Abstract:
A connection apparatus includes a first flange member having a threaded portion; a second flange member having a threaded portion; a central annular connecting flange positioned in between the first and second flanges; a pair of cross trunnion assemblies being next to and on opposing sides of the annular connecting flange; a pair of threaded collars connecting each trunnion assembly to the connecting flange and a flange; a plurality of key and slot connections that provide an interlocking interface between each flange and each trunnion assembly; and bolted connections the secure each trunnion assembly to the central annular connecting flange.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a non provisional patent application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/394,106, filed Oct. 18, 2010. 
     Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/394,106, filed Oct. 18, 2010, hereby incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates primarily to methods for quickly disconnecting driveshafts and couplings from driving and driven flanges with a threaded collar. More particularly, the present invention relates primarily to a method of quickly connecting and disconnecting a Cross-Tooth Propeller Shaft Flange, type T as in International Standard ISO 12667 with a threaded collar. A second embodiment of the present invention relates primarily to a method of quickly connecting and disconnecting a wing bearing style universal joint to a flange with a threaded collar. A third embodiment of the present invention relates to a short couple double wing bearing style universal with a quick disconnect threaded collar on each end. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     Typical means for attaching a coupling or universal joint to a driving or driven flange includes a plurality of bolts that fixedly attach the coupling or universal joint flange face to the face of the driving and driven flanges. Wing bearing and half-round universal joint styles employ a plurality of bolts to secure cross trunnion and bearing assemblies to driving yoke and flange components. In many driveline applications, 360° access is not available to properly remove and install all flange bolts. The present invention provides an improved method of attaching a coupling or universal joint to a driving or driven flange by providing a single locking collar that can fixedly secure a coupling or universal joint component to a driving or driven flange. By providing a collar with a shoulder that mates with a corresponding shoulder on the coupling or universal joint and a threaded section within the collar that mates with a corresponding threaded section on the of the flange, then the coupling or universal joint can then be attached to the flange in a secure manner. 
     This method of attaching a coupling or universal joint to a flange is advantageous over other means because proper torque can be applied to the collar from any position where access is available. Other attachment means can have bolts that can only be accessed from the opposite side of the shaft making proper installation difficult or impossible in confined spaces. 
     The components of the present invention preferably employ a grooved flange face having a cross-tooth propeller shaft flange, type T as in International Standard ISO 12667, which mates with corresponding teeth on the coupling or universal joint. A collar that has a shoulder and a threaded section whereby the collar can be placed over the coupling or universal joint flange and threaded onto the mating driving or driven flange therein securing the coupling or universal joint to the flange. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,540,617 B2 5,746,659; 5,586,652; 5,431,507; 4,191,487; 4,053,248; 3,623,573 and 958,927 are incorporated herein by reference, and disclose various connecting means using toothed components for connecting driveshafts and tubing. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a collar is used to attach a CORNAY® (preferably) or other universal or constant velocity joint flange to a driving or driven flange wherein each flange face has a series of cross toothed grooves that mate with corresponding toothed grooves on the mating flange. This embodiment of the present invention is advantageous over bolting style flanges because only a few turns of the collar will securely attach one flange to the other making the processing of connecting and disconnecting a driveshaft quick and easy. Preferably, there is a locking system on the collar which prevents inadvertent unscrewing of the connection. 
     In a second embodiment of the present invention a collar is used to attach a wing style bearing of a universal joint to a flange in a driveshaft. This second embodiment of the present invention is advantageous over bolted style wing bearings in applications where access to wing bearing bolts is limited due to surrounding components. This second embodiment of the present invention is also advantageous over bolting style wing bearings because only a few turns of the collar will securely attach the wing bearings to the mating flange, making the processing of connecting and disconnecting a driveshaft employing wing bearings quick and easy. Preferably, there is a locking system on the collar which prevents inadvertent unscrewing of the connection. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a partially sectional view through section A-A of  FIG. 6  of Driveshaft Coupling  100 , the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric perspective view exploded view of Driveshaft Coupling  100 , the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view of the driving/driven flange face; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric perspective exploded view of Driveshaft Coupling  100 , the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view of the Cornay® universal or constant velocity joint flange face; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling  100 , the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view from the driving/driven flange side; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling  100 , the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view from the Cornay® universal or constant velocity joint side; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially sectional view of Driveshaft Coupling  100 , the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing section A-A; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of Driveshaft Coupling  200 , the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention through section A-A of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of Driveshaft Coupling  200 , the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing section B-B of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric perspective exploded view of Driveshaft Coupling  200 , the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view from the threaded sleeve side; 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling  200 , the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view from the wing bearing yoke side showing section A-A; 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling  200 , the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view from the threaded flange side showing section B-B; 
         FIG. 12  is a an isometric perspective exploded view of Driveshaft Coupling  200 , the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view from the threaded collar side; 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling  300 , the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing section A-A; 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling  300 , the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing section B-B; 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view of Driveshaft Coupling  300 , the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention through section A-A of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view of Driveshaft Coupling  300 , the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention through section B-B of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling  300 , the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a an isometric perspective exploded view of Driveshaft Coupling  300 , the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Driveshaft Coupling  100  includes cross toothed driving flange  101 , collar  103 , universal joint or coupling cross toothed flange yoke  105 , retaining and locking ring  102  and retaining ring  104 . 
     Although a Cornay® constant velocity joint  10  (of the type shown in Cornay Company U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,353, and commercially available from Cornay Company as model no. CVX-30) is shown in this example of the preferred embodiment, other types of Cardan, Hooks, Double Cardan, Rzeppa, Tripot and various other types of universal joints, constant velocity joints, and flexible and rigid driveshaft couplings can also employ this attachment means.
         Driveshaft Coupling  100 , shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , can be assembled by the following method:
 
First: Assemble collar  103  onto cross-toothed coupling flange  105  of coupling. Retaining ring  104  is installed over cross-toothed coupling flange  105  by spreading open the coils of the retaining ring  104  and feeding the retaining ring  104  over and behind the face of flange  105  of constant velocity joint or coupling  116  and feeding the coils around until the retaining ring  104  is on the side of the face of flange  105  opposite to cross teeth  109 . Collar  103  is then inserted over cross-toothed coupling flange  105  so that retaining ring  104  can be installed into groove  110  of collar  103 .
 
Second: Assemble retaining and locking ring  102  onto cross-toothed threaded flange  101 . Retaining and locking ring  102  is installed onto cross-toothed threaded flange  101  such that tabs  114  engage with grooves  111  of cross-toothed threaded flange  101  and retaining and locking ring  102  abuts against shoulder  115  of cross-toothed threaded flange  101 .
 
Third: Cross-toothed coupling flange  105  is attached to cross-toothed threaded flange  101 . Flanges  101  and  105  are brought together such that the teeth  109  of cross-toothed coupling flange  105  mates with the teeth  108  of cross-toothed threaded flange  101 . Collar  103  is screwed onto cross-toothed threaded flange  101  by the engagement of threads  107  of collar  103  with threads  106  of flange  101 .
 
Fourth: After sufficient torque has been applied to collar  103  to remove all free play then one or more of tabs  113  of retaining and locking ring  102  are folded into grooves  112  of collar  103  thereby preventing collar  103  from unscrewing.
       

     Driveshaft Coupling  200 , shown in  FIGS. 7-12 , includes wing bearing threaded flange  201 , wing bearing yoke  205 , collar  202 , cross-trunnion  208  and shouldered wing bearings  203 ,  204 ,  206  and  207 . 
     Driveshaft Coupling  200  can be assembled by the following method:
     First: Install collar  202  over wing bearing yoke  205 .   Second: Install wing bearings  206  and  207  onto trunnions  221  and  229  respectively.   Third: Install wing bearing  203  and  204  onto trunnions  230  and  228  respectively.   Fourth: Install wing bearing and cross trunnion assembly onto wing bearing yoke  205  such that keys  219  and  231  engage with notches  220  and  241 .   Fifth: Screw in bolts  209 - 212  into holes  235 - 238  of wing bearing yoke  205  until the proper torque has been reached.   Sixth: Install wing bearing, shouldered wing bearing, cross trunnion and wing bearing yoke and collar assembly onto wing bearing threaded flange  201  such that keys  218  and  232  engage with notches  217  and  227 , and shoulders  222  and  233  engage with shoulder  223  of wing bearing threaded flange  201 .   Seventh: Screw collar  202  onto wing bearing threaded flange  201  by engaging a commercially available spanner wrench (not shown) or similar tool into notches  224  such that threads  215  of collar  202  engage with threads  216  of flange  201  and shoulder  213  (see  FIG. 12 ) of collar  202  engages with shoulders  214  and  234  (see  FIG. 9 ) of wing bearings  203  and  204  respectively.   Eighth: Fold one or more of lips  226  of collar  202  into one or more of notches  225  of shouldered wing bearings  203  and  204  [need to add ref numeral  225  to  204 ] to prevent unscrewing.   Driveshaft Coupling  200  can be partially assembled or disassembled by the following: Wing bearing yoke  205  of driveshaft coupling  200  may also be removed from, wing bearing threaded flange, collar, cross-trunnion and wing bearing assembly by removing bolts  209 - 212  through windows  239  and  240 .
       Driveshaft Coupling  300 , shown in  FIGS. 13-18 , includes wing bearing threaded flanges  301  and  304 , collars  302  and  303 , cross trunnion and wing bearing assemblies  320  and  330 , wing bearing connecting flange  305  and bolts  336 - 339  and bolts  340 - 343 .   Driveshaft Coupling  300  can be assembled by the following method (see  FIG. 18 ):   
       First: Place collars  302  and  303  over wing bearing connecting flange  305  such that shoulders  310  and  322  are near the center.   Second: Install wing bearing and cross trunnion assembly  330  onto wing bearing connecting flange  305  such that keys  352 ,  358 , engage with notches  348 ,  349  respectively, and shoulders  354  and  366  engage with shoulder  353  of wing bearing connecting flange  305 .   Third: Install wing bearing and cross trunnion assembly  320  onto wing bearing connecting flange  305  such that keys  350 ,  351  engage with notches  363 ,  364  respectively, and shoulders  355  and  331  engage with shoulder  367  of wing bearing connecting flange  305 .   Third: Install bolts  340 - 343  into holes of wing bearing and cross trunnion assembly  330 , and screw into holes  344 - 347  of connecting flange  305  respectively and tighten.   Fourth: Install bolts  336 - 339  into holes of wing bearing and cross-trunnion assembly  320  and screw into holes  344 - 347  of connecting flange  305  respectively and tighten.   Fifth: Install wing bearing, cross-trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly onto wing bearing threaded flange  301  such that keys  313 ,  315 , engage with notches  307 ,  308 , respectively and shoulders  314  and  316  engage with shoulder  365  of wing bearing threaded flange  301 .   Sixth: Screw collar  302  onto wing bearing threaded flange  301  by engaging a commercially available spanner wrench (not shown) or other tool into notches  312  of collar  302  such that threads  309  of collar  302  engage with threads  306  of wing bearing threaded flange  301  and shoulder  310  of collar  302  engages with shoulders  357  and  358  of wing bearing and cross trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly and tighten.   Seventh: Fold lip  311  into notch  356  and  359  of cross trunnion and wing bearing assembly  330  to prevent collar  302  from unscrewing.   Eighth: Install wing bearing, cross trunnion, wing bearing connecting flange and wing bearing threaded flange assembly onto wing bearing threaded flange  304  such that keys  321 ,  368 , engage with notches  326 ,  327 , respectively and shoulders  318  and  319  engage with shoulder  328  of wing bearing connecting flange  304 .   Ninth: Screw collar  303  onto wing bearing threaded flange  304  by engaging a commercially available spanner wrench (not shown) or other tool into notches  325  of collar  303  such that threads  324  of collar  303  engage with threads  329  of wing bearing threaded flange  304  and shoulder  322  of collar  303  engages with shoulders  361  and  362  of wing bearing and cross trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly and tighten.   Tenth: Fold lip  323  into notch  317  and  360  of cross trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly  331  to prevent collar  303  from unscrewing.   Driveshaft Coupling  300  can be partially assembled or disassembled by removing bolts  340 - 343  through access windows  332  and  333 , removing bolts  336 - 339  through access window  334 - 335 .
 
Novel Features May Include:
 
In Reference to the First Embodiment (#100).
   

     U.S. Pat. No. 4,053,248 discloses a cross tooth flange design that is commercially available and even has an ISO standard. There are boltholes used to couple this flange to a mating flange with teeth.
     What is novel about the present invention is that there is a rotatable collar, such as a threaded collar  103 , in place of the four bolts to hold the flanges together. The present inventors have not seen a combination of a cross-tooth flange and a rotatable collar, such as a threaded collar. The cross-tooth flange  101  of the present invention has a novel threaded outside diameter and notches to prevent the locking ring  102  from rotating. The threaded collar  103  with external notches and internal retaining ring groove  110  is also believed to be novel. The method of using a locking ring  102  to prevent the threaded collar  103  from unscrewing is believed to be novel as well.   

     The following combination of the assembly which is believed to be novel includes: Cross-tooth flanges  101  and a threaded collar  103  with external notched and internal retaining ring grove  110 , and a retaining ring  104 , and a locking ring  102 . 
     In Reference to the Second Embodiment (#200): 
     
         
         A standard off-the-shelf wing bearing kit employs four bolts to secure the wing bearing to the input and output yokes of the universal joint. In an embodiment of the present invention, the present inventions have replaced two of the four wing bearings with modified wing bearings that have a clamping shoulder to replace the bolts. What is believed to be novel is a universal joint comprising a wing bearing  203 ,  204 ,  206 ,  207  with a clamping shoulder  213 . Using a threaded collar  202  to secure a wing bearing  203 ,  204 ,  206 ,  207  with a clamping shoulder  213  to a circular wing bearing flange  201  with a threaded outer diameter is believed to be novel. Employing a threaded collar  202  with a thin lip  226  as disclosed herein to be folded into a notch  225  on a wing bearing  203 ,  204  to prevent unscrewing is believed to be novel. The combination of the assembly which is believed to be novel includes: A universal joint employing a wing bearing  203 ,  204 ,  206 ,  207  with a clamping shoulder  213 , a grooved flange face  201  with threaded outer diameter, and a threaded collar  202  with internal shoulder and external locking systems.
 
In Reference to the Third Embodiment (#300):
 
       
    
     The present inventors are placing two joints/couplings similar to coupling  200  of the second embodiment back to back by bolting the two together with a wing bearing connecting flange  305 . 
     PARTS LIST 
     The following is a list of exemplary parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention: 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Part 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 100 
                 Driveshaft Coupling 
               
               
                 101 
                 Crossed Toothed threaded flange, such as that  
               
               
                   
                 described in International Standard 
               
               
                   
                 ISO 12667 for commercial vehicles and  
               
               
                   
                 buses - Cross tooth propeller shaft 
               
               
                   
                 flanges, type T (Preferably made of alloy steel) 
               
               
                 102 
                 Retaining and locking ring (preferably made  
               
               
                   
                 of a malleable material such as a soft alloy steel) 
               
               
                 103 
                 Collar (preferably made of alloy steel with a  
               
               
                   
                 hardness of at least 48 HRC) 
               
               
                 104 
                 Retaining ring (such as Smalley, Spirolox ® internal  
               
               
                   
                 retaining ring part number RR-612) 
               
               
                 105 
                 Cross tooth coupling flange (preferably attached to a  
               
               
                   
                 Cornay ® CVX-30 constant velocity joint) 
               
               
                 106 
                 Threads of cross-toothed threaded flange 
               
               
                 107 
                 Threads of collar 
               
               
                 108 
                 Cross teeth of cross-toothed threaded flange 
               
               
                 109 
                 Cross teeth of cross-toothed coupling flange 
               
               
                 110 
                 Collar Groove 
               
               
                 111 
                 Grooves of cross-toothed threaded flange 
               
               
                 112 
                 Grooves of collar 
               
               
                 113 
                 Tabs of retaining and locking ring 
               
               
                 114 
                 Tabs of retaining and locking ring 
               
               
                 115 
                 Shoulder of cross-toothed threaded flange 
               
               
                 116 
                 Constant velocity joint or coupling 
               
               
                 200 
                 Driveshaft Coupling 
               
               
                 201 
                 Wing bearing threaded flange  
               
               
                   
                 (preferably made of alloy steel) 
               
               
                 202 
                 Collar (preferably made of alloy steel with a  
               
               
                   
                 hardness of at least 48 HRC) 
               
               
                 203 
                 Shouldered wing bearing (preferably made of alloy steel  
               
               
                   
                 with an internal bearing surface having a hardness  
               
               
                   
                 of at least 58-62 HRC, for example  
               
               
                   
                 Spicer wing bearing series - 5C) 
               
               
                 204 
                 Shouldered wing bearing 
               
               
                 205 
                 Wing bearing yoke (for example  
               
               
                   
                 Spicer wing bearing series - 5C) 
               
               
                 206 
                 Wing bearing (for example  
               
               
                   
                 Spicer wing bearing series - 5C) 
               
               
                 207 
                 Shouldered wing bearing 
               
               
                 208 
                 Cross trunnion (for example Spicer  
               
               
                   
                 wing bearing series - 5C) 
               
               
                 209 
                 Bolt (preferably of the Torx or socket  
               
               
                   
                 head cap screw type - Grade 8) 
               
               
                 210 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 211 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 212 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 213 
                 Shoulder of collar 
               
               
                 214 
                 Shoulder of wing bearings 
               
               
                 215 
                 Threads of collar 
               
               
                 216 
                 Threads of flange 
               
               
                 217 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 218 
                 Key 
               
               
                 219 
                 Key 
               
               
                 220 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 221 
                 Trunnion 
               
               
                 222 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 223 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 224 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 225 
                 Notches of shouldered wing bearings 
               
               
                 226 
                 Lips of collar 
               
               
                 227 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 228 
                 Trunnion 
               
               
                 229 
                 Trunnion 
               
               
                 230 
                 Trunnion 
               
               
                 231 
                 Key 
               
               
                 232 
                 Key 
               
               
                 233 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 234 
                 Shoulder of wing bearings 
               
               
                 235 
                 Hole 
               
               
                 236 
                 Hole 
               
               
                 237 
                 Hole 
               
               
                 238 
                 Hole 
               
               
                 239 
                 Window 
               
               
                 240 
                 Window 
               
               
                 241 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 300 
                 Driveshaft Coupling 
               
               
                 301 
                 Wing bearing threaded flange  
               
               
                   
                 (preferably made of alloy steel) 
               
               
                 302 
                 Collar (preferably made of alloy steel with a  
               
               
                   
                 hardness of at least 48 HRC) 
               
               
                 303 
                 Collar 
               
               
                 304 
                 Wing bearing threaded flange 
               
               
                 305 
                 Wing bearing connecting flange  
               
               
                   
                 (preferably made of alloy steel) 
               
               
                 306 
                 Threads of wing bearing threaded flange 
               
               
                 307 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 308 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 309 
                 Threads of collar 
               
               
                 310 
                 Shoulder of collar 
               
               
                 311 
                 Lip 
               
               
                 312 
                 Notch of collar 
               
               
                 313 
                 Key 
               
               
                 314 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 315 
                 Key 
               
               
                 316 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 317 
                 Notch of cross trunnion and wing bearing  
               
               
                   
                 connecting flange assembly 
               
               
                 318 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 319 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 320 
                 Cross trunnion and wing bearing assembly 
               
               
                 321 
                 Key 
               
               
                 322 
                 Shoulder of collar 
               
               
                 323 
                 Lip 
               
               
                 324 
                 Threads of collar 
               
               
                 325 
                 Notch of collar 
               
               
                 326 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 327 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 328 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 329 
                 Threads of wing bearing threaded flange 
               
               
                 330 
                 Cross trunnion and wing bearing assembly 
               
               
                 331 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 332 
                 Window 
               
               
                 333 
                 Window 
               
               
                 334 
                 Window 
               
               
                 335 
                 Window 
               
               
                 336 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 337 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 338 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 339 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 340 
                 Bolt (preferably of the Torx or socket head  
               
               
                   
                 cap screw type - Grade 8) 
               
               
                 341 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 342 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 343 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 344 
                 Hole of connecting flange 
               
               
                 345 
                 Hole of connecting flange 
               
               
                 346 
                 Hole of connecting flange 
               
               
                 347 
                 Hole of connecting flange 
               
               
                 348 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 349 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 350 
                 Key 
               
               
                 351 
                 Key 
               
               
                 352 
                 Key 
               
               
                 353 
                 Shoulder of wing bearing connecting flange 
               
               
                 354 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 355 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 356 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 357 
                 Shoulder of wing bearing and cross trunnion and  
               
               
                   
                 wing bearing connecting flange assembly 
               
               
                 358 
                 Shoulder of wing bearing and cross trunnion and  
               
               
                   
                 wing bearing connecting flange assembly 
               
               
                 359 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 360 
                 Notch of cross trunnion and wing bearing  
               
               
                   
                 connecting flange assembly 
               
               
                 361 
                 Shoulder of wing bearing and cross trunnion and  
               
               
                   
                 wing bearing connecting flange assembly 
               
               
                 362 
                 Shoulder of wing bearing and cross trunnion and  
               
               
                   
                 wing bearing connecting flange assembly 
               
               
                 363 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 364 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 365 
                 Shoulder of wing bearing threaded flange 
               
               
                 366 
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 367 
                 Shoulder of wing bearing connecting flange 
               
               
                 368 
                 Key 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.