US4392839A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drive shaft construction
Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
•
Filing: 1981-02-26
•
Granted: 1983-07-12
•
Expires: 2001-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A drive shaft construction particularly for a motor vehicle including a hollow tubular shaft having a pair of end portions formed with a splined configuration adapted to receive driving joints is structured so that the tubular shaft is formed with an intermediate portion having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the end portions, with the wall thickness of the intermediate portion being between 1/8 and 1/15 of the outer diameter of the intermediate portions.
Inventors
- 👤 Erich Aucktor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:57
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C3/00; F16C3/02; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/20; F16D3/22; F16D3/223; F16D2003/22313; F16D3/226; F16D3/227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In a drive shaft construction for transmitting power in an automotive vehicle including an integral hollow tubular shaft having a pair of end portions formed with a splined configuration adapted for receiving driving joints, the improvement which comprises: that said tubular shaft is formed with a portion intermediate said end portions having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of said end portions; that the wall thickness of said intermediate portion is between 1/8 and 1/15 of said outer diameter of said intermediate portion; and that said tubular shaft includes two transition portions extending respectively between said intermediate portion and each of said end portions, said transition portions being formed as stepped configurations each including at least two steps and each having a wall thickness which increases from said larger-diameter intermediate portion to said smaller-diameter end portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a drive shaft construction for transmitting power in an automotive vehicle including an integral hollow tubular shaft having a pair of end portions formed with a splined configuration adapted for receiving driving joints, the improvement which comprises: that said tubular shaft is formed with a portion intermediate said end portions having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of said end portions; that the wall thickness of said intermediate portion is between 1/8 and 1/15 of said outer diameter of said intermediate portion; and that said tubular shaft includes two transition portions extending respectively between said intermediate portion and each of said end portions, said transition portions being formed as stepped configurations each including at least two steps and each having a wall thickness which increases from said larger-diameter intermediate portion to said smaller-diameter end portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A construction according to claim 1 wherein said end portions are formed with hollow openings, said hollow openings being closed by plug means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-07-11 | 1987-01-10 | 1987-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-11 | 1991-01-10 | 1991-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-11 | 1995-01-10 | 1995-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |