Quick connect assembly and retaining member for use therein

A quick connect assembly, comprising:

• a first splined member;
• wherein a first splined member retaining member groove circumferentially extends along at least a portion of an inner surface of said first splined member;
• a second splined member;
• wherein a second splined member retaining member groove circumferentially extends along at least a portion of an outer surface of said second splined member;
• wherein the first splined member retaining groove is both at least partially axially offset from and at least partially overlapping with said second splined member retaining groove to provide a gap between said outermost surface adjacent the first side of the first splined member retaining member groove and the second splined member retaining member groove,
• a retaining member;
• wherein an innermost surface of a body portion of said retaining member has a first arcuate portion having a first end and a second end;
• wherein an outermost surface of said body portion of said retaining member has a second arcuate portion having a first end and a second end;
• wherein a first side of said body portion of said retaining member has a first substantially flat portion having a first end and a second end and wherein a second side of said body portion of said retaining member has a second substantially flat portion having a first end and a second end;
• wherein said first end of said first arcuate portion of said body portion of said retaining member is directly connected to said first end of said first substantially flat portion of said retaining member and said second end of said first arcuate portion is directly connected to a first end of said second substantially flat portion of said retaining member;
• wherein said first end of said second arcuate portion of said body portion of said retaining member is directly connected to said second end of said first substantially flat portion of said retaining member and said second end of said arcuate portion is directly connected to a second end of said second substantially flat portion of said retaining member;
• and
• wherein at least a portion of said retaining member is received and/or retained within at least a portion of said first splined member retaining member groove and said second splined member retaining member groove.