Apparatus for turning steerable vehicle wheels

Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Follow-up mechanism

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C074S422000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06247375

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus for turning steerable vehicle wheels, and is particularly directed to a rack and pinion steering gear for turning steerable vehicle 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 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 pinion 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 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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle upon turning of a vehicle steering wheel. The apparatus comprises a housing having a chamber, a rack movable in opposite directions in the chamber to effect turning of the steerable wheels in opposite directions, a pinion meshed with the rack, and a yoke partially disposed in the housing and supporting the rack for sliding movement relative to the yoke. The yoke comprises a molded plastic body having a recess and a plate spring located in the recess. The plate spring has a surface engaging the rack and biasing the rack into engagement with the pinion. The plate spring supports the rack for sliding movement relative to the plate spring.


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patent: 6076417 (2000-06-01), Engler

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