Retainer ring for tripod constant velocity joints

Abstract

A constant velocity (CV) joint and, more particularly, a retaining ring for a CV joint and a method of assembling a retaining ring on a CV joint. The tripod constant velocity joint may be assembled by placing a retaining ring in alignment with a trunnion head, applying a force to the aligned retaining ring to expand the diameter of said retaining ring so that a fracture area on the retaining ring fractures. After the fracture area fractures, the retaining ring is displaced into a retaining groove on the trunnion. The retaining ring includes an outer surface, an inner surface, a first notch extending from one of the inner and outer surfaces to the other of the inner and outer surfaces, and a fracture area extending from the first notch to the other of the inner and outer surfaces.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.