US4384861A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal joint shaft, particularly for a steering column of motor vehicles
Assignee: LWM Lemfoerder Gelenkwellen GmbH
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Filing: 1980-10-03
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Granted: 1983-05-24
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Expires: 2000-10-03
Abstract
Abstract The universal joint shaft, particularly for a steering column of a motor vehicle, includes a tubular outer shaft, a tubular inner shaft slidably mounted in the outer shaft for axial telescoping movement relative to the outer shaft and engageable for rotation therewith, a bearing between the inner and outer shafts, and a guide tube member between the inner and outer shafts for guiding the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft and transmitting torque between the inner and outer shafts.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunther Lange
- 👤 Hans Hucklenbroich
- 👤 Jurgen Ulderup
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:39
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/185; B62D33/00; B62D33/06; B62D33/063; B62D33/073; F; F16; F16C; F16C29/00; F16C29/04; F16C29/06; F16C29/0678; F16C3/00; F16C3/02; F16C3/03; F16C3/035; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/02; F16D3/06; F16D3/065; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/20; F16C2326/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A universal joint shaft, particularly for a steering column of a motor vehicle, comprising a tubular outer shaft, a tubular inner shaft slidably mounted in said outer shaft for axial telescoping movement realative to said outer shaft and engageable for rotation therewith, bearing means between said inner and outer shafts, guide means between said inner and outer shafts for guiding said inner shaft relative to said outer shaft and transmitting torque between said inner and outer shafts, said guide means comprising a tubular guide tube, said inner shaft comprising two separate shaft portions concentrically received in said guide tube, said bearing means being connected to a first one of said shaft portions and the second one of said shaft portions being axially displaceable in said guide tube, and slide friction means engaged between said second one of said shaft portions and said guide tube for resisting axial motion therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A universal joint shaft, particularly for a steering column of a motor vehicle, comprising a tubular outer shaft, a tubular inner shaft slidably mounted in said outer shaft for axial telescoping movement realative to said outer shaft and engageable for rotation therewith, bearing means between said inner and outer shafts, guide means between said inner and outer shafts for guiding said inner shaft relative to said outer shaft and transmitting torque between said inner and outer shafts, said guide means comprising a tubular guide tube, said inner shaft comprising two separate shaft portions concentrically received in said guide tube, said bearing means being connected to a first one of said shaft portions and the second one of said shaft portions being axially displaceable in said guide tube, and slide friction means engaged between said second one of said shaft portions and said guide tube for resisting axial motion therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inner shaft includes a splined portion engageable with said guide tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide tube is fixedly connected at a first end to said first one of said shaft portions and slidably mounted to said outer shaft at an opposite second end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 3, further comprising means for elastically supporting said second end of said guide tube and circumferentially sealing the space between said guide tube and said outer shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 4, wherein said support means comprises a seal ring of a prestressed elastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 5, further comprising spring means mounted to said bearing means and said outer shaft for biasing the bearing means and outer shaft relative to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inner shaft includes a splined portion engageable with said guide means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for releasably locking said guide means relative to said outer shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 8, wherein said slide friction means comprises an elastic ring connected to said guide tube and engaged against said second one of said shaft portion, said means for releasably locking said guide tube comprising a groove defined in said second one of said shaft portions for receiving said elastic ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for locking said guide tube to said outer shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 10, wherein said locking means comprises a bearing ring mounted intermediate said guide tube and said outer shaft, a resilient ring operatively inteconnecting said first and second ones of said shaft portions, and at least one of said resilient ring and said bearing ring including means detachably connecting said resilient ring to said bearing ring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 11, wherein said connecting means includes a raised portion formed on said resilient ring and said bearing ring includes a circular groove for receiving said raised portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 12, wherein said resilient ring is an elastomer, and includes one or more longitudinal slots extending from said raised portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 13 wherein said second one of said shaft portions includes a circumferential groove for fittingly receiving said bearing ring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The universal joint shaft, as set forth in claim 14 wherein said slide friction means comprises an elastic ring connected to said guide tube and engaged against said second one of said shaft portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The universal joint shaft as set forth in claim 15, wherein said elastic ring is prestressed against said second one of said shaft portion.
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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) | 1986-05-23 | 1986-11-22 | 1987-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-23 | 1990-11-22 | 1991-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-23 | 1994-11-22 | 1995-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |