US3979968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slack adjustment and take-up device for kinematic couplings of the rack and pinion type
Assignee: Fiat Auto SpA
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Filing: 1975-05-21
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Granted: 1976-09-14
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Expires: 1995-05-21
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a slack adjustment and take-up device for kinemc couplings of the rack and pinion type, particularly for the steering box of motor vehicles, in which a rotatably supported pinion engages with a rack guided in a translatory manner in the box. The main feature of this invention consists in that a threaded member is screwed into the box to thrust the rack on to the pinion, said threaded member being provided with circumferential markings which form a vernier system with corresponding markings on the box.
Inventors
- 👤 Vittorio Ceccherini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:10
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H55/00; F16H55/02; F16H55/26; F16H55/28; F16H55/283; B; B62; B62D; B62D3/00; B62D3/02; B62D3/12; B62D3/123; G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19623; Y10T74/19642; Y10T74/1967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
Slack adjustment and take-up device for kinematic couplings of the rack and pinion type, and in particular for the steering box of motor vehicles, in which a rotatably supported pinion engages with a rack guided in a translatory manner in the box, comprising a threaded member screwed into the box to thrust the rack on to the pinion, and provided with circumferential markings which form a vernier system with corresponding markings on the box, said vernier system consisting of a crown comprising notches, provided upperly on the threaded member, and a collar provided at the adjacent zone on the box and comprising a number of notches one greater than the number of notches on the crown.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
Slack adjustment and take-up device for kinematic couplings of the rack and pinion type, and in particular for the steering box of motor vehicles, in which a rotatably supported pinion engages with a rack guided in a translatory manner in the box, comprising a threaded member screwed into the box to thrust the rack on to the pinion, and provided with circumferential markings which form a vernier system with corresponding markings on the box, said vernier system consisting of a crown comprising notches, provided upperly on the threaded member, and a collar provided at the adjacent zone on the box and comprising a number of notches one greater than the number of notches on the crown.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the threaded member may be closed by a cover, from the bottom of which projects a rib designed to engage with two mutually aligned notches of the crown and collar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rack is urged by elastic means consisting of a spring located between the member and a block which presses against the rack and slides in the box perpendicular to the pinion axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rack is resiliently urged by the member and by a pressure block constructed of a material capable of satisfying the resilient requirements.
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) | 1979-09-14 | 1980-03-15 | 1980-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-14 | 1984-03-15 | 1984-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-14 | 1988-03-15 | 1988-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |