Bearings – Rotary bearing – Antifriction bearing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-26
2003-02-04
Footland, Lenard A. (Department: 3682)
Bearings
Rotary bearing
Antifriction bearing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06513984
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a vehicle steering column having a steering shaft that is supported by bearings for rotation within a housing or jacket tube.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A typical vehicle steering column includes a housing, or jacket tube, fixed in position in the vehicle. A steering shaft is supported in the jacket tube, by a plurality of bearings, for rotation relative to the jacket tube. The steering shaft is connected for rotation with the vehicle steering wheel. The inner races of the bearings are press fit on the steering shaft. The outer races of the bearings are pressed in position in the jacket tube.
It is desirable that the outer diameter of the shaft, the inner and outer diameters of the bearing, and the inner diameters of the bores in the jacket tube, all correspond closely, so that the shaft rotates smoothly in the jacket tube, and so that the shaft and jacket tube are concentric. This can require very close tolerances and concentricity in manufacturing the parts. It is known (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,179,473; 5,664,806; and 5,193,917) to use a tolerance ring in a steering column to accommodate variations in diameter. It is also known (U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,763) to secure a bearing in a housing with an injection molded plastic material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus comprising a steering shaft and a steering column member for supporting the steering shaft. A bearing supports the steering shaft for rotation relative to the steering column member. An adhesive fixes the bearing in position between the steering shaft and the steering column member. The adhesive is cured in a non-elastic state.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5193917 (1993-03-01), Adler et al.
patent: 5664806 (1997-09-01), Vortmeyer et al.
patent: 5853520 (1998-12-01), Rich et al.
patent: 5934763 (1999-08-01), Conradsson et al.
patent: 6179473 (2001-01-01), Ponson et al.
Product Literature for loctite brand threadlocker adhesive. (no date).
LandOfFree
Steering column with bearings does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Steering column with bearings, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Steering column with bearings will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3180807