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:
Dec. 02, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 29, 2002
Kenneth A. Sherwin, West Lafayette, IN (US);
Robert T. Ducharme, Lafayette, IN (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
A steering apparatus ( ) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a vehicle steering wheel ( ) comprises a first assembly ( ), a second assembly ( ), and a mechanism ( ). The first assembly ( ) is operatively coupled to the steering wheel ( ) and includes components ( and ) for monitoring applied torque and angular rotation of the steering wheel. The second assembly ( ) includes a steering gear ( ) and components ( and ) for receiving the first signal and actuating the steering gear ( ) in response to the first signal. The mechanism ( ) when in a first mode of operation provides a mechanical connection between the steering wheel ( ) and the steering gear ( ). When the mechanism ( ) is in the second mode of operation, the steering wheel ( ) and the steering gear ( ) lack a mechanical connection.