Patent ID: 8690689

Claim:
A drive shaft apparatus, comprising: a) a first drive shaft section that includes a first flange having an annular externally threaded peripheral portion; b) a second drive shaft section that includes a second flange having an annular, externally threaded peripheral portion; c) a central annular connecting flange positioned in between said first and second flanges; d) a pair of cross trunnion assemblies, the cross trunnion assemblies being next to and on opposing sides of the annular connecting flange; e) a pair of threaded collars, each collar connecting a said cross trunnion assembly to a said flange to a flange; f) a shoulder on each said collar to engage a mating shoulder on a said trunnion assembly; g) one said collar having an internally threaded section that engages the externally threaded section of the first flange; h) another said collar having an internally threaded section that engages the externally threaded section of the second flange; i) a plurality of key and slot connections that interlock to provide an interlocking interface between each flange and each trunnion assembly; and j) bolted connections the secure each trunnion assembly to the central annular connecting flange.