TAPERLOCK AXLE APPARATUS AND FLANGE

A flange and shaft for a two-piece forged axle and method for forging same. The flange includes a hub formed concentric about a longitudinal axis wherein th e hub defines an inner annular face, an outer annular face, and a bore extending therebetween. The bore includes a first tapered surface diverging from the longitudinal axis. The flange further includes an annular ring coaxial and integral with the hub as well as a locking arrangement integral with the tapered surface for mechanically coupling the flange for rotation with a shaft. Additional embodiments of the present invention include a two-piece axle having a flange generally configured as described above and a cylindrical shaft disposed in the bore of the flange. The shaft includes a first end portion having a first radial upset engaging a first locking arrangement on the flange to couple the flange for rotation with the shaft. Finally, a method for coupling a flange for rotation with a shaft is disclosed to inclu de the steps of placing a shaft formed of a first material within a bore defined by a flange formed of a second material and upsetting the shaft such that the first material is radially displaced to engage a locking arrangement formed in the flange. More particularly, the flange includes a longitudinal axis, an outer annular face, an inner annular face, and a taper portion diverging from the longitudinal axis. The flange further includes the locking arrangement integral with the taper portion for mechanically coupling the flange for rotation with the shaft.