US4028957A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rack and pinion steering unit
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-10-31
•
Granted: 1977-06-14
•
Expires: 1995-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A housing for rack and pinion gears incorporates a downward facing slot. The rack slides on a bearing surface above the slot and includes a centrally mounted flange extending downwardly through the slot for mounting tie rod ends. The pinion gear is carried in a bushing and bearing and engages the upper gear tooth surface of the rack. Extremes of travel of the rack are accommodated by flexible boots covering the open ends of the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Cecil Edward Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:37
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D3/00; B62D3/02; B62D3/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19642; Y10T74/1967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A rack and pinion steering unit for mounting on the front end of a vehicle and connected to the steering shaft of the vehicle comprising: housing means adapted for mounting between the steered wheels of a vehicle, a pinion gear rotatably mounted in said housing means, a rack adapted to be driven by the steering shaft of the vehicle mounted in said housing means for engagement with said pinion gear and for reciprocal translation within said housing means, said housing means comprising an elongated rack sub-housing receiving said rack and having a downwardly facing elongated opening, said rack sub-housing including a bearing plate having an elongated slot mounted at the lower terminal portion of said elongated sub-housing and having a substantial bearing area in contact with said rack, tie rod mounting means for connection to two tie rods for transmitting the translational movements of said rack into steering movements into the steered wheels of said vehicle, said tie rod mounting means for being positioned substantially equidistant between the steered wheels of a vehicle and for mounting substantially equal length tie rods, said tie rod mounting means comprising a flange depending substantially vertically downwardly from the central, lower surface of said rack and through said slot in said bearing plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
A rack and pinion steering unit for mounting on the front end of a vehicle and connected to the steering shaft of the vehicle comprising: housing means adapted for mounting between the steered wheels of a vehicle, a pinion gear rotatably mounted in said housing means, a rack adapted to be driven by the steering shaft of the vehicle mounted in said housing means for engagement with said pinion gear and for reciprocal translation within said housing means, said housing means comprising an elongated rack sub-housing receiving said rack and having a downwardly facing elongated opening, said rack sub-housing including a bearing plate having an elongated slot mounted at the lower terminal portion of said elongated sub-housing and having a substantial bearing area in contact with said rack, tie rod mounting means for connection to two tie rods for transmitting the translational movements of said rack into steering movements into the steered wheels of said vehicle, said tie rod mounting means for being positioned substantially equidistant between the steered wheels of a vehicle and for mounting substantially equal length tie rods, said tie rod mounting means comprising a flange depending substantially vertically downwardly from the central, lower surface of said rack and through said slot in said bearing plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The rack and pinion steering unit according to claim 1 wherein: said rack subhousing has open ends, said rack extends beyond said open ends at the extremes of said reciprocal translation, and flexible elongated boots received over said open rack sub-housing ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The rack and pinion steering unit according to claim 1 wherein: said housing means additionally comprises a pinion sub-housing incorporating a bearing for rotation of said pinion gear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The rack and pinion steering unit according to claim 3 wherein: said pinion gear comprises a gear portion and a shaft extending from both sides of said gear portion, a first end of said shaft being mounted in said bearing and the second side of said shaft being mounted in a bushing received in said pinion sub-housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-13 | 1980-12-13 | 1981-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-13 | 1984-12-13 | 1985-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-13 | 1988-12-13 | 1989-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |