WO2015126367A1

WO2015126367A1 - Driveshaft coupling

Info

Publication number: WO2015126367A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/016940
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul J. Cornay; Richard J. Cason; Pedro J. Narvaez
Original assignee: Cornay Company Llc
Priority date: 2014-02-18
Filing date: 2014-02-18
Publication date: 2015-08-27

Abstract

A connection apparatus includes a first flange member having a non-smooth face and a threaded coupling; and a second flange member having a non-smooth face which mates with the non-smooth face of the first flange member and a threaded coupling which mates with the threaded coupling of the first flange member. Preferably, the non-smooth face of one flange member has a projection or projections which mates or mate with a corresponding indentation or indentations on the non-smooth face of the other flange member. The flange members can have a cross-tooth faces, for example. Preferably, there is a locking member for locking the first flange member to the second flange member to help reduce rotational movement of the first flange member with respect to the second flange member.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

DRIVESHAFT COUPLING INVENTORS:

CORNAY, Paul, J., a US citizen, of Longmont, CO, US, having an address of P.O. Box 1522, Longmont, CO 80502, US; CASON, Richard, J., a US citizen, of Loveland, CO, US, having an address of P.O. Box 1522, Longmont, CO 80502, US; and NARVAEZ, Pedro, J., a citizen of Spain, of Longmont, CO, US, having an address of P.O. Box 1522, Longmont, CO 80502, US. ASSIGNEE:

CORNAY COMPANY LLC, a Colorado limited liability company, having an address of P.O. Box 1522, Longmont, CO 80502, US.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

In the US, this is a continuation of US Patent Application Serial No. 13/275,724, filed 18 October 2011 , which claimed priority of US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/394, 106, filed 18 October 2010, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In the US, priority of US Patent Application Serial No. 13/275,724, filed 18 October 201 1 and US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/394,106, filed 18 October 2010, both of which are incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX"

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates primarily to methods for quickly disconnecting driveshafts and couplings from driving and driven flanges with a threaded collar. More particularly, the present invention relates primarily to a method of quickly connecting and disconnecting a Cross-Tooth Propeller Shaft Flange, type T as in International Standard ISO 12667 with a threaded collar. A second embodiment of the present invention relates primarily to a method of quickly connecting and disconnecting a wing bearing style universal joint to a flange with a threaded collar. A third embodiment of the present invention relates to a short couple double wing bearing style universal with a quick disconnect threaded collar on each end. 2. General Background of the Invention

Typical means for attaching a coupling or universal joint to a driving or driven flange includes a plurality of bolts that fixedly attach the coupling or universal joint flange face to the face of the driving and driven flanges. Wing bearing and half-round universal joint styles employ a plurality of bolts to secure cross trunnion and bearing assemblies to driving yoke and flange components. In many driveline applications, 360° access is not available to properly remove and install all flange bolts. The present invention provides an improved method of attaching a coupling or universal joint to a driving or driven flange by providing a single locking collar that can fixedly secure a coupling or universal joint component to a driving or driven flange. By providing a collar with a shoulder that mates with a corresponding shoulder on the coupling or universal joint and a threaded section within the collar that mates with a corresponding threaded section on the of the flange, then the coupling or universal joint can then be attached to the flange in a secure manner. This method of attaching a coupling or universal joint to a flange is advantageous over other means because proper torque can be applied to the collar from any position where access is available. Other attachment means can have bolts that can only be accessed from the opposite side of the shaft making proper installation difficult or impossible in confined spaces.

The components of the present invention preferably employ a grooved flange face having a cross-tooth propeller shaft flange, type T as in International Standard ISO 12667, which mates with corresponding teeth on the coupling or universal joint. A collar that has a shoulder and a threaded section whereby the collar can be placed over the coupling or universal joint flange and threaded onto the mating driving or driven flange therein securing the coupling or universal joint to the flange.

US Patent Nos. 6,540,617 B2; 5,746,659; 5,586,652; 5,431,507; 4, 191,487; 4,053,248; 3,623,573 and 958,927 are incorporated herein by reference, and disclose various connecting means using toothed components for connecting driveshafts and tubing. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a collar is used to attach a Cornay^® (preferably) or other universal or constant velocity joint flange to a driving or driven flange wherein each flange face has a series of cross toothed grooves that mate with corresponding toothed grooves on the mating flange. This embodiment of the present invention is advantageous over bolting style flanges because only a few turns of the collar will securely attach one flange to the other making the processing of connecting and disconnecting a driveshaft quick and easy. Preferably, there is a locking system on the collar which prevents inadvertent unscrewing of the connection. In a second embodiment of the present invention a collar is used to attach a wing style bearing of a universal joint to a flange in a driveshaft. This second embodiment of the present invention is advantageous over bolted style wing bearings in applications where access to wing bearing bolts is limited due to surrounding components. This second embodiment of the present invention is also advantageous over bolting style wing bearings because only a few turns of the collar will securely attach the wing bearings to the mating flange, making the processing of connecting and disconnecting a driveshaft employing wing bearings quick and easy. Preferably, there is a locking system on the collar which prevents inadvertent unscrewing of the connection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

Figure 1 is a partially sectional view through section A-A of Figure 6 of Driveshaft Coupling 100, the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an isometric perspective view exploded view of Driveshaft Coupling 100, the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view of the driving/driven flange face;

Figure 3 is an isometric perspective exploded view of Driveshaft Coupling 100, the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view of the Cornay^® universal or constant velocity joint flange face;

Figure 4 is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling 100, the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view from the driving/driven flange side;

Figure 5 is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling 100, the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view from the Cornay^® universal or constant velocity joint side;

Figure 6 is a partially sectional view of Driveshaft Coupling 100, the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing section A-A;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of Driveshaft Coupling 200, the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention through section A-A of Figure 10;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of Driveshaft Coupling 200, the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing section B-B of Figure 1 1;

Figure 9 is an isometric perspective exploded view of Driveshaft Coupling 200, the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view from the threaded sleeve side;

Figure 10 is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling 200, the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view from the wing bearing yoke side showing section A-A;

Figure 11 is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft

Coupling 200, the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view from the threaded flange side showing section B-B;

Figure 12 is a an isometric perspective exploded view of Driveshaft Coupling 200, the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with a view from the threaded collar side;

Figure 13 is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling 300, the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing section A-A;

Figure 14 is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling 300, the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing section B-B;

Figure 15 is a sectional view of Driveshaft Coupling 300, the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention through section A-A of Figure 13;

Figure 16 is a sectional view of Driveshaft Coupling 300, the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention through section B-B of Figure 14;

Figure 17 is an isometric perspective view of the assembled components of Driveshaft Coupling 300, the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 18 is an isometric perspective exploded view of Driveshaft Coupling 300, the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Driveshaft Coupling 100 includes cross toothed driving flange 101, collar 103, universal joint or coupling cross toothed flange yoke 105, retaining and locking ring 102 and retaining ring 104.

Although a Cornay^® constant velocity joint 10 (of the type shown in Cornay Company US Patent No. 6,773,353, and commercially available from Cornay Company as model no. CVX-30) is shown in this example of the preferred embodiment, other types of Cardan, Hooks, Double Cardan, Rzeppa, Tripot and various other types of universal joints, constant velocity joints, and flexible and rigid driveshaft couplings can also employ this attachment means.

Driveshaft Coupling 100, shown in Figures 1 -6, can be assembled by the following method: First: Assemble collar 103 onto cross-toothed coupling flange 105 of coupling. Retaining ring 104 is installed over cross-toothed coupling flange 105 by spreading open the coils of the retaining ring 104 and feeding the retaining ring 104 over and behind the face of flange 105 of constant velocity joint or coupling 1 16 and feeding the coils around until the retaining ring 104 is on the side of the face of flange 105 opposite to cross teeth 109. Collar 103 is then inserted over cross- toothed coupling flange 105 so that retaining ring 104 can be installed into groove 110 of collar 103.

Second: Assemble retaining and locking ring 102 onto cross-toothed threaded flange 101.

Retaining and locking ring 102 is installed onto cross-toothed threaded flange 101 such that tabs 1 14 engage with grooves 1 11 of cross-toothed threaded flange 101 and retaining and locking ring 102 abuts against shoulder 1 15 of cross-toothed threaded flange 101.

Third: Cross-toothed coupling flange 105 is attached to cross-toothed threaded flange 101.

Flanges 101 and 105 are brought together such that the teeth 109 of cross-toothed coupling flange 105 mates with the teeth 108 of cross-toothed threaded flange 101. Collar 103 is screwed onto cross-toothed threaded flange 101 by the engagement of threads 107 of collar 103 with threads 106 of flange 101.

Fourth: After sufficient torque has been applied to collar 103 to remove all free play then one or more of tabs 1 13 of retaining and locking ring 102 are folded into grooves 112 of collar 103 thereby preventing collar 103 from unscrewing. Driveshaft Coupling 200, shown in Figures 7-12, includes wing bearing threaded flange 201, wing bearing yoke 205, collar 202, cross-trunnion 208 and shouldered wing bearings 203, 204, 206 and 207.

Driveshaft Coupling 200 can be assembled by the following method:

First: Install collar 202 over wing bearing yoke 205.

Second: Install wing bearings 206 and 207 onto trunnions 221 and 229 respectively.

Third: Install wing bearing 203 and 204 onto trunnions 230 and 228 respectively.

Fourth: Install wing bearing and cross trunnion assembly onto wing bearing yoke 205 such that keys 219 and 231 engage with notches 220 and 241.

Fifth: Screw in bolts 209-212 into holes 235-238 of wing bearing yoke 205 until the proper torque has been reached.

Sixth: Install wing bearing, shouldered wing bearing, cross trunnion and wing bearing yoke and collar assembly onto wing bearing threaded flange 201 such that keys 218 and 232 engage with notches 217 and 227, and shoulders 222 and 233 engage with shoulder 223 of wing bearing threaded flange 201.

Seventh: Screw collar 202 onto wing bearing threaded flange 201 by engaging a commercially available spanner wrench (not shown) or similar tool into notches 224 such that threads 215 of collar 202 engage with threads 216 of flange 201 and shoulder 213 (see Figure 12) of collar 202 engages with shoulders 214 and 234 (see Figure 9) of wing bearings 203 and 204 respectively.

Eighth: Fold one or more of lips 226 of collar 202 into one or more of notches 225 of shouldered wing bearings 203 and 204 to prevent unscrewing.

Driveshaft Coupling 200 can be partially assembled or disassembled by the following:

Wing bearing yoke 205 of driveshaft coupling 200 may also be removed from, wing bearing threaded flange, collar, cross-trunnion and wing bearing assembly by removing bolts 209-

212 through windows 239 and 240.

Driveshaft Coupling 300, shown in Figures 13-18, includes wing bearing threaded flanges 301 and 304, collars 302 and 303, cross trunnion and wing bearing assemblies 320 and 330, wing bearing connecting flange 305 and bolts 336-339 and bolts 340-343.

Driveshaft Coupling 300 can be assembled by the following method (see Figure 18):

First: Place collars 302 and 303 over wing bearing connecting flange 305 such that shoulders 310 and 322 are near the center.

Second: Install wing bearing and cross trunnion assembly 330 onto wing bearing connecting flange 305 such that keys 352, 358, engage with notches 348, 349 respectively, and shoulders 354 and 366 engage with shoulder 353 of wing bearing connecting flange 305.

Third: Install wing bearing and cross trunnion assembly 320 onto wing bearing connecting flange 305 such that keys 350, 351 engage with notches 363, 364 respectively, and shoulders 355 and 331 engage with shoulder 367 of wing bearing connecting flange 305.

Third: Install bolts 340 - 343 into holes of wing bearing and cross trunnion assembly 330, and screw into holes 344-347 of connecting flange 305 respectively and tighten.

Fourth: Install bolts 336 - 339 into holes of wing bearing and cross-trunnion assembly 320 and screw into holes 344-347 of connecting flange 305 respectively and tighten.

Fifth: Install wing bearing, cross-trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly onto wing bearing threaded flange 301 such that keys 313, 315, engage with notches 307, 308, respectively and shoulders 314 and 316 engage with shoulder 365 of wing bearing threaded flange 301.

Sixth: Screw collar 302 onto wing bearing threaded flange 301 by engaging a commercially available spanner wrench (not shown) or other tool into notches 312 of collar 302 such that threads 309 of collar 302 engage with threads 306 of wing bearing threaded flange 301 and shoulder 310 of collar 302 engages with shoulders 357 and 358 of wing bearing and cross trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly and tighten.

Seventh: Fold lip 31 1 into notch 356 and 359 of cross trunnion and wing bearing assembly 330 to prevent collar 302 from unscrewing.

Eighth: Install wing bearing, cross trunnion, wing bearing connecting flange and wing bearing threaded flange assembly onto wing bearing threaded flange 304 such that keys 321, 368, engage with notches 326, 327, respectively and shoulders 318 and 319 engage with shoulder 328 of wing bearing connecting flange 304.

Ninth: Screw collar 303 onto wing bearing threaded flange 304 by engaging a commercially available spanner wrench (not shown) or other tool into notches 325 of collar 303 such that threads 324 of collar 303 engage with threads 329 of wing bearing threaded flange 304 and shoulder 322 of collar 303 engages with shoulders 361 and 362 of wing bearing and cross trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly and tighten.

Tenth: Fold lip 323 into notch 317 and 360 of cross trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly 331 to prevent collar 303 from unscrewing.

Driveshaft Coupling 300 can be partially assembled or disassembled by removing bolts 340 - 343 through access windows 332 and 333, removing bolts 336 - 339 through access window 334 - 335.

Novel features may include:

In reference to the first embodiment (#100).

US Patent No. 4,053,248 discloses a cross tooth flange design that is commercially available and even has an ISO standard. There are boltholes used to couple this flange to a mating flange with teeth.

What is novel about the present invention is that there is a rotatable collar, such as a threaded collar 103, in place of the four bolts to hold the flanges together. The present inventors have not seen a combination of a cross-tooth flange and a rotatable collar, such as a threaded collar. The cross-tooth flange 101 of the present invention has a novel threaded outside diameter and notches to prevent the locking ring 102 from rotating. The threaded collar 103 with external notches and internal retaining ring groove 110 is also believed to be novel. The method of using a locking ring 102 to prevent the threaded collar 103 from unscrewing is believed to be novel as well. The following combination of the assembly which is believed to be novel includes: Cross-tooth flanges 101 and a threaded collar 103 with external notched and internal retaining ring grove 110, and a retaining ring 104, and a locking ring 102.

In reference to the second embodiment (#200):

A standard off-the-shelf wing bearing kit employs four bolts to secure the wing bearing to the input and output yokes of the universal joint. In an embodiment of the present invention, the present inventions have replaced two of the four wing bearings with modified wing bearings that have a clamping shoulder to replace the bolts. What is believed to be novel is a universal joint comprising a wing bearing 203 , 204, 206, 207 with a clamping shoulder 213. Using a threaded collar 202 to secure a wing bearing 203, 204, 206, 207 with a clamping shoulder 213 to a circular wing bearing flange 201 with a threaded outer diameter is believed to be novel. Employing a threaded collar 202 with a thin lip 226 as disclosed herein to be folded into a notch 225 on a wing bearing 203, 204 to prevent unscrewing is believed to be novel. The combination of the assembly which is believed to be novel includes: A universal joint employing a wing bearing 203, 204, 206, 207 with a clamping shoulder 213 , a grooved flange face 201 with threaded outer diameter, and a threaded collar 202 with internal shoulder and external locking systems.

In reference to the third embodiment (# 300):

The present inventors are placing two joints/couplings similar to coupling 200 of the second embodiment back to back by bolting the two together with a wing bearing connecting flange 305. PARTS LIST:

The following is a list of exemplary parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:

Part Description

100 Driveshaft Coupling

101 Crossed Toothed threaded flange, such as that described in International Standard ISO 12667 for commercial vehicles and buses - Cross tooth propeller shaft flanges, type T (Preferably made of alloy steel)

102 Retaining and locking ring (preferably made of a malleable material such as a soft alloy steel)

103 Collar (preferably made of alloy steel with a hardness of at least 48 HRC (Rockwell C Hardness Scale))

104 Retaining ring (such as Smalley, Spirolox^® internal retaining ring part number RR-612) 105 Cross tooth coupling flange (preferably attached to a Cornay^® CVX-30 constant velocity joint)

106 Threads of cross-toothed threaded flange

107 Threads of collar

108 Cross teeth of cross-toothed threaded flange

109 Cross teeth of cross-toothed coupling flange

1 10 Collar Groove

1 11 Grooves of cross-toothed threaded flange

1 12 Grooves of collar

1 13 Tabs of retaining and locking ring

1 14 Tabs of retaining and locking ring

1 15 Shoulder of cross-toothed threaded flange

1 16 Constant velocity joint or coupling

200 Driveshaft Coupling

201 Wing bearing threaded flange (preferably made of alloy steel)

202 Collar (preferably made of alloy steel with a hardness of at least 48 HRC (Rockwell C Hardness Scale))

203 Shouldered wing bearing (preferably made of alloy steel with an internal bearing surface having a hardness of at least 58-62 HRC (Rockwell C Hardness Scale), for example Spicer wing bearing series - 5C)

204 Shouldered wing bearing

205 Wing bearing yoke (for example Spicer wing bearing series - 5C)

206 Wing bearing (for example Spicer wing bearing series -5C)

207 Shouldered wing bearing

208 Cross trunnion (for example Spicer wing bearing series -5C)

209 Bolt (preferably of the Torx or socket head cap screw type - Grade 8)

210 Bolt

211 Bolt

212 Bolt

213 Shoulder of collar

214 Shoulder of wing bearings

215 Threads of collar

216 Threads of flange 217 Notch

218 Key

219 Key

220 Notch

221 Trunnion

222 Shoulder

223 Shoulder

224 Notch

225 Notches of shouldered wing bearings

226 Lips of collar

227 Notch

228 Trunnion

229 Trunnion

230 Trunnion

231 Key

232 Key

233 Shoulder

234 Shoulder of wing bearings

235 Hole

236 Hole

237 Hole

238 Hole

239 Window

240 Window

241 Notch

300 Driveshaft Coupling

301 Wing bearing threaded flange (preferably made of alloy steel)

302 Collar (preferably made of alloy steel with a hardness of at least 48 HRC (Rockwell C

Hardness Scale))

303 Collar

304 Wing bearing threaded flange

305 Wing bearing connecting flange (preferably made of alloy steel)

306 Threads of wing bearing threaded flange 307 Notch

308 Notch

309 Threads of collar

310 Shoulder of collar

31 1 Lip

312 Notch of collar

313 Key

314 Shoulder

315 Key

316 Shoulder

317 Notch of cross trunnion and wing bearing connectini

318 Shoulder

319 Shoulder

320 Cross trunnion and wing bearing assembly

321 Key

322 Shoulder of collar

323 Lip

324 Threads of collar

325 Notch of collar

326 Notch

327 Notch

328 Shoulder

329 Threads of wing bearing threaded flange

330 Cross trunnion and wing bearing assembly

331 Shoulder

332 Window

333 Window

334 Window

335 Window

336 Bolt

337 Bolt

338 Bolt

339 Bolt 340 Bolt (preferably of the Torx or socket head cap screw type - Grade 8)

341 Bolt

342 Bolt

343 Bolt

344 Hole of connecting flange

345 Hole of connecting flange

346 Hole of connecting flange

347 Hole of connecting flange

348 Notch

349 Notch

350 Key

351 Key

352 Key

353 Shoulder of wing bearing connecting flange

354 Shoulder

355 Shoulder

356 Notch

357 Shoulder of wing bearing and cross trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly

358 Shoulder of wing bearing and cross trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly 359 Notch

360 Notch of cross trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly

361 Shoulder of wing bearing and cross trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly

362 Shoulder of wing bearing and cross trunnion and wing bearing connecting flange assembly

363 Notch

364 Notch

365 Shoulder of wing bearing threaded flange

366 Shoulder

367 Shoulder of wing bearing connecting flange

368 Key

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cross-tooth flange connection with threaded collar and locking ring.

2. Apparatus including a collar to attach a coupling or universal joint to a flange, the collar comprising:

a. a shoulder to engage a mating shoulder on a coupling or universal joint component; and b. a threaded section to engage a mating threading section on a flange.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a universal joint flange.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a driving flange.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the collar members comprise alloy steel, ABS plastic, other plastics, aluminum, and/or composite material.

6. Apparatus including a universal joint bearing with a clamping shoulder.

7. A universal j oint comprising two wing bearings with clamping shoulder, threaded collar and threaded flange.

8. A double universal joint comprising wing bearing with clamping shoulder, threaded collar and threaded flange.

9. The joint of claim 8, further comprising a locking system for locking the threaded collar against rotating.

10. Apparatus including:

connection apparatus comprising:

a first flange member having a non-smooth face and a threaded coupling; and

a second flange member having a non-smooth face which mates with the non-smooth face of the first flange member and a threaded coupling which mates with the threaded coupling of the first flange member.

1 1. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the non-smooth face of one flange member has a proj ection which mates with a corresponding indentation on the non-smooth face of the other flange member.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the non-smooth face of one flange member has projections which mate with corresponding indentations on the non-smooth face of the other flange member.

13. Apparatus including:

connection apparatus comprising:

a first flange member having a cross-tooth face and a threaded coupling; and a second flange member having a cross-tooth face which mates with the cross-tooth face of the first flange member and a threaded coupling which mates with the threaded coupling of the first flange member.

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 10-13, further comprising a locking member for locking the first flange member to the second flange member to help reduce rotational movement of the first flange member with respect to the second flange member.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further wherein the locking member for locking includes moveable tabs on one of the flange members and mating notches on the other flange member.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 10-15, further comprising a universal joint connected to one of the flange members and a drive shaft connected to the other flange member.

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 10-15, further comprising a driven shaft connected to one of the flange members and a drive shaft connected to the other flange member.

18. Apparatus including:

two of the connection apparatus of claim 10, namely a first connection apparatus and a second connection apparatus.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first connection apparatus is connected to the second connection apparatus and to a drive shaft, and the second connection apparatus is connected to a driven shaft.

20. Apparatus including:

a universal or constant velocity joint flange having a series of cross toothed grooves; a driving or driven flange having a series of cross toothed grooves that mate with corresponding crossed toothed grooves on the joint flange;

a collar which is used to attach the two flanges together.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the collar is threaded and rotates to connect the flanges together with a threaded connection.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a locking system on the collar which prevents inadvertent unscrewing of the connection.

23. The apparatus of claims 21 or 22, wherein a few turns of the collar will securely attach one flange to the other making the processing of connecting and disconnecting a driveshaft quick and easy.

24. Apparatus including:

a wing style bearing of a universal joint having a first surface feature; a driving or driven flange having a second surface feature which engages the first surface feature to prevent rotational movement of the flange with respect to the bearing when the two surface features are engaged;

a collar which is used to attach the two flanges together.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the collar attaches the two flanges together by rotating the collar with respect to at least one of the flanges.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the collar is threaded and rotates to connect the flange and bearing together with a threaded connection.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a locking system on the collar which prevents inadvertent unscrewing of the connection.

28. The apparatus of claims 26 or 27, wherein a few turns of the collar will securely attach the flange to the bearing making the processing of connecting and disconnecting a driveshaft quick and easy.

29. Apparatus including a flange having:

A surface having a cross-tooth feature; and

A threaded outer diameter.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a threaded collar.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a locking ring.

32. The apparatus of claims 30 or 31 , further comprising an internal retaining ring groove in the threaded collar.

33. The apparatus of claims 30, 31, or 32, further comprising notches to prevent the threaded collar from rotating.

34. A universal joint comprising:

an input yoke;

an output yoke;

a wing bearing connecting the input yoke to the output yoke, the wing bearing having a clamping shoulder.

35. The universal joint of claim 34, wherein the clamping shoulder of the wing bearing engages a rotating collar.

36. The universal joint of claim 35, wherein the rotating collar is threaded.

37. The universal joint of claim 35, further comprising a locking device for locking the rotating collar against rotational movement.

38. A universal joint comprising: an input yoke;

an output yoke;

four wing bearings connecting the input yoke to the output yoke, two of the wing bearings each having a clamping shoulder.

39. The universal joint of claim 38, wherein the clamping shoulders of the wing bearings engage a rotating collar.

40. The universal joint of claim 39, wherein the rotating collar is threaded.

41. The universal joint of claim 39, further comprising a locking device for locking the rotating collar against rotational movement.

42. Apparatus including a universal joint comprising:

an input yoke;

an output yoke;

43. Apparatus including a universal joint comprising:

an input yoke;

an output yoke;

44. A universal joint apparatus comprising:

an input yoke;

an output yoke;

a wing bearing connecting flange;

four wing bearings connecting the input yoke to the wing bearing connecting flange, two of the wing bearings each having a clamping shoulder;

four additional wing bearings connecting the wing bearing connecting flange to the output yoke, two of the additional wing bearings each having a clamping shoulder.

45. The universal joint apparatus of claim 44, wherein the clamping shoulders of the wing bearings engage a rotating collar.

46. The universal joint of claim 45, wherein the rotating collar is threaded.

47. The universal joint of claim 45, further comprising a locking device for locking the rotating collar against rotational movement.

48. The inventions substantially as shown and described herein.