Patents Examined by Pamela Hawthorne
  • Patent number: 6062982
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for turning steerable vehicle wheels (12 and 14) includes a plurality of longitudinally extending force transmitting members (24, 40, 42, 46 and 48) which are connected with coupling assemblies (30, 34 and 36). At least some of the coupling assemblies (30, 34 and 36) include an improved coupling component (52) having a base (56) with a first circular, radially outwardly facing mounting surface (64) for engaging an inner side surface (84) on a tubular force transmitting member (40). In addition, the base (56) of the coupling component (52) includes a second circular mounting surface (66) having a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first circular mounting surface (64) and which is engageable with an inner side surface (94) of a tubular force transmitting member (48) having a smaller diameter than the first tubular force transmitting member (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Cartwright