US4187736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rack steering
Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
•
Filing: 1978-08-10
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Granted: 1980-02-12
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Expires: 1998-08-10
Abstract
Abstract Rack steering gear is provided wherein the rack is slidable between cushioning devices on a guide member reciprocated through the cushioning devices and which connects to the steering linkage mechanism for actuation thereof. Road shock is absorbed by the cushioning devices so as not to be transmitted to the rack and thus to the primary steering system comprising the steering wheel and the steering shaft which conventionally actuates the rack through a pinion. The cushioning devices are constructed so that minor shocks are quickly absorbed to preclude vibration and chattering.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Haegele
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:08
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D3/00; B62D3/02; B62D3/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19642; Y10T74/1967; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
In a gear rack steering device comprising a steering shaft having a pinion and a gear rack engaged thereby, the improvement which comprises a guide bar with said gear rack being slidably carried thereon; shock cushioning means carried by said guide bar and secured thereto and engaging respective ends of said gear rack; said guide bar being adapted for connection to a steering linkage mechanism and reciprocated through said cushioning means by said gear rack to effect steering by operation of said steering shaft; wherein road shock transmitted from a steering linkage mechanism to said guide bar is absorbed by said cushioning devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a gear rack steering device comprising a steering shaft having a pinion and a gear rack engaged thereby, the improvement which comprises a guide bar with said gear rack being slidably carried thereon; shock cushioning means carried by said guide bar and secured thereto and engaging respective ends of said gear rack; said guide bar being adapted for connection to a steering linkage mechanism and reciprocated through said cushioning means by said gear rack to effect steering by operation of said steering shaft; wherein road shock transmitted from a steering linkage mechanism to said guide bar is absorbed by said cushioning devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a steering device as set forth in claim 1, said guide bar being tubular and coaxially encompassed by said gear rack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a steering device as set forth in claims 1 or 2, including split bushing means intermediate said gear rack and said guide bar movable with said gear rack and O-rings carried by said gear rack engaging said bushing means to circumferentially contract said bushing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a steering device as set forth in claims 1 or 2, including a housing supporting an end of said guide bar and pressure pad means carried by said housing and engaging said guide bar to maintain steering shaft pinion and gear rack engagement and guidance for said guide bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a steering device as set forth in claim 1 or 2, said cushioning means at each end of said gear rack comprising flexible dished springs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a steering device as set forth in claim 5, said dished springs being in sets at each end of said gear rack and at least one of said springs in each set being more resilient than the others to absorb minor shock and vibration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a steering device as set forth in claim 5, including split bushing means intermediate said gear rack and said guide bar movable with said gear rack and O-rings carried by said gear rack engaging said bushing means to circumferentially contract said bushing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a steering device as set forth in claim 5, said dished springs being in sets at each end of said gear rack and at least one of said springs in each set being more resilient than the others to absorb minor shock and vibration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
In a steering device as set forth in claim 5, including a housing supporting an end of said guide bar and pressure pad means carried by said housing and engaging said guide bar to maintain steering shaft pinion and gear rack engagement and guidance for said guide bar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a steering device as set forth in claim 5, said dished springs being in sets at each end of said gear rack and at least one of said springs in each set being more resilient than the others to absorb minor shock and vibration, and including split bushing means intermediate said gear rack and said guide bar movable with said gear rack and O-rings carried by said gear rack engaging said bushing means to circumferentially contract said bushing means, and including a housing supporting an end of said guide bar and pressure pad means carried by said housing and engaging said guide bar to maintain steering shaft pinion and gear rack engagement and guidance for said guide bar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3593593A
Cited
US3745850A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-02-11 | 1983-08-13 | 1984-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-11 | 1987-08-13 | 1988-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-11 | 1991-08-13 | 1992-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |