Patent ID: 8616483

Claim:
A shaft assembly comprising: a first shaft including a first end, a second end, and a first axis defined therebetween, the first shaft rotatable about the first axis in a first direction; a housing including a first portion, a second portion, and a transition portion coupling the first portion and the second portion, the first portion receiving the first end of the first shaft, the transition portion being tapered between the first portion and the second portion such that the transition portion has a smaller thickness than the first portion; and a first bearing coupled to the first portion, and rotatably supporting the first end of the first shaft, the first bearing resisting at least a portion of a radial load exerted on the first shaft, the first bearing including a first outer tapered roller bearing proximate the first end of the first shaft and a first inner tapered roller bearing positioned adjacent the first outer tapered roller bearing and away from the first end of the first shaft; and wherein at least a portion of the radial load is transmitted to the transition portion from the first inner tapered roller bearing.