Patent ID: 7040190

Claim:
A shift fork assembly, comprising: a shaft assembly including a first member having a post, and a second member defining a socket within which said post is disposed; and a range fork having a lug segment mounted on and engaged with said post, said lug segment being disposed between said first member and said second member, wherein said first member includes a body segment from which said post extends and a radial flange formed adjacent said post, wherein said range fork includes an aperture through which said post extends such that a first face surface of said range fork engages said radial flange, wherein a second face surface of said range fork engages an end of said second shaft member, wherein said first shaft member, said second shaft member, and said range fork are rigidly connected by a weld joint, and further wherein said second shaft member includes a radial channel and an axial channel that communicate with said socket for receiving a welding material to secure said post within said socket.