Patent ID: 7744474

Claim:
A propshaft assembly, comprising: a propshaft inner tube; a propshaft outer tube having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an end, the end splined to the inner tube thereby defining an engagement area between the inner tube and the outer tube; a first stiffening ring, wherein the first stiffening ring maintains the outer surface of the propshaft outer tube and reduces radial expansion of the propshaft outer tube, the first stiffening ring including a ring inner surface and a ring outer surface, the first stiffening ring is disposed around the propshaft outer tube, wherein at least a portion of the ring inner surface of the first stiffening ring is in direct contact with the propshaft outer tube, and at least a portion of the first stiffening ring inner surface generally circumferentially follows a contour of the propshaft outer tube outer surface; and a second stiffening ring disposed around the propshaft outer tube outer surface and axially spaced at a predetermined distance from the first stiffening ring for reducing radial expansion of the propshaft outer tube.