US3580101A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telescoping section in a steering column
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1968-11-12
•
Granted: 1971-05-25
•
Expires: 1988-11-12
Abstract
Abstract Telescoping section between a steering shaft and steering gear, comprising an elongated tube and an intermediate shaft sliding connected therewith for rotational driving. The intermediate shaft journaled in a bushing in the end of the elongated tube. An internal stop in the tube spaced from but near the bushing prevents buckling between the tube and the shaft. The steering shaft housing is adjustably mounted in the vehicle cab by means of adjustable brackets attached to the dashboard of the vehicle cab and the steering shaft housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Anker E Jorgensen
- 👤 Gerald K Oxley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:29
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/187; B62D1/185; B62D1/19; B62D1/192
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
In a steering column for a vehicle comprising: steering gear having a universal joint at one end, a steering shaft having a universal joint at one end, and a steering wheel connected to the other end of the steering shaft; the combination with the steering shaft and steering gear, of a. an elongated tube having two opposed internal longitudinal channels and being connected at one end to the universal joint of the steering gear, b. a bushing attached inside the other end of the tube, c. an intermediate shaft slidably engaging the bushing, connected at one end to the universal joint of the steering shaft, and carrying a pin extending transversely through the said other end of the shaft and a pair of shoes mounted on the ends of the pin and slidably engaging the opposed channels in the tube, d. a load-equalizing spring surrounding the intermediate shaft and acting at one end against the bushing and at the other end against the pin, and e. a stop member attached to the tube in spaced relation to the bushing but being closer to the bushing than to the said one end of the tube, the stop member projecting into one channel of the tube into the path of one of the shoes along said one channel, for preventing buckling between the tube and intermediate shaft by preventing the spacing between regions of engagement between said intermediate shaft and the bushing in the tube and between the tube and the shoes on the intermediate shaft from becoming less than the spacing between the stop member and the bushing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
267 words
In a steering column for a vehicle comprising: steering gear having a universal joint at one end, a steering shaft having a universal joint at one end, and a steering wheel connected to the other end of the steering shaft; the combination with the steering shaft and steering gear, of a. an elongated tube having two opposed internal longitudinal channels and being connected at one end to the universal joint of the steering gear, b. a bushing attached inside the other end of the tube, c. an intermediate shaft slidably engaging the bushing, connected at one end to the universal joint of the steering shaft, and carrying a pin extending transversely through the said other end of the shaft and a pair of shoes mounted on the ends of the pin and slidably engaging the opposed channels in the tube, d. a load-equalizing spring surrounding the intermediate shaft and acting at one end against the bushing and at the other end against the pin, and e. a stop member attached to the tube in spaced relation to the bushing but being closer to the bushing than to the said one end of the tube, the stop member projecting into one channel of the tube into the path of one of the shoes along said one channel, for preventing buckling between the tube and intermediate shaft by preventing the spacing between regions of engagement between said intermediate shaft and the bushing in the tube and between the tube and the shoes on the intermediate shaft from becoming less than the spacing between the stop member and the bushing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |