The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 11, 1997
Filed:
Jun. 24, 1996
Mirjana Jurik, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Thomas Dziegielewski, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Thomas Grzybowski, Fraser, MI (US);
Chrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A lower bearing assembly for supporting a steering shaft within a tubular jacket of an automotive steering column. The steering shaft is of double-D configuration having two diametrically opposite, arcuate side walls and two diametrically opposite parallel flats. A cup is fitted within the jacket having a hole in the bottom wall through which the steering shaft extends. A bearing within the cup supports the steering shaft for rotation. A wedge is sleeved on the steering shaft and has a tapered nose wedged between the bearing and the steering shaft. The wedge has an inner double-D configuration matching that of the steering shaft. A compression coil spring encircles the wedge and bears on a flange on the wedge to hold the nose of the wedge wedged tightly between the bearing and the steering shaft. A retaining ring is sleeved on the steering shaft and holds the spring under compression. The inner edge of the retaining ring has the same double-D configuration as the steering shaft.