A joint assembly (200) comprising a first joint member (232) that is drivingly connected to a second joint member (272) by one or more torque transfer elements (290). Drivingly connected to at least a portion of the second joint member (312) is a stub shaft (292). An end of the stub shaft, opposite the second joint member, is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second shaft. At least a portion of a second end portion of a first shaft (202) is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a first end portion of the first joint member (232) and at least a portion of a first end portion of the first shaft has a gear member (210) with a plurality of gear teeth thereon.

A vehicle shaft assembly (500). The shaft assembly includes a coupling assembly having a first (506), a second (508) and a third (510) joint member. A substantially cylindrical body portion of the second joint member is drivingly connected to a first shaft (560) having an increased diameter portion. The increased diameter portion of the first shaft has a retaining member groove (604) circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of the increased diameter portion. At least a portion of the increased diameter portion of the first shaft is drivingly connected to a crash collapse adapter (608) having a crash collapse feature circumferentially extending along an inner surface of the crash collapse adapter. A second shaft (640) is integrally connected to at least a portion of an outer surface of the crash collapse adapter (608). At least a portion of a retaining member is disposed within the retaining member groove and the crash collapse feature.

A plunging type constant velocity universal joint includes outer and inner joint members that transmit torque therebetween through intermediation of a ball while allowing angular displacement. The outer joint member is configured to receive an internal component comprising the ball and the inner joint member so that the internal component is slidable in an axial direction. The universal joint also includes a stopper mechanism that has an annular groove, and is configured to restrict axial displacement of the internal component by allowing the ball to interfere with a circlip fitted to the annular groove. The annular groove has a conical surface, which is inclined with respect to an axial direction so that the conical surface and an axial tangent line at a contact point between the ball and the circlip form a wedge angle opened from an opening end portion of the outer joint member toward a far side.

A joint assembly (200) comprising a first joint member (232) that is drivingly connected to a second joint member (272) by one or more torque transfer elements (290). Drivingly connected to at least a portion of the second joint member (312) is a stub shaft (292). An end of the stub shaft, opposite the second joint member, is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second shaft. At least a portion of a second end portion of a first shaft (202) is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a first end portion of the first joint member (232) and at least a portion of a first end portion of the first shaft has a gear member (210) with a plurality of gear teeth thereon.

A vehicle shaft assembly (500). The shaft assembly includes a coupling assembly having a first (506), a second (508) and a third (510) joint member. A substantially cylindrical body portion of the second joint member is drivingly connected to a first shaft (560) having an increased diameter portion. The increased diameter portion of the first shaft has a retaining member groove (604) circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of the increased diameter portion. At least a portion of the increased diameter portion of the first shaft is drivingly connected to a crash collapse adapter (608) having a crash collapse feature circumferentially extending along an inner surface of the crash collapse adapter. A second shaft (640) is integrally connected to at least a portion of an outer surface of the crash collapse adapter (608). At least a portion of a retaining member is disposed within the retaining member groove and the crash collapse feature.

A plunging type constant velocity universal joint includes outer and inner joint members that transmit torque therebetween through intermediation of a ball while allowing angular displacement. The outer joint member is configured to receive an internal component comprising the ball and the inner joint member so that the internal component is slidable in an axial direction. The universal joint also includes a stopper mechanism that has an annular groove, and is configured to restrict axial displacement of the internal component by allowing the ball to interfere with a circlip fitted to the annular groove. The annular groove has a conical surface, which is inclined with respect to an axial direction so that the conical surface and an axial tangent line at a contact point between the ball and the circlip form a wedge angle opened from an opening end portion of the outer joint member toward a far side.

A shaft assembly for a rotating machine, comprising a shaft, a clamping element and a retaining element. The clamping element can be implemented as a circlip for counteracting or limiting axial movement of a shaft attribute. Further, the retaining element has a mainly annular geometry extending in a circumferential direction around the shaft. Also, the retaining element is provided with a locking element located offset from the shaft such that the clamping element is radially locked between the shaft and the locking element.

A shaft mounting assembly includes an elongate shaft with an outer surface having a substantially circular cross-section and a cylinder having an inner surface defining a bore housing the shaft. A spring having a substantially circular discontinuous band with correspondingly shaped axially arcuate inner and outer surfaces. One of the surfaces comprises a groove, and the spring is positioned in the groove with both axial edges of the band located therein. In a de-energised state of the spring, the height of the band is greater than the depth of the groove, a portion of the band between the axial edges protruding out of the groove, the axial width of the band being less than the width of the groove; and, an energised state with the spring compressed within the bore to reduce the height of the band and increase the axial width compared to the de-energised state.