Patent ID: 6871719

Claim:
A vehicle drive train assembly comprising: a source of rotational power; a rotatably driven front axle including at least one rotatably driven front vehicle wheel and a rotatably driven rear axle including at least one rotatably driven rear vehicle wheel; and a transfer case that transmits rotational power from the source of rotational power to the front and rear axles, wherein the transfer case includes a male splined member that is connected between the transfer case and the front axle and a female splined member that is provided on either the transfer case or the front axle to transmit rotational power therebetween, the male splined member including a main tubular portion, a male splined end portion, and a neck portion between the male splined end portion and the main tubular portion, the neck portion having a diameter which is less than the diameters of both the male splined end portion and the main tubular portion, the splines of the male splined member having side surfaces which are convex in shape and outer surfaces which are convex in shape, the convex splines of the male splined member cooperating with splines provided on the female splined member to connect the male splined member and the female splined member together in a manner that allows for limited angular and axial movement therebetween.