or more third joint members drivingly connecting said first and second joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft is drivingly connected to the second joint member. Circumferentially extending from at least a portion of an outer surface of a second end portion of the first shaft is a first and second increased diameter portion having a wall portion that connects the first increased diameter portion to the second increased diameter portion. Drivingly connected to the second increased diameter portion of the first shaft is a second shaft. During a crash condition, an amount of force is applied to the wall portion until it fractures and at least a portion of the first shaft and/or the joint assembly translates into a hollow portion of the second shaft.

Abstract: A joint assembly having a first joint member drivingly connected to a second joint member by a third joint member. The first joint member of the joint assembly has a first yoke arm with a first yoke arm aperture defined by a first yoke arm aperture surface and a second yoke arm with a second yoke arm aperture defined by a second yoke arm aperture surface. The joint assembly M further includes one or more bearing cup assemblies having a bearing cup with a base portion and a tubular portion. At least a portion of the bearing cup assemblies are received and/or retained within at least a portion of the first yoke arm aperture and the second yoke arm aperture of the first joint member. One or more attachment portions extend outboard from at least a portion of an outer surface of the base portion of the bearing cup.

Abstract: A joint assembly (10) including a female member (12), a male member (40) and a retaining member (60). The female member has a first axial end (18), a second axial end (20) and a cylindrical body portion (14) extending between the first axial end and the second axial end having a splined radially inner surface. The male member has a first axial end portion (42), a second axial end portion (46), and a splined tubular portion (44) extending between the first axial end portion and the second axial end portion. The retaining member (60) includes an annular portion and a plurality of attachment features defining an aperture. The second axial end portion of the male member has a circumferential groove (48) on the outer surface thereof. The second axial end portion of the male member extends through the aperture of the retaining member and the attachment features extend into the groove of the male member.

Abstract: A cross for a universal joint includes a body portion having a trunnion that extends outwardly therefrom. The trunnion includes a surface. A bearing cup is mounted on the trunnion. A retainer includes a first portion that is supported on the bearing cup, a second portion that extends at an angle from the first portion, and a third portion that extends at an angle from the second portion into engagement with the surface of said trunnion. The retainer allows the assembly of the bearing cup and the retainer to be installed on the trunnion with a relatively small force, but requires a relatively large force to remove the assembly of the bearing cup and the retainer from the trunnion.