US4833936A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering column with elastic means for taking up play
Assignee: Fiat Auto SpA
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Filing: 1988-03-01
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Granted: 1989-05-30
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Expires: 2008-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A motor vehicle steering column comprises two telescopically interconnected portions, between which at least an elastic means is mounted which keeps conjugated walls of the said telescopic portions in reciprocal play-free contact in order to cancel out the rotational clearances, or play, between the said telescopic portions.
Inventors
- 👤 Gaetano Mariani
- 👤 Paolo Romele
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:10
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/02; F16D3/06; B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A motor vehicle steering column connected at one end to a steering wheel and at the other end to a steering mechanism of a vehicle, said steering column comprising telescopically interconnected portions with engagement of respective conjugated walls; said interconnected portions consisting of two shafts which are telescopically interconnected, said conjugated walls of said two shafts having a grooved-profile coupling which restrains said two shafts in a rotative manner, a hollow being formed in the grooved-profile coupling of one of said conjugated walls, said hollow extending longitudinally along the grooved-profile, a pre-loaded elastic means in the form of a leaf spring being disposed longitudinally within said hollow for acting radially between said conjugated surfaces of the grooved-profile coupling in order to keep at least a circumferential portion of the grooved-profile coupling under pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A motor vehicle steering column connected at one end to a steering wheel and at the other end to a steering mechanism of a vehicle, said steering column comprising telescopically interconnected portions with engagement of respective conjugated walls; said interconnected portions consisting of two shafts which are telescopically interconnected, said conjugated walls of said two shafts having a grooved-profile coupling which restrains said two shafts in a rotative manner, a hollow being formed in the grooved-profile coupling of one of said conjugated walls, said hollow extending longitudinally along the grooved-profile, a pre-loaded elastic means in the form of a leaf spring being disposed longitudinally within said hollow for acting radially between said conjugated surfaces of the grooved-profile coupling in order to keep at least a circumferential portion of the grooved-profile coupling under pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The steering column as defined in claim 1, wherein one of said two shafts is a hollow shaft and the other of said two shafts is a solid shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The steering column as defined in claim 1, wherein said grooved-profile coupling includes at least one discharge means for removing debris from said notch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The steering column as defined in claim 1, wherein said grooved-profile coupling includes a plurality of discharge means for removing debris from said notch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The steering column as defined in claim 3, wherein said discharge means is an annular slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The steering column as defined in claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of discharge means is an annular slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The steering column as defined in claim 5, wherein said annular slot extends transversely to said notch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The steering column as defined in claim 6, wherein each annular slot extends transversely to said notch.
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) | 1992-05-29 | 1992-11-28 | 1993-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-29 | 1996-11-28 | 1997-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-29 | 2000-11-28 | 2001-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |