Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Directly cooperating gears
Reexamination Certificate
2011-07-19
2011-07-19
Ridley, Richard W (Department: 3656)
Machine element or mechanism
Gearing
Directly cooperating gears
C074S409000, C074S3880PS, C384S255000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07980152
ABSTRACT:
A steering apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber and an aperture extending into the chamber. A rack is disposed within the chamber and moveable along a longitudinal axis. A pinion extends into the chamber for meshing engagement with the rack. A bearing supports the rack within the chamber relative to the housing. The bearing includes a wall having a continuously varying radial thickness. An adjustment mechanism includes a shaft partially disposed within the aperture in threaded engagement with the aperture and engaging the bearing for rotating the bearing about the longitudinal axis, thereby repositioning the rack relative to the pinion. A plug is disposed within the aperture. A spring is disposed within the aperture between the plug and the shaft to bias against the shaft, thereby urging rotational threaded movement of the shaft to produce linear movement of the shaft into engagement with the bearing.
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Cantor & Colburn LLP
Johnson Matthew A
Nexteer (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.
Ridley Richard W
LandOfFree
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