Patent US3926069A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3926069A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Breakaway universal joint assembly
Assignee: Volkswagen AG
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Filing: 1974-10-18
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1994-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A safety steering column extends between a steering wheel assembly for a vehicle and a steering gear assembly for the vehicle. A breakaway universal joint assembly in the steering column includes a spider having four arms disposed in a crosslike configuration. A first yoke is releasably coupled to a first two opposed arms of the spider, while a second yoke is coupled to the other two opposed arms of the spider. The first yoke is formed with two pockets that open in directions generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the steering column and the end portions of the corresponding arms of the spider are releasably press-fit into the pockets. Thus, when a load in excess of a predetermined release load is exerted on the joint assembly, the first yoke will release the ends of the spider arms.
Inventors
- 👤 Josef Wenninger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:27
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/192; F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/26; F16D3/38; F16D3/40; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/44; Y10T408/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
In a safety steering column for a vehicle having a steering wheel assembly and a steering gear assembly, the steering column extending between the steering wheel assembly and the steering gear assembly, the improvement comprising a breakaway universal joint assembly that includes a spider having four arms disposed in a cross-like configuration, a first yoke releasably coupled to a first two opposed arms of the spider, and a second yoke coupled to a second two opposed arms of the spider, the first yoke being adapted to release the first two opposed arms in response to a load exerted on the joint assembly which exceeds a predetermined load and which is exerted in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the steering column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a safety steering column for a vehicle having a steering wheel assembly and a steering gear assembly, the steering column extending between the steering wheel assembly and the steering gear assembly, the improvement comprising a breakaway universal joint assembly that includes a spider having four arms disposed in a cross-like configuration, a first yoke releasably coupled to a first two opposed arms of the spider, and a second yoke coupled to a second two opposed arms of the spider, the first yoke being adapted to release the first two opposed arms in response to a load exerted on the joint assembly which exceeds a predetermined load and which is exerted in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the steering column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
An improvement according to claim 1, wherein the first yoke is formed with two pockets that each receive an end portion of a different one of said first two opposed arms, the pockets being open in directions generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the steering column and the end portions of the first two opposed arms being releasably press-fit into said pockets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An improvement according to claim 2, wherein said pockets open toward the steering wheel assembly and the first yoke is rigidly connected to a portion of the steering column extending between the breakaway universal joint assembly and the steering wheel assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An improvement according to claim 2, wherein said pockets open toward the steering gear assembly and the first yoke is rigidly connected to a portion of the steering column extending between the breakaway universal joint assembly and the steering gear assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An improvement according to claim 2, wherein the breakaway universal joint assembly also includes resilient bearing members disposed in said pockets between walls of said pockets and surfaces of the end portions of the first two opposed arms.
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) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |