Alternate pinch bolt yoke construction

Abstract

An improved construction for a pinch bolt yoke for use as a flexible coupling in a vehicle steering system includes two separate components, a block and a stamping. The block includes front and rear surfaces, upper and lower surfaces, opposing side surfaces, and edges between the surfaces. The block includes a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear surfaces. The block further includes a cutout to accommodate a transverse bolt. The cutout extends across a portion of the upper surface in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The block further includes a bore to receive a shaft. The bore extends through the block between the front and rear surfaces in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The stamping is adapted to receive the block. The stamping includes a base and a pair of arms extending perpendicularly from the base. The stamping further includes a front surface and a rear end, upper and lower surfaces, and opposing side surfaces. A transverse axis extends between the side surfaces. The stamping further includes a pair of apertures formed through the lower front corner of each arm. The apertures are aligned with one another in a direction parallel to the transverse axis, and they are adapted to receive a transverse bolt. The stamping further includes a pair of holes formed through the rear end of each arm. The holes are preferably aligned with one another in a direction parallel to the transverse axis, and they are adapted to receive a pair of opposed bearings.