Axial retaining member and method for interconnecting male and female

Abstract

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.