Patent ID: 7121949

Claim:
A drive line apparatus for connection between an output portion of a driving member and an input portion of a driven member, the drive line apparatus comprising: a first hollow shaft having an elongated slot extending longitudinally along an inner surface of the first hollow shaft; and a second hollow shaft assembled with respect to the first hollow shaft, the second hollow shaft having an elongated rib extending radially outward from an outer surface of the second hollow shaft, a longitudinal axis of the rib being aligned substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the second hollow shaft, wherein at least a portion of one of the hollow shafts is telescopically sheathed within the other hollow shaft, such that the rib of the second hollow shaft slidably engages the slot of the first hollow shaft, wherein the first hollow shaft includes a first radially inwardly extending flange and the second hollow shaft includes a second radially inwardly extending flange, the first and second hollow shafts assembled in coaxial relationship with respect to one another with the first and second radially inwardly extending flanges adjacent a cannon longitudinal end of the assembled hollow shafts.