Gkn Automotive Components, Inc.

Glenn F Gehrke

Daniel W Hazebrook

Michael J Schmidt

Noel W Sutton

A method of retaining a splined male member and a splined female member against relative axial motion therebetween when the splines of the members are in engagement with one another and a unitary axial retaining member for use in the practice of the method. The method includes the steps of mounting a hollow, thermoplastic axial retaining member to the interior surface of the female member and positively interconnecting the other end of the axial retaining member with the male member. The axial retaining member has an inwardly oriented flange for interconnecting one end of the retaining member to the male member and an outwardly oriented radial flange for interconnecting the opposite end of the retaining member to the female member. A plurality of longitudinal slots are optionally formed in one end of the retaining member to separate it into a plurality of flexible fingers to facilitate interconnection of that end of the retaining member with its associated male or female member. In one version of the axial retaining member, its radial thickness is substantially reduced along a longitudinal line that extends from the unslotted end thereof to one of the longitudinal slots, to facilitate the controlled separation of the axial retaining member along such longitudinal line when it is inserted over the male member, and in such version of the invention, some of the splines on the male member that engage the splines in the female member, are blocked to permit end loads on the joint using such members to be absorbed by the male and female members, without being imposed on the thermoplastic axial retaining member.

Axial retaining member and method for interconnecting male and female

A self-aligning tripod joint tulip cover for use in a tripod joint assembly that has an irregularly shaped, non-circular tulip body and a shaft mounted spider assembly, the tulip cover having a cylindrical flange that surrounds a portion of the tulip body, interconnecting projections extending from the cylindrical flange that are received in part annular recesses of part cylindrical outer surface portions of the tulip body to secure the tulip cover to the tulip body, the tulip body further having an annular flange that extends radially inwardly from the cylindrical flange to lie in close proximity to the front face of the tulip body and to trap a resilient, annular sealing member therebetween. The tulip body has a longitudinal recess therein and longitudinal tracks that extend radially outwardly from the recess, each such recess slidingly receiving a roller of the spider assembly to permit reciprocation of the spider assembly within the tulip body. The tulip cover also has longitudinally extending projections which extend from the annular flange into the tracks in the tulip body to help prevent relative rotational movement between the tulip cover and the tulip body. The tripod joint assembly also has an annular flexible sealing boot, one end of which is attached to the shaft of the spider assembly and the other end of which is attached to the outside of the cylindrical flange of the tulip cover and is maintained in such position by a constricting band. The tulip cover is molded in a single piece from a thermoplastic material.

Tripod constant velocity joint and sealing retainer therefor

An axial retaining member for retaining a male member and a female member against relative axial motion therebetween. The axial retaining member includes a longitudinally extending main body having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, and a central passageway therethrough for mounting the main body to the male member. Positive interconnection means, such as an inwardly oriented flange, are provided for interconnecting one end of the main body to the male member and a second interconnection means, such as an outwardly oriented radial flange, is provided for interconnecting the opposite end of the main body to the female member. A plurality of longitudinal slots are optionally formed in the main body to separate one end of the main body into a plurality of flexible fingers to facilitate interconnection of that end of the main body with its associated male or female member.

Axial retaining member

A constant velocity torque transmitting universal joint, utilizing spherical ball members arranged in a longitudinal groove of an inner joint member, is adapted to connect to a shaft and a longitudinal groove of an outer joint member. The outer joint member is connected to a second shaft so that the outer joint member may be displaced in an axial direction relative to the inner joint member. Therefore, the inner joint member may be displaced in an axial direction relative to the cage restraining member holding the spherical ball members in their mutually opposed grooves of their respective joint members. The cage restraining member permits the spherical ball members to roll in their respective grooves for a short distance prior to skidding to reduce the overall resistance to axial movement effort prior to skidding as a result of the friction torque relationship of the joint. This is accomplished by providing a relatively flat or cylindrical surface on the outer periphery of the inner body member for a relatively short axial portion and blending appropriate spherical radii with the surface in order to provide sufficient clearance between the inner joint member and the inner surface of the cage. By providing this relatively flat portion to the outer surface of the inner body member, the start of the displacement of the spherical ball members with respect to the outer joint member is considerably facilitated since the spherical ball members can roll in their respective longitudinal grooves prior to skidding.

Growing community of inventors

Brighton, MI, United States of America

Glenn F Gehrke