Rack and pinion steering gear for automotive vehicles
First Claim
1. A rack and pinion steering gear wherein a pinion is carried on a shaft driving interconnected with a braking device and means whereby, on the application of a road shock force from the rack to the pinion acting to turn the pinion about the axis of the shaft, lost motion of the said shaft is utilized to actuate said braking device to inhibit the rotation of the shaft and thus the transmission of forces from the rack to a steering wheel, means being provided whereby the said braking device is actuated only when the force applied by the rack to the pinion exceeds a predetermined value, further means being provided whereby said braking device is not actuated or is actuated to a reduced extent, by means of forces applied by the pinion to the rack.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rack and pinion steering gear incorporating controlled rack loading through the range of rack operation and providing optional pinion damping or braking selectively preventing or minimizing road shock forces from affecting the steering wheel without inhibiting steering motions by the driver, and providing optional improved ball-stud cross-rod construction.
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Citations
9 Claims
- 1. A rack and pinion steering gear wherein a pinion is carried on a shaft driving interconnected with a braking device and means whereby, on the application of a road shock force from the rack to the pinion acting to turn the pinion about the axis of the shaft, lost motion of the said shaft is utilized to actuate said braking device to inhibit the rotation of the shaft and thus the transmission of forces from the rack to a steering wheel, means being provided whereby the said braking device is actuated only when the force applied by the rack to the pinion exceeds a predetermined value, further means being provided whereby said braking device is not actuated or is actuated to a reduced extent, by means of forces applied by the pinion to the rack.
- 5. A rack and pinion steering gear having a cross-rod and a rack cooperating with a pinion, wherein the rack is formed as a member separate from and mounted directly on and connected to the cross-rod, said rack being positioned between said cross-rod and said pinion and being supported by said cross-rod against forces exerted by said pinion against said rack tending to move said rack toward the axis of the cross rod, said rack being flexibly cambered in an axial direction to provide spring loading between the rack and the pinion.
- 8. A rack and pinion steering gear having a cross-rod and a rack cooperating with a pinion, wherein, the rack is formed as a member separate from and mounted directly on and connected to the cross-rod, said rack being positioned between said cross-rod and said pinion and being supported by said cross-rod against forces exerted by said pinion against said rack tending to move said rack toward the axis of the cross rod, said rack being supported by resilient means on the cross-rod to provide spring loading between the rack and the pinion.
Specification