Patent ID: 7806619

Claim:
A shaft assembly comprising: a first shaft having an output end; a second shaft having an input end partially overlapping said output end of said first shaft; a pivot block disposed between said output end of said first shaft and said input end of said second shaft and defining a pivot axis about which said first shaft and said second shaft pivot relative to each other; said pivot block including a mounting surface disposed against one of said output end and said input end and further including a semi-annular peripheral surface opposing said mounting surface and concentric with said pivot axis disposed against the other of said input end and said output end for facilitating pivotal movement of said first shaft relative to said second shaft, said pivot block comprising a pivot pin longitudinally extending along said pivot axis and having a cross-section defining said semi-annular surface, and said pivot block further comprising a shoe comprising said mounting surface and having a semi-circular groove surface opposing said mounting surface and longitudinally extending along said pivot axis, a peripheral surface of said pivot pin opposing said semi-annular surface disposed within said semi-circular groove surface and said semi-annular surface pivotably engaging said other of said input end and said output end; and a fastener rotatably connecting said output end, said pivot block and said input end, said fastener defining a rotational axis transversely extending through said pivot axis about which said first shaft and said second shaft rotate relative to each other, wherein said output end, said pivot pin, said shoe and said input end cooperate to define a longitudinal bore transversely extending through said output end, said pivot pin, said shoe and said input end with said fastener extending through said bore.