# US 12,000,439 B2 · Transfer case yoke > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,000,439 B2 - Document ID: US12000439B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/500,547 - Filed: 2021-10-13 - Published: 2022-04-14 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-10-13 - Assignees: Drivelines Plus Inc. - Applicants: Jeff Everly - Inventors: Jeff Everly - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12000439B2 ## CPC - F16D 3/387: {Fork construction; Mounting of fork on shaft; Adapting shaft for mounting of fork} - F16B 21/183: {internal, i.e. with spreading action} - F16D 1/076: by clamping together two faces perpendicular to the axis of rotation, e.g. with bolted flanges - F16D 1/116: the interengaging parts including a continuous or interrupted circumferential groove in the surface of one of the coupling parts (circlips for retaining hubs on shafts F16B21/18) - F16D 1/10: Quick-acting couplings in which the parts are connected by simply bringing them together axially - F16D 2001/103: {the torque is transmitted via splined connections} - Y10T 403/7033: including a lock or retainer - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A yoke for a transfer case output shaft includes a hollow cylindrical sleeve portion and a disc-shaped flange portion extending radially from an outer portion of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion. The hollow cylindrical sleeve portion includes a plurality of inwardly extending splines configured to engage outwardly extending splines of the transfer case outlet shaft. The disc-shaped flange portion has a plurality of fastener openings therethrough that correspond to fastener openings through a flange portion of a companion flange. A notch is formed through the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion at an open end of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion. A groove is formed within the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical sleeve and extends about a rotation axis of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion. A C-clip is received within the groove for restricting axial movement along the rotation axis and includes open ends that are received within the notch. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A yoke for a transfer case output shaft in combination with a lift kit for a vehicle, including: a hollow cylindrical sleeve portion; wherein the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion includes a plurality of inwardly extending splines formed on an inner surface on the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion; wherein the inwardly extending splines are configured to engage with outwardly extending splines of the transfer case output shaft; a disc-shaped flange portion extending radially from an outer portion of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion; wherein the disc-shaped flange portion has a plurality of fastener openings therethrough; wherein an outer surface of the yoke is stepped along its longitudinal axis with an outer diameter being greatest at the disc-shaped flange portion; wherein the fastener openings of the disc-shaped flange portion correspond in size and location with a plurality of fastener openings through a flange portion of a companion flange; wherein, in an assembled configuration, the transfer case output shaft, yoke and companion flange rotate together; a notch through the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion at an end of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion; a groove formed within the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion and extending about a rotation axis of the hollow cylindrical sleeve; and a C-clip received within the groove for restricting axial movement relative to the rotation axis; wherein open ends of the C-clip are received within the notch; wherein the yoke is installed in combination with a lift kit for a vehicle having a first driveshaft angle articulation; wherein the lift kit provides a second driveshaft angle articulation greater than the first driveshaft angle articulation after components of the lift kit and the yoke are installed on the vehicle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The yoke of claim 1, wherein the hollow cylindrical sleeve includes forty two (42) inwardly extending splines formed on the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical sleeve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The yoke of claim 1, wherein the disc-shaped flange portion includes four fastener openings therethrough that are spaced about a circumference region of a face of the disc-shaped flange portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The yoke of claim 3, wherein the inner surfaces of the fastener openings through the disc shaped flange portion are threaded. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The yoke of claim 1, wherein the yoke includes at least one counterbore within a central opening through the disc-shaped flange portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the yoke at an end opposite the disc-shaped flange portion is tapered. ### Claim 7 A method for installing a lift kit and a yoke on a vehicle, including steps of: removing components of a conventional drivetrain corresponding to components of lift kit; installing the components of the lift kit on the vehicle; installing the yoke for a transfer case output shaft on the vehicle; wherein the yoke includes: a hollow cylindrical sleeve portion, wherein the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion includes a plurality of inwardly extending splines formed on an inner surface on the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion; wherein the inwardly extending splines are configured to engage with outwardly extending splines of the transfer case output shaft; a disc-shaped flange portion has a plurality of fastener openings therethrough; wherein an outer surface of the yoke is stepped along its longitudinal axis with an outer diameter being greatest at the disc-shaped flange portion; wherein the fastener openings of the disc-shaped flange portion correspond in size and location with a plurality of fastener openings through a flange portion of a companion flange; wherein, in an assembled configuration, the transfer case output shaft, yoke and companion flange rotate together; a notch through the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion at an end of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion; a groove formed within the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical sleeve portion and extending about a rotation axis of the hollow cylindrical sleeve; and a C-clip received within the groove for restricting axial movement relative to the rotation axis; wherein open ends of the C-clip are received within the notch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the yoke is a component of a universal joint of the vehicle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the hollow cylindrical sleeve includes forty-two inwardly extending spines formed on the inner surface of the how cylindrical sleeve. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the disc-shaped flanged portion includes four fastener openings therethrough that are spaced about a circumference region of a face of the disc-shaped flange portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein inner surfaces of the fastener openings through the disc shaped flange portion are threaded.