US3600969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering control mechanism
Assignee: FINANCIERE DES CARDANS Cie
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Filing: 1969-07-16
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1989-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A steering control mechanism in which the steering wheel is carried by a steering shaft element which is connected to the rest of the steering control shaft structure through a universal joint. This joint has a sealing ring interposed between each cross trunnion shoulder and a flange on a needle bearing cup engaged in the corresponding yoke branch. The sealing ring is so arranged and adapted as to perform the function of a shock absorber for transverse vibrations and shocks.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred Pitner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/26; F16D3/38; F16D3/40; F16D3/41; B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/192; F16D3/382; F16D3/385
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
In a steering control mechanism comprising a steering box connected to a steering wheel through a steering control shaft structure having an axis of rotation and a center part whose upper end is connected to a shaft element carrying the steering wheel by a universal joint comprising two yokes mounted on four trunnions of a cross through needle bearings, each of which bearings has an axis of rotation and includes a needle cup prevented from moving axially away from said axis of rotation of said shaft structure and having an end flange adjacent a shoulder on the corresponding trunnion and an elastomeric sealing ring interposed between each flange and each shoulder; the feature that each sealing ring is in a compressed condition in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the corresponding bearing and said cross is adapted and arranged to be capable of moving axially of each bearing but incapable of axially encountering and striking the bearing, in opposition to resilient reactions exerted by said compressed sealing rings on the corresponding journal shoulders, whereby said sealing rings are capable of performing the function of shock absorbers for vibrations and shocks transverse to the axis of rotation of said steering control shaft structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a steering control mechanism comprising a steering box connected to a steering wheel through a steering control shaft structure having an axis of rotation and a center part whose upper end is connected to a shaft element carrying the steering wheel by a universal joint comprising two yokes mounted on four trunnions of a cross through needle bearings, each of which bearings has an axis of rotation and includes a needle cup prevented from moving axially away from said axis of rotation of said shaft structure and having an end flange adjacent a shoulder on the corresponding trunnion and an elastomeric sealing ring interposed between each flange and each shoulder; the feature that each sealing ring is in a compressed condition in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the corresponding bearing and said cross is adapted and arranged to be capable of moving axially of each bearing but incapable of axially encountering and striking the bearing, in opposition to resilient reactions exerted by said compressed sealing rings on the corresponding journal shoulders, whereby said sealing rings are capable of performing the function of shock absorbers for vibrations and shocks transverse to the axis of rotation of said steering control shaft structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing ring has a quadrilobar cross-sectional shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lobe of the quadrilobar section which is adjacent both the corresponding trunnion and said flange of the corresponding cup is offset towards offset towards shoulder of said trunnion relative to another lobe adjacent said flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sealing ring has a plane of symmetry orthogonal to said axis of rotation of the corresponding bearing cup.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, comprising a flexible coupling connecting a lower end of said center part of said steering control shaft structure to a shaft element of said steering box.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second universal joint connecting the upper end of said center part to said shaft element carrying said steering wheel and connects a lower end of said steering control shaft structure to an input shaft element of said steering box.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
218 words
In a steering control mechanism comprising a steering box connected to a steering wheel through a steering control shaft structure having an axis of rotation and a center part whose upper end is connected to a shaft element carrying the steering wheel by a universal joint comprising two yokes mounted on four trunnions of a cross through needle bearings, each of which bearings has an axis of rotation and includes a needle cup prevented from moving axially away from said axis of rotation of said shaft structure and having an end flange adjacent a shoulder on the corresponding trunnion and an elastomeric sealing ring interposed between each flange and each shoulder; the feature that each sealing ring is of an elastomeric material having a hardness of substantially 81 Shore A and in a compressed condition in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the corresponding bearing and said cross is adapted and arranged to be capable of moving axially of each bearing but incapable of axially encountering and striking the bearing, in opposition to resilient reactions exerted by said compressed sealing rings on the corresponding journal shoulders, whereby said sealing rings are capable of performing the function of shock absorbers for vibrations and shocks transverse to the axis of rotation of said steering control shaft structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
218 words
In a steering control mechanism comprising a steering box connected to a steering wheel through a steering control shaft structure having an axis of rotation and a center part whose upper end is connected to a shaft element carrying the steering wheel by a universal joint comprising two yokes mounted on four trunnions of a cross through needle bearings, each of which bearings has an axis of rotation and includes a needle cup prevented from moving axially away from said axis of rotation of said shaft structure and having an end flange adjacent a shoulder on the corresponding trunnion and an elastomeric sealing ring interposed between each flange and each shoulder; the feature that each sealing ring is of an elastomeric material having a hardness of substantially 81 Shore A and in a compressed condition in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the corresponding bearing and said cross is adapted and arranged to be capable of moving axially of each bearing but incapable of axially encountering and striking the bearing, in opposition to resilient reactions exerted by said compressed sealing rings on the corresponding journal shoulders, whereby said sealing rings are capable of performing the function of shock absorbers for vibrations and shocks transverse to the axis of rotation of said steering control shaft structure.
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) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |