US4095482A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rack and pinion steering apparatus
Assignee: Volkswagen AG
•
Filing: 1976-11-22
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Granted: 1978-06-20
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Expires: 1996-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A rack and pinion steering apparatus is provided with a compression spring mechanism bearing against the rack and urging the rack into engagement with a pinion connected to the steering wheel. The compressing spring mechanism is maintained against the pinion with a self-adjusting mechanism for removing play resulting from wear.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Kirschner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:36
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; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19642; Y10T74/1967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
Steering appartus for a motor vehicle comprising a housing, a rack, displaceable along a longitudinal axis and engaged with a rotatable pinion in said housing, compression spring means in said housing urging said rack into engagement with said pinion and having an adjusted compression distance, and a self-adjusting mechanism arranged between said compression means and said housing, for eliminating play between said compression means and said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
Steering appartus for a motor vehicle comprising a housing, a rack, displaceable along a longitudinal axis and engaged with a rotatable pinion in said housing, compression spring means in said housing urging said rack into engagement with said pinion and having an adjusted compression distance, and a self-adjusting mechanism arranged between said compression means and said housing, for eliminating play between said compression means and said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
Steering apparatus as specified in claim 1 wherein said compression means comprises a pressure member for contacting said rack, a base in contact with said self-adjusting mechanism, a spring urging said pressure member and said base apart by said compression distance and a screw arranged between said pressure member and said base for adjusting said compression distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
Steering apparatus as specified in claim 1 wherein said self-adjusting mechanism comprises a self-locking screw, arranged to have an effective screw length between said housing and said compression means, and a prestressed spring acting upon said screw to urge said screw into a greater effective screw length thereby to eliminate play between said compression means and said housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-19 | 1981-12-19 | 1982-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-19 | 1985-12-19 | 1986-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-19 | 1989-12-19 | 1990-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |