Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Directly cooperating gears
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-06
2001-09-11
Herrmann, Allan D. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Gearing
Directly cooperating gears
C074S498000, C411S214000, C411S403000, C411S410000, C470S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286382
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a rack and pinion steering gear and a method of manufacturing a rack and pinion steering gear for use in turning steerable wheels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A known rack and pinion steering gear for use in turning steerable wheels of a vehicle includes a pinion which is disposed within a housing and which is operatively coupled with a vehicle steering wheel. A transversely extending rack is also disposed within the housing and is in meshing engagement with the pinion. Rotation of the steering wheel produces linear movement of the rack which causes the steerable wheels to turn laterally of the vehicle.
In the known rack and pinion steering gear, a yoke presses the rack into engagement with the pinion. The yoke is typically secured in the housing by a yoke plug which screws into the housing over an outboard end of the yoke. A helical spring is disposed between the yoke plug and the yoke to ensure firm meshing engagement between teeth on the rack and teeth on the pinion.
Various methods have been proposed for retaining the yoke plug in the housing in order to maintain the position of the yoke against the rack inside the housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a rack and pinion steering gear comprises a rack and a housing for receiving the rack. The housing has a chamber for receiving a rack supporting yoke. The chamber has a threaded portion with internal threads. A rack supporting yoke is disposed in the chamber and supports the rack for movement in the housing. An externally threaded yoke plug is screwed into the internal threads of the threaded portion of the chamber. An externally threaded lock nut is screwed into the internal threads and into abutting engagement with the yoke plug to lock the yoke plug in the housing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5718149 (1998-02-01), Phillips
patent: 6053670 (2000-04-01), Schmid
patent: 6119540 (2000-09-01), Phillips
Douglass Kenneth N.
Spagnuolo Steven P.
Herrmann Allan D.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Inc.
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