Patent ID: 7942748
Filing Date: 2011-05-17
Classification: A01D,F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A shock protection apparatus for use in a driveline for rotationally connecting drive and driven members of the driveline, said apparatus comprising: a driveline including a drive member having an external spline structure; a hub having a generally opposing first and second sides and a rotational centerline; a cylindrical opening in said hub for receiving said drive member, said opening extending between said first and second sides and aligned with said rotational centerline, a plurality of internal frangible spline structures disposed on the interior surface of said cylindrical opening in engagement with the external spline structure of the drive member for torque transferring, each of said plurality of spline structures having a length along said rotational centerline extending from said first side to said second side and a height measured radially, the drive member engaging said opening for substantially said length; and a groove positioned in said cylindrical opening, said groove extending around at least a portion of the circumference of said cylindrical opening, a plane defined by said groove being generally perpendicular to said rotational axis, said groove further having a width measured parallel to said rotational axis and a depth measured perpendicularly to said rotational axis thereby dividing one or more of said plurality of spline structures into first and second portions, wherein both portions of the spline are positioned and configured for generally concurrent shearing upon receiving a predetermined threshold breakaway torque from the drive member.