Patent ID: 7347783

Claim:
A drive shaft having opposite ends and including an outer tube ( 2 ) extending from one end of the drive shaft and a core shaft ( 3 ) extending from the opposite end at least partially into the outer tube ( 2 ) so as to be enclosed therein, an elastomer damping element ( 4 ) disposed between the outer tube ( 2 ) and the core shaft ( 3 ) and being vulcanized to the inner surface of the outer tube ( 2 ) and to the outer surface of the core shaft ( 3 ), and several support rings ( 5 ) disposed in axially spaced relationship between the outer tube ( 2 ) and the core shaft ( 3 ) which abut the outer tube ( 2 ) and the core shaft ( 3 ) and are closely engaged therebetween so as to permit relative movement between the outer tube ( 2 ) and the core shaft ( 3 ) in a circumferential direction but prevent any radial movement therebetween, the support rings ( 5 ) consisting of an inner part ( 5 a ) of plastic which is disposed on the outer surface of the core shaft ( 3 ) and an outer part ( 5 b ) of metal which abuts the inner surface of the outer tube ( 2 ) and accommodates the slide movements.