Patent ID: 6428236
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
An expansion shaft comprising a first and a second shaft section aligned on the same axis, the expansion shaft further comprising:a fit hole formed at the first shaft section for receiving the second shaft section; a thin shaft portion defined on the second shaft section; a pair of thick shaft portions formed on the second shaft section as axially sandwiching the thin shaft portion on the second shaft section therebetween; a groove and a ridge respectively formed in an inner circumferential surface of the fit hole and on the thick shaft portions for coming into fitting engagement thereby integrally rotatably interconnecting the first and second shaft sections while allowing the shaft sections to axially move relative to each other; and a resilient member interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the fit hole of the first shaft section and an opposite outer peripheral surface of the second shaft section for preventing the shaft sections from radially moving relative to each other, wherein the resilient member includes only one C-shaped snap ring resiliently clamping the thin shaft portion, and at least one arm, said arm extended to a free end thereof, from the snap ring in an axial direction of the second shaft section and serving to press against the inner circumferential surface of the fit hole of the first shaft section.