Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-31
2001-11-13
Green, Mary Ann (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Elements
C403S374300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314833
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus for attaching a vehicle steering wheel to a vehicle steering shaft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A vehicle steering shaft is typically connected for joint rotation with a vehicle steering wheel by a splined connection. In one conventional design, a threaded axial extension on the end of the steering shaft projects through an axial opening in a base plate of the steering wheel. A nut is screwed on the threaded extension on the steering shaft to prevent axial movement of the steering wheel relative to the steering shaft. An air bag module is then secured in the steering wheel and conceals the nut.
Another known design for preventing axial movement between the steering shaft and the steering wheel uses a radially extending setscrew that engages the steering shaft. The setscrew is supported in a radial bore that extends through a hub portion of the steering wheel. This design is particularly useful for securing a steering wheel in which the air bag module is pre-assembled into the steering wheel because the presence of the air bag module prevents access to a nut as would be used in the aforementioned conventional design. The radially extending setscrew is accessed from the side of the steering shaft in the radial direction. Several other known designs for preventing axial movement between the steering shaft and the steering wheel employ a fastener that is accessed from the radial direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus comprising a vehicle steering wheel including a hub portion having a splined inner surface and diametrically opposed first and second angled surface portions. A vehicle steering shaft is rotatable about a first axis to effect vehicle steering. The steering shaft includes an end portion having an outer surface with splines that mesh with the splined inner surface of the hub portion to connect the steering shaft non-rotatably with the steering wheel for joint rotation about the first axis. The end portion of the steering shaft includes an inner surface defining a passage through the end portion that extends transverse to the first axis. A bolt has a head portion at a first end and a threaded outer surface adjacent a second end. The bolt includes a shank portion between the head portion and the threaded outer surface. The shank portion is disposed in the passage through the end portion of the steering shaft and engages the inner surface defining the passage. The head portion of the bolt has a first frustoconical surface. A nut having a threaded inner surface engages the threaded outer surface of the bolt. The nut includes a second frustoconical surface. The first frustoconical surface on the bolt and the second frustoconical surface on the nut engage the diametrically opposed first and second angled surface portions, respectively, on the hub portion of the steering wheel. These engagements create a compressive reaction load between the hub portion and the steering shaft and block relative movement between the steering wheel and the steering shaft along the first axis.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the end portion of the steering shaft includes an annular groove. The steering wheel includes a base plate through which the hub portion extends. A spring clip secures the steering wheel to the steering shaft in the absence of the bolt. The spring clip has a U-shaped end portion, which snaps around the base plate of the steering wheel, and a pair of resilient legs, which extend across the base plate. The legs of the spring clip are disposed in the annular groove in the steering shaft.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5588337 (1996-12-01), Milton
patent: 5615910 (1997-04-01), Margetak et al.
patent: 5617763 (1997-04-01), Cymbal
patent: 5848806 (1998-12-01), Hosoi et al.
patent: 5855145 (1999-01-01), Hosoi et al.
patent: 5921147 (1999-07-01), Nagata et al.
patent: 6199448 (2001-03-01), Ruedisueli et al.
Green Mary Ann
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Inc.
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