Steering attachment with tapered pin and fastener

Details Steering attachment with tapered pin and fastener Steering attachment with tapered pin and fastener

1999-11-09

2001-03-13

Green, MaryAnn (Department: 3682)

Machine element or mechanism

Control lever and linkage systems

Elements

C403S379400, C403S374300

Reexamination Certificate

active

06199448

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the attachment of a vehicle steering wheel and/or a vehicle occupant safety apparatus to the steering shaft of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A conventional apparatus for supporting a steering wheel and a driver's side air bag module on a vehicle steering shaft includes a mounting member. The mounting member has a hub which receives an end portion of the steering shaft. A set screw is supported in a radially extending bore in the hub of the mounting member. The set screw engages the end portion of the steering shaft to hold the mounting member on the steering shaft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus comprises a vehicle steering shaft, a mounting member, a locking pin, and a nut. The vehicle steering shaft is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to effect vehicle steering. The steering shaft has a first locking pin passage extending through the steering shaft and transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first locking pin passage is defined in part by first and second tapered surface portions. Each of the first and second tapered surface portions tapers from a first circumference to a second smaller circumference in a direction from an exterior surface of the steering shaft toward the longitudinal axis. The first and second tapered surface portions taper in opposite directions. The mounting member is receivable on the steering shaft and has a second locking pin passage. The locking pin is long enough to extend through both the first and second locking pin passages for securing the mounting member to the steering shaft. The locking pin has a tapered portion for engaging the first tapered surface portion of the first locking pin passage and a threaded portion. The nut engages the threaded portion of the locking pin for securing the locking pin in engagement with the steering shaft and the mounting member to lock the mounting member and the steering shaft together for joint rotation. The nut has a tapered portion engagable with the second tapered surface portion of the first locking pin passage.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3047318 (1962-07-01), Berkshire
patent: 5344252 (1994-09-01), Kakimoto
patent: 5588337 (1996-12-01), Milton
patent: 5615910 (1997-04-01), Margetak et al.
patent: 5617763 (1997-04-01), Cymbal
patent: 5685559 (1997-11-01), Cuevas
patent: 5921147 (1999-07-01), Nagata et al.
patent: 5975561 (1999-11-01), Harvey et al.
patent: WO9509756 (1995-04-01), None
Co-pending U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 09/206,060, filed Dec. 4, 1998 entitled “Steering Shaft Attachment”.

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