Steering system with integral shock damper

Claim 2

In a steering linkage having an arcuately movable centerlink member attached to the frame of a vehicle, the improvement of a shock absorbing device incorporated in the attachment whereby an end of the member is telescopically received in and is supported on the frame through the shock absorbing device.

Claim 3

The linkage of claim 1 wherein means are provided accommodating pivotability of a said end with respect to the frame.

Claim 4

The linkage of claim 2 wherein said means include a pivotable attachment between said shock absorbing device and the said frame whereby the said shock absorbing device is pivotably attached to the frame.

Claim 5

The linkage of claim 3 wherein the pivotable attachment includes a compressible pad entrapped between a frame-carried member and a shock absorber device carried member, the pad compressible to allow universal pivotability of the shock absorbing device with respect to the frame carried member.

Claim 6

The linkage of claim 3 wherein the pivotable attachment includes mating curved surface members one of said members operatively attached to and carried by the said frame and the other of said members attached to the said shock absorbing device, the said members are positionable one within the other to attach the said shock absorbing device to the said frame and the said mating curved surfaces allowing pivotability of one of said members with respect of the other of said members while maintaining the said attachment.

Claim 7

A steering linkage comprising a linkage assembly including a centerlink, one end of said centerlink attached to a pitman arm and movable therewith, the other end of said centerlink telescopically received in a shock absorbing device and movable longitudinally therein, said shock absorbing device pivotably attached to the frame of a vehicle receiving the steering linkage, the telescopic movability of the said end of the centerlink within the said shock absorbing device accommodating longitudinal movement of the one end of the centerlink as imparted to the centerlink by movement of the pitman arm and the said pivotable attachment of the shock absorbing device at the frame allowing arcuate movement of the said end of the said centerlink as imparted to the centerlink by the pitman arm.

Claim 8

A steering linkage comprising a linkage assembly including a centerlink, one end of said centerlink attached to a pitman arm and movable therewith, the other end of said centerlink telescopically received in a shock absorbing device and movable longitudinally therein, said shock absorbing device pivotably attached to the frame of a vehicle receiving the steering linkage, the telescopic movability of the said end of the centerlink within the said shock absorbing device accommodating longitudinal movement of the one end of the centerlink as imparted to the centerlink by movement of the pitman arm and the said pivotable attachment of the shock absorbing device at the frame allowing arcuate movement of the said end of the said centerlink as imparted to the centerlink by the pitman arm.

Claim 9

The linkage of claim 6 wherein the end of the centerlink received in the shock absorbing device terminates in a piston received in an inner cylinder of the said shock absorbing device, and the said shock absorbing devIce including fluid chambers, said cylinder being one of said chambers, fluid in said chambers and restricted ports communicating said chambers and movement of the said piston within the said cylinder causing movement of the said fluid through the said ports whereby the device operates as a shock absorber.