Snap on lower bracket and bearing support

Details Snap on lower bracket and bearing support Snap on lower bracket and bearing support

2004-12-15

2008-12-30

Fenstermacher, David M (Department: 3682)

Machine element or mechanism

Control lever and linkage systems

Hand operated

C280S775000, C280S777000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07469615

ABSTRACT:
The present invention provides a snap-on lower bracket (14, 14a) and bearing support for supporting a collapsible steering shaft in a vehicle. The invention includes a lower steering column jacket (12, 12b) defining a depression and a bracket (14, 14a) defining a tab that cooperates with the depression. For example, when the lower steering column jacket (12, 12b) and the support bracket (14, 14a) are engaged with respect to one another, the tab engages the depression in a snap-fit relationship. The snap-fit relationship provides sufficient strength to maintain the position of the lower steering column jacket (12, 12b) relative to the vehicle during normal vehicle handling. In the event of an impact situation, the lower steering column jacket (12, 12b) can move in response to the driver impacting the steering wheel and urge the tab out of engagement with the depression.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4600207 (1986-07-01), Zosi
patent: 4616522 (1986-10-01), White et al.
patent: 4682788 (1987-07-01), Yoshimura
patent: 4730508 (1988-03-01), Haldric et al.
patent: RE32641 (1988-04-01), Swoveland
patent: 4773674 (1988-09-01), Wierschem
patent: 4884778 (1989-12-01), Yamamoto
patent: 4914970 (1990-04-01), Mastrofrancesco et al.
patent: 4951522 (1990-08-01), Chowdhury et al.
patent: 5127670 (1992-07-01), Hoblingre et al.
patent: 5169172 (1992-12-01), Dolla
patent: 5180189 (1993-01-01), Moreno
patent: 5228359 (1993-07-01), Thomas
patent: 5336013 (1994-08-01), Duffy et al.
patent: 5358350 (1994-10-01), Oertle
patent: 5470107 (1995-11-01), Muntener et al.
patent: 5553888 (1996-09-01), Turner et al.
patent: 5560257 (1996-10-01), DeBisschop et al.
patent: 5609063 (1997-03-01), Hedderly et al.
patent: 5645299 (1997-07-01), Dies et al.
patent: 5673938 (1997-10-01), Kaliszewski
patent: 5722300 (1998-03-01), Burkhard et al.
patent: 5743150 (1998-04-01), Fevre et al.
patent: 5868426 (1999-02-01), Edwards et al.
patent: 6039502 (2000-03-01), Naff et al.
patent: 6099038 (2000-08-01), Jurik et al.
patent: 6176151 (2001-01-01), Cymbal
patent: 6205882 (2001-03-01), Jolley
patent: 6264240 (2001-07-01), Hancock
patent: 6276719 (2001-08-01), Gartner
patent: 6279953 (2001-08-01), Cartwright
patent: 6322103 (2001-11-01), Li et al.
patent: 6378934 (2002-04-01), Palazzolo et al.
patent: 6382670 (2002-05-01), Badaire et al.
patent: 6450533 (2002-09-01), Kimura et al.
patent: 6453555 (2002-09-01), Kato et al.
patent: 6474189 (2002-11-01), Koellisch et al.
patent: 6540618 (2003-04-01), MacDonald et al.
patent: 6578449 (2003-06-01), Anspaugh et al.
patent: 6644690 (2003-11-01), Brownlee et al.
patent: 6655715 (2003-12-01), Anspaugh et al.
patent: 6666772 (2003-12-01), Cheney et al.
patent: 6685225 (2004-02-01), Hancock et al.
patent: 6698793 (2004-03-01), Takano et al.
patent: 6749222 (2004-06-01), Manwaring et al.
patent: 6799780 (2004-10-01), Anspaugh et al.
patent: 7124866 (2006-10-01), Manwaring et al.
patent: 2003/0042723 (2003-03-01), Riefe
patent: 2004/0232685 (2004-11-01), Gatti et al.
patent: 2006/0033320 (2006-02-01), Finkbeiner et al.
patent: 2006/0049621 (2006-03-01), Lee
patent: 2007/0039403 (2007-02-01), Manwaring et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Snap on lower bracket and bearing support does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Snap on lower bracket and bearing support, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Snap on lower bracket and bearing support will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4039060