US3680443A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering mechanism for motor vehicles
Assignee: Adwest Engineering Ltd
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Filing: 1969-11-17
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1989-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A rack and pinion steering mechanism for motor vehicles is provided in which the machining of the rack is facilitated and the effective length of the unit is reduced with a reduction in the distance between the centers of the two ball joints. The unit comprises a carrier, a toothed rack pivotally mounted by one of its ends on the carrier, which is slideable within the casing a pinion carried by the casing engages the toothed rack; and a resilient device urges the toothed rack into mesh with the pinion.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie Richard Jenvey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:34
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/06; B62D5/20; B62D5/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19642; Y10T74/1967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A rack and pinion steering mechanism for a motor vehicle, the mechanism comprising a casing, a carrier mounted for longitudinal movement within said casing, a toothed rack pivotally connected by one of its ends to the carrier, a pinion rotatably mounted in said casing and adapted for connection to the steering control of a motor vehicle for rotation thereby, and means for resiliently urging the toothed rack into meshing engagement with the pinion, whereby when the pinion is rotated the toothed rack and the carrier will be moved longitudinally relative to the casing in a direction dependent upon the direction of rotation of the pinion, said carrier comprising a first member extending on one side of said toothed rack and to which said toothed rack is pivotally connected, a second member extending on the other side of the toothed rack, and at least one intermediate member substantially parallel wIth said toothed rack and connecting the first and second members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A rack and pinion steering mechanism for a motor vehicle, the mechanism comprising a casing, a carrier mounted for longitudinal movement within said casing, a toothed rack pivotally connected by one of its ends to the carrier, a pinion rotatably mounted in said casing and adapted for connection to the steering control of a motor vehicle for rotation thereby, and means for resiliently urging the toothed rack into meshing engagement with the pinion, whereby when the pinion is rotated the toothed rack and the carrier will be moved longitudinally relative to the casing in a direction dependent upon the direction of rotation of the pinion, said carrier comprising a first member extending on one side of said toothed rack and to which said toothed rack is pivotally connected, a second member extending on the other side of the toothed rack, and at least one intermediate member substantially parallel wIth said toothed rack and connecting the first and second members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A rack and pinion steering mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said first member is in substantial axial alignment with the toothed rack and said second member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A rack and pinion steering mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the first and second members are connected by two intermediate members in the form of spaced bars and wherein the toothed rack is arranged between said bars.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
A rack and pinion steering mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said first and second members each have a piston on that end thereof adjacent the toothed rack and wherein said casing defines cylinders in which the pistons are slidable, means being provided for directing fluid under pressure to a selected one of said cylinders dependent upon the direction of rotation of the pinion so that the fluid will act on the appropriate piston and provide power assistance in moving the rack and the carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rack and pinion unit as claimed in claim 4 in which said intermediate member and said two pistons are cast in one piece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A rack and pinion unit as claimed in claim 5, in which said third member comprises two mutually parallel spaced apart bars.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rack and pinion steering mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said first member extends through an aperture in an end wall of the housing and wherein the extending outer end of the first member is hollow and houses a ball-joint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rack and pinion steering mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said second member extends through an aperture in an end wall of the housing and wherein the extending outer end of the second member is hollow and houses a ball-joint.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
A rack and pinion steering mechanism according to claim 1, wherein double-acting piston-and-cylinder means are associated with the carrier and wherein means is provided for directing fluid under pressure to the appropriate side of the double-acting piston-and-cylinder means according to the direction of rotation of the pinion to provide power assistance in moving the rack and the carrier when the pinion is rotated.
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) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |