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. 31, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 06, 1995
Philip S Peterson, Lafayette, IN (US);
John A Budzik, Lafayette, IN (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
A vehicle (10) has a steering gear (26) connected with a frame (12) to turn steerable vehicle wheels (14). A body (16) of the vehicle (10) is resiliently mounted on the frame (12). A steering wheel (28) is connected with the body (16) of the vehicle and is rotatable to actuate the steering gear (26). An improved shaft assembly (38) is utilized to transmit force between the steering gear (26) and the steering wheel (28). The shaft assembly (38) is connected with the steering wheel (28) through an upper universal joint (40). The shaft assembly (38) is connected with the steering gear (26) through a lower universal joint (42). The shaft assembly (38) includes a variable length portion (46) having upper and lower sections (48 and 52) which are disposed in a telescopic relationship. A connector assembly (54) interconnects an extension section (50) with the variable length portion (46) of a shaft assembly (38) when the upper and lower universal joints (40 and 42) are in a predetermined relationship. The variable length portion (46) of the shaft assembly (38) accommodates relative movement between the steering wheel (28) and the steering gear (26). The connector assembly (54) includes a sleeve (152) which is plastically deformed to maintain a connection between the variable length portion (46) of the shaft assembly (38) and the extension section (50) of the shaft assembly.