Patent ID: 7186030

Claim:
An expandable shaft assembly, comprising: an axially extending shaft, including an axial axis, an external dimension, at least one shaft end, and a bore extending generally axially from said at least one shaft end; a second element, including an axially extending, externally threaded portion with a first thread flank, a shoulder portion extending in a generally radially outwardly direction; a radially extending end face that is axially constrained relative to said shaft wherein said radially extending end face is one of (1) integral with said shaft, and (2) on a separate element; wherein said bore of said axially extending shaft includes an axially extending, internally threaded portion with a second thread flank, at least one of said first thread flank and said second thread flank is an inclined thread flank, said externally threaded portion of said second element is threadably engaged with said internally threaded portion of said shaft such that said first thread flank contacts said second thread flank, and said shoulder portion of said second element is pressed against said end face and said inclined thread flank is wedged against the other of said first thread flank and said second thread flank to provide radial expansion of said external dimension in an expansion region.