Abstract: Systems are provided for reducing an input weight to net weight ratio of an axle shaft, by eliminating a flange used to couple a shaft of the axle to a wheel of the vehicle. A conventional axle shaft may be bolted to the wheel via wheel bolts that extend through holes in the flange. In one example, an axle shaft is provided that includes splines at both ends, where one end of the axle shaft is coupled to the wheel drum via a splined connection, and are held in place by a lock nut and lock pin, eliminating a reliance on the axle flange. As a result, an amount of material wasted during forging of the axle is reduced, and an assembly/disassembly of the axle may be simplified. Additionally, a torque transmitting capability of the axle shaft may be increased.

Abstract: A retention device comprising at least one main body member and one or more anchoring members. The main body member may comprise a plurality of retainer loops, which may traverse along a longitudinal axis of the main body member and may be adapted to retain one or more objects. The anchoring members may comprise at least a first anchoring member and a second anchoring member. The anchoring members may further comprise one or more shafts and one or more bases. The main body member may extend between the first anchoring member and the second anchoring member and may be removably coupled to the anchoring members. The plurality of retainer loops may be adapted to engage the shafts of the anchoring members. The bases of the anchoring members may be adapted to removably attach the anchoring members to a surface.