Steering Posts Patents (Class 74/492)
  • Publication number: 20100186535
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle includes a bracket unit bearing a steering spindle, and the unit is secured by means of securement bolts on a vehicle-stationary part. The securement bolts penetrate through elongated holes in the bracket unit or in the vehicle-stationary part, and the bracket unit in the event of a crash, is displaceable, starting from a starting position, with the displacement of the securement bolts in the elongated holes with respect to the vehicle-stationary part. Each elongated hole is disposed at least over a portion of its longitudinal extent in a retaining strip which, in the starting position of the bracket unit, includes a curvature, which, during a displacement of the bracket unit with respect to the vehicle-stationary part occurring in the event of a crash, is at least decreased through the cooperation with the securement bolt or a part disposed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Matteo Scapozza
  • Patent number: 7743681
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a support bracket and a column jacket coupled to the support bracket. A compression bracket is mounted to the column jacket. A clamping device is disposed on the support bracket and has a rake bolt extending through the support bracket and the compression bracket for applying a frictional force on the support bracket to prevent telescoping and tilting movement of the column jacket and the compression bracket relative to the support bracket. An actuation mechanism is coupled to the support bracket. The actuation mechanism rotates the rake bolt in a first direction to prevent telescoping and tilting movement of the column jacket. Likewise, the actuation mechanism rotates the rake bolt in a second direction to permit telescoping movement of the column jacket and the compression bracket relative to the actuation mechanism and the support bracket and tilting movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin V. Manwaring, Ravi Ravindra, Amelia M. Lask, Melvin L. Tinnin
  • Patent number: 7716959
    Abstract: A steering lock device includes a supporting bracket which is attached to a steering lock body including a lock member restricting rotation of a steering shaft within a steering column and is fastened to the steering lock body to fix the steering lock body to the steering column. The supporting bracket includes a shaft supporting portion pivotally supported by a supporting shaft; a shaft support cancellation preventing portion preventing to cancel the pivotable support of the shaft supporting portion by the supporting shaft; and an engagement holding portion holding the shaft support cancellation preventing portion. The steering body is provided with bearing portions through which the supporting shaft is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Okada
  • Patent number: 7712783
    Abstract: A modular column mount comprising a base fixture, a clamp float in engagement with the base fixture, and a first ring in engagement with the clamp float, the ring defining an aperture adapted to accept a steering column therethrough. The modular column mount further comprising at least one of a plurality of second rings of different predetermined inner and outer diameters used singularly or mixed and matched between the aperture of the first ring so as to provide various combinations providing a column mount of predetermined aperture size. The cost of manufacturing and inventory control of various first and second rings is substantially less than the cost of manufacturing and inventory control of column mounts of fixed aperture size in all the various aperture sizes that are possible and provided by the modular column mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: The Hoffman Group Int'l, Ltd
    Inventor: Lawrence Andrew Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20100109281
    Abstract: A bicycle handle and a system and a method transport an additional rider on a bicycle. The bicycle handle reversibly attaches to a seat post of the bicycle. A height of the bicycle handle adjusts to correspond to a height of the additional rider. The bicycle handle has a “T” shape that connects to the seat post of the bicycle. The bicycle handle has portions for gripping by the additional rider. The additional rider may be transported with pegs for feet of the additional rider that attach to the bicycle. The pegs fold down if not in use. The pegs extend in a direction forward and/or rearward to allow the foot of the additional rider to rest on the pegs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Royal Johnson
  • Patent number: 7695016
    Abstract: A device and method for steering mechanism breakaway are disclosed. In order to avoid harmful steering column intrusion into the passenger compartment of a vehicle in the event of vehicle collision, an intermediate link between the steering column and the steering gearbox is disposed. The intermediate link comprises of an inner shaft and an outer tube which are connected via longitudinal matching splines to facilitate rotational engagement. In normal operation the inner shaft may longitudinally move inside the tube. The outer tube has openings along it and detachment means at one end to facilitate detachment of the shaft from the tube through the openings when the shaft moves longitudinally into the tube beyond a certain point due to movement of the steering gearbox towards the steering column during a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Tata Motors Limited
    Inventor: Vinayak Gogate
  • Patent number: 7686515
    Abstract: A radially movable bearing for a shaft of a gear in a steering system includes a bush or outer ring that is supported in a receiving element of a mount or housing for the gear. In order to create a radially flexible bearing for the shaft of the gear, which movable bearing enables quiet operation for the entire service life of the gear, the outer ring or the bush is held by at least one support element that is inserted in a gap between the receiving element and the outer ring, and that is made of a material with elastomer behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Achim Schust
  • Patent number: 7685903
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly includes a column jacket extending along a longitudinal axis. The column jacket includes a compression bracket mounted thereto, and is supported by a mounting bracket. A pawl engages a telescope slot defined by the compression bracket in interlocking engagement to mechanically lock the longitudinal position of the column jacket relative to the mounting bracket. A transverse cam mechanism moves the pawl generally vertically into and out of engagement with the telescope slot. An axial cam mechanism compresses the compression bracket against the mounting bracket. The transverse cam mechanism and the axial cam mechanism are operated by shaft extending along a shaft axis intersecting the column jacket. The transverse cam mechanism and the axial cam mechanism each include first and second cam mechanism disposed on opposing sides of the column jacket and simultaneously operable by a lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Streng, Aaron T. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 7686337
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to steering column covers, and related assembly methods. According to some embodiments a steering column cover assembly can include a plurality of alignment and fastening means. For example, some embodiments include one or more sets of male/female clips, one or more track-and-barrel devices, one or more means for accepting a fastener, and one or more pivoting means. In some embodiments, the track-and-barrel device can include a feature for seating the barrel in the track in a snap fitted relation. Some embodiments comprise a process for using one or more of the foregoing structures to assemble a column cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ron Myers
  • Publication number: 20100064839
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle with a steering spindle pivotably supported by a jacket unit and a securement unit rigidly securable on the motor vehicle and bearing the jacket unit. The securement unit includes a base section, at least one side jaw extending next to the jacket unit, and at least first and second securement plates with bolt openings for the securement of the securement unit on the motor vehicle by means of securement bolts. The first and second securement plates are each inclined with respect to the at least one side jaw by an angle in the range between 15° and 75°, and preferably between 30° and 60°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Rony Schnitzer, Thomas Heitz
  • Patent number: 7677131
    Abstract: A steering-wheel arrangement is disclosed which comprises a steering-wheel having a first gear element. A second gear element is provided which is mounted on a steering column. The first and second gear elements inter-engage one another and the arrangement is further provided with an anti-backlash gear which is mounted on one of the gear elements. The anti-backlash gear has teeth configures to as to align substantially with the teeth of the gear element upon which it is mounted, and the anti-backlash gear is biased relative to the gear element upon which it is mounted towards a position in which the teeth of the anti-backlash gear become displaced from the corresponding teeth of the gear element. This gear arrangement has been found to provide improved “feel” for a person driving a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Etienne Chapelain, Laurent Groleau
  • Patent number: 7673717
    Abstract: An anti-theft device includes a first steering column, a second steering column, a clutch and an actuating unit. The first steering column is connected to a steering wheel. The second steering column is connected to a universal joint. The actuating unit moves the clutch between a first position for connecting the first steering column to the second steering column and a second position for disconnecting the first steering column from the second steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Jian-Jhong Fong
  • Publication number: 20100043588
    Abstract: When a steering column contracts in order to absorb shock, interference between a column cover and a lock apparatus is suppressed, and a shock-absorbing stroke of the steering column is obtained. When a steering column contracts in order to absorb shock as a result of an input load equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a column cover that covers a rear end side of steering column, performs a stroke, together with a movable side region, relative to an outer tube (a fixed side region) of steering column, to which is fixed a lock apparatus. At this time, a side wall portion of column cover, which is positioned further to a vehicle rear than lock apparatus, enters between lock apparatus and outer tube of steering column, thereby suppressing interference between column cover and lock apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Akiyoshi Sanada
  • Publication number: 20100031768
    Abstract: An energy absorbing steering column includes a first cylindrical member for accommodating a steering shaft of a vehicle and a second cylindrical member for accommodating the first cylindrical member and normally supporting the first cylindrical member in a predetermined position to allow the first cylindrical member to axially move relative to the second cylindrical member upon a predetermined or greater load applied to the steering shaft. The first cylindrical member includes first and second enlarged diameter portions, and the second cylindrical member includes first and second supporting portions. An elastic bush is provided between the first enlarged diameter portion and the first supporting portion for applying elastic force for supporting the steering shaft to restrict an axial movement of the first cylindrical member relative to the second cylindrical member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morito OSHITA, Hidetoshi Inayoshi
  • Patent number: 7644643
    Abstract: A steering shaft (12) has an end toward a driver of the vehicle and is arranged to turn about an axis (27) to steer a vehicle. A hub (14) of a steering wheel assembly (13) is fastened to that end of the shaft. A spoke pattern of one or more spokes (15) extends away from the hub to a rim (17) that when grasped by the driver and turned, turns the shaft to steer the vehicle. With the rim turned to a position that steers the vehicle in a straight line of travel, the spoke pattern assumes a position of at least approximate symmetry with respect to a vertical plane through the axis. An escutcheon (24, 26) covers the one or more spokes to prevent the driver from having an unobstructed view of the one or more spokes and is positionable within a range of positions relative to the one or more spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony D. Sutton
  • Patent number: 7644951
    Abstract: This invention pertains to an energy absorption device for a motor vehicle steering column in which there is mounted an adjustment slide, the adjustment slide including a female part, provided with an entry orifice, connected respectively either to a steering wheel or to a rack system, and a male part connected respectively either to the rack system or to the steering wheel, the male part sliding in the female part upon adjustment of the depth of the steering column, wherein at least one sleeve is fixed on the male part in a manner to absorb the energy by coming into contact at least partially with the entry orifice of the female part in the case of violent impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Necam France SAS
    Inventors: Denis Fargeas, Robin Thomas, Frederic Calsat
  • Patent number: 7640824
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly of a vehicle has a central lock device for selectably locking an adjustable steering housing and co-extending steering shaft to a stationary bracket or chassis. For driver convenience and comfort, the steering housing and shaft are together adjustable with respect to the bracket. The lock device has a roller actuator preferably having inner outer members with a lever supported operably in between by a guide feature for movement along a first centerline substantially parallel to the steering shaft. Preferably, cam couplers are located between the outer member and the lever and the inner member and the lever for converting movement of the lever along the centerline to longitudinal movement of a carrier that traverses the centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin V. Manwaring, Ravi Ravindra, Amelia M. Lask, Melvin L. Tinnin, Richard P. Nash
  • Patent number: 7621197
    Abstract: A steering column assembly of a vehicle has a releasable push/pull lock device for selectably locking an adjustable steering housing and co-extending steering shaft to a stationary bracket or chassis. For driver convenience and comfort, the steering housing and shaft are together adjustable with respect to the bracket. The lock device has a toggle apparatus having a push/pull lever that may extend substantially parallel to a rotating axis of the steering shaft and move in a first direction along its length and between locked and unlocked positions. A carrier of the device connects to the toggle apparatus and moves along its length in a second direction that may be perpendicular to the first direction and as the lever moves between the locked and unlocked positions. Preferably, an indexing apparatus is generally carried between the carrier and at least one of the housing and the bracket for selecting adjustment of the steering column assembly when the device is in the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin V. Manwaring, Richard K. Riefe, Amelia M. Lask, Melvin L. Tinnin, Ravi Ravindra, Richard P. Nash
  • Publication number: 20090249916
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a first jacket defining a first bore and a second jacket defining a second bore aligned with the first bore prior to collapse of the first jacket and the second jacket. A jacket connector extends through the bores to interconnect the first jacket and the second jacket. The jacket connector includes a pre-determined shear resistance, above which the jacket connector is sheared to permit telescopic movement between the first jacket and the second jacket. Accordingly, in response to an axial load greater than the pre-determined shear resistance of the jacket connector being applied to one of the first jacket and the second jacket, the jacket connector shears, permitting the telescopic movement. The jacket connector includes a pin defining a pin bore. The pin bore defines a cross sectional area, with the pre-determined shear resistance depending upon the cross sectional area of the pin bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jason R. Ridgway, Albert C. Huber, Robert D. Maida, Scott A. Stinebring
  • Patent number: 7584827
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels and a frame comprising a mechanically actuated braking assembly operably coupled with at least one of the wheels and being operable between braking and non-braking conditions, a handle coupled to the braking assembly and being mounted to the frame for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis between first and second positions in each of which the braking assembly is in the braking condition, and an actuating mechanism responsive to movement of the handle from either of the first and second positions for actuating the braking assembly into the non-braking condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Doerflinger, Daniel Guptail
  • Patent number: 7581466
    Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus includes a jacket for rotatably supporting a steering shaft, and an electric motor. The electric motor includes an annular rotor arranged coaxially with the steering shaft and rotating together with the steering shaft. The jacket includes a tubular upper jacket and a tubular lower jacket that are fitted into each other and are moved axially relative to each other in the collision of a vehicle. An annular space surrounding the steering shaft is provided radially inside the rotor. A part of the upper jacket enters the annular space in the collision of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Yoshioka, Yasuyuki Yoshii, Kenji Higashi, Shimon Jimbo
  • Patent number: 7574941
    Abstract: A steering column assembly is moveable in a rake direction and a telescope direction and extends along a longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a compression bracket mounted to a column jacket. A rake bracket is disposed over the compression bracket. The rake bracket defines a rake slot and includes a rake tooth rack disposed in the rake slot. The compression bracket defines a telescoping slot and includes a telescope tooth rack disposed in the telescope slot. A telescoping lock is disposed within the telescoping slot. A rake lock is disposed within the rake slot. A cam mechanism moves the rake lock into interlocking engagement with the rake tooth rack and moves the telescope lock into interlocking engagement with the telescope tooth rack when in the lock position, and disengages the rake lock from the rake tooth rack and the telescope lock from the telescope tooth rack when in the adjustment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin V. Manwaring, Ravi Ravindra, Melvin L. Tinnin, Albert C. Huber
  • Patent number: 7574940
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle includes a steering shaft, a support bracket rotatably receiving the steering shaft for rotatably supporting the steering shaft on the motor vehicle, and an anti-rotation device. The anti-rotation device is supported by the support bracket and is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the anti-rotation device prevents rotation of the steering shaft relative to the support bracket. The anti-rotation device may be moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position to allow rotation of the steering shaft relative to the support bracket. Prior to assembly of the steering column assembly to the motor vehicle, the anti-rotation device may be moved to the engaged position to lock the steering column in a common rotational position. After assembly, the anti-rotation device may be moved to the disengaged position to allow rotation of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason R. Ridgway, Marvin V. Manwaring, William D. Cymbal
  • Patent number: 7571664
    Abstract: A device (10) for fastening a component to a steering column jacket (20, 20?), comprises a fastening sleeve (12) and an equalizer (14) associated with the fastening sleeve (12). The fastening sleeve (12) has at least one mounting section (18) and convexities (22) adjoining the mounting section (18). The mounting section (18) has a first mounting cross-section to receive the steering column jacket (20; 20?), and the equalizer (14) comprises equalizing jaws (16) laterally movable in the fastening sleeve (12), which are movable between a first position in which they are received in the convexities (22), and a second position in which they lie at least partially in the mounting section (18) and define a second mounting cross-section for the steering column jacket (20; 20?), which is smaller than the first mounting cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Markus Mauch
  • Publication number: 20090188341
    Abstract: A power steering driving device 100 includes an input shaft 6 provided with a serration 8 and connected to an input mechanism 3 linked to a steering handle 2, an output shaft 7 provided with a serration 10 and connected to an output mechanism 5 linked to a vehicle wheel 4, and a torsion bar 15 that connects the input shaft 6 and the output shaft 7 coaxially. The serration 8 of the input shaft 6 and the serration 10 of the output shaft 7 are formed such that a ratio between the respective numbers of teeth thereof is a decimal, and to specify a relative rotation position of the input shaft 6 and the output shaft 7 relative to the input mechanism 3 and the output mechanism 5, a tooth on the serration 8 of the input shaft 6 and a tooth on the serration 10 of the output shaft 7 having a relative position deviation angle about an identical central axis which is equal to or smaller than an allowable value are selected as reference teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kokubo, Yoshizo Watanabe, Masataka Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7565940
    Abstract: An orifice cover is described that is selectively disposed within an orifice having a structural member adapted to extend through the orifice. The orifice includes an inner peripheral extent and both an inner surface and an outer surface. The orifice cover further includes an elastomeric main body having an outer periphery. The outer periphery selectively engages the inner peripheral extent of the orifice and the outer periphery includes a securing mechanism for securing the orifice cover to the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20090183588
    Abstract: A column tube switch module is radially and axially fixed to a column tube and is supported at the same time on a bearing arranged on the steering spindle. A centering device secures a stator radially to the column tube when a force is acting coaxially on the longitudinal axis of the steering spindle. A steering angle sensor is provided whose fixed part is connected to the stator-end bearing while its rotating part is held so as to be capable of being driven by the steering wheel hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Daimier AG
    Inventors: Axel Hebenstreit, Hans-Dieter Loeffler, Markus Mauch
  • Patent number: 7559266
    Abstract: This invention provides a telescopic shaft in which a backlash or a sliding resistance in a rotational direction is maintained to a predetermined value even when there are fabrication errors in a male shaft and a female shaft, and a preload is not reduced even when a sleeve is worn by a friction force in sliding, and a steering apparatus having the telescopic shaft. An inclined sleeve portion 712 is pressed by an elastic deformation of an urge sleeve portion 713, so that there is not backlash between a male shaft 12B and a female shaft 12A and a predetermined preload is applied. Although an outer periphery of the inclined sleeve portion 712 is worn by a friction in sliding, the inclined sleeve portion 712 is further pressed by an elastic force of the urge sleeve portion 713 by an amount of wearing the outer periphery of the inclined sleeve portion 712. Thus, a predetermined urge force is always operated to the inclined sleeve portion 71.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 7552946
    Abstract: A fastening device for a steering column module of a vehicle includes a housing bottom (30) coupled to an essentially tubular fastening flange (20), which module is mounted on the steering column jacket (10) of a steering spindle. The fastening flange (20) has at least one radially movable arresting block (40, 40?), which, in a fastening position of the fastening flange (20), engages in a corresponding radial recess (12, 12?) of the steering column jacket (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sven Kuerschner, Joerg Schoenleber, Gerd Rudolph, Hans Peter Kunz
  • Publication number: 20090158880
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to articles for masking internal components of a motor vehicle steering column from the view of an occupant when the steering wheel is titled, or extended. Some embodiments relate to methods for making or using masking articles, or to methods for masking the internal components of a motor vehicle steering column when the steering wheel is titled, or extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO. LTD
    Inventor: Ron Myers
  • Publication number: 20090142937
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connection device for transmitting electric current, in particular for a steering wheel heater of a motor vehicle, between a stationary housing part and a rotor which can rotate with respect to the housing part, comprising a flat ribbon cable and end plug connectors which are provided in the region of the free ends of the flat ribbon cable. The invention is characterized in that the flat ribbon cable has a central plug connector which is placed between the end plug connectors and is intended to be arranged on the rotor side or housing side, from which central plug connector at least one line runs to one end plug connector and one line to the other end plug connector, wherein the two end plug connectors are intended to be arranged on the housing side or rotor side. The invention also relates to a steering column/steering wheel transmission unit with a connection apparatus of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Karl Simonis, Rainer Lipfert, Martin Hasch, Roland Gruener, Bernd Binder
  • Publication number: 20090120229
    Abstract: Since a fixed piece 7 is attached to a fixed bracket 1 by means of bolts BT, BT, the impact force by which sliding of a skid bracket 2 is started can be arbitrarily set by adjusting tightening force of the bolts BT, BT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: NSK. LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shibazaki, Yasuhisa Yamada
  • Patent number: 7526978
    Abstract: Device for coupling an inner shaft and an outer shaft that slide in the direction of a common axis with balls disposed between the two shafts. The balls are disposed in axial grooves of the inner shaft and in axial grooves of the outer shaft. Each row of balls is held by a double spring member that bears on the groove and which pushes on two rolling tracks for the balls, which come into contact with the groove. The two rolling tracks are articulated at the junction of the groove and the inner shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Systemes de Direction Nacam, S.A.S.
    Inventors: Christophe Bahr, Arnaud Janvier
  • Patent number: 7527294
    Abstract: Decoupler deflector devices and systems for automobile steering systems are provided. A decoupler deflector device in an automobile steering system can be connected to an upper intermediate shaft (“I-shaft”) portion or an I-shaft joint. The decoupler device can be adapted to contact a lower I-shaft portion and rotate the upper I-shaft portion downwardly such that the upper I-shaft portion does not interfere with a collapsing steering column when subjected to loading from an automobile driver during a front-end collision impact event. The decoupler device can comprise a first end portion coupled to an upper I-shaft portion and an I-shaft joint; and a second end portion spaced apart from the first end portion to contact a lower I-shaft portion and rotate the upper I-shaft portion. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Porter, Alvin Matti, James Thornton
  • Publication number: 20090095113
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle having a display with improved operability and visibility includes a display portion representative of a vehicular state and a display operating portion for switching a display on the display portion. The display operating portion is separated from the display portion. The display portion is arranged rearwardly of a steering handle, and the display operating portion is arranged between the steering handle and the display portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Michiharu HASEGAWA, Takashi WATANABE
  • Patent number: 7516985
    Abstract: A telescoping steering column assembly includes upper and lower jackets having inner and outer surfaces and telescoping ends, respectively, and two sleeves disposed therebetween and having an annular cavity defined within each of the sleeves to hold bearings therewithin. One bearing is connected to the outer jacket and the other bearing is connected to the inner jacket. A method of making the assembly includes the steps of disposing the inner jacket within the outer jacket followed by disposing the sleeves therebetween and injecting a plastic material therethrough to form bearings. The plastic material is extracted from one of the apertures in each of the jackets to provide a sliding engagement between one of the bearing and the inner jacket and another bearing and the outer jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Cymbal, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20090090210
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket longitudinally collapsible along a longitudinal axis. A release module is releasably coupled to the column jacket and attaches the column jacket to the vehicle at a connection point laterally offset from a first position along the longitudinal axis. An energy absorption system includes a strap attached to the column jacket at an attachment point latterly offset from a second position along the longitudinal axis and a deformation device disposed on the release module. The deformation device is laterally offset from a third position along the longitudinal axis disposed between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Damir Menjak, Ratko Menjak
  • Publication number: 20090090211
    Abstract: The steering hanger beam extending in a width direction of a vehicle and connected to left and right vehicle-body members, is provided with: a main member which supports a steering device; a pair of front and rear transverse beam portions connected to the main member in the width direction of the vehicle so as to be offset from an axis of the main member to front and rear; and an opening which is formed between the pair of front and rear transverse beam portions so as to penetrate in substantially a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yohei Kuwano
  • Patent number: 7503584
    Abstract: A positioning type steering column device, comprising a steering column (1) having a bulged part (19) formed by a hydraulic pressure bulge forming method, the bulged part (19) further comprising a pair of flat surface parts (20) opposed, back to back, to vertical plate parts for tightening of a body mounting bracket, the pair of flat surface parts (20) further comprising projected parts (21) outward-projectedly formed toward the vertical plate parts opposed thereto, whereby even if a warpage occurs on the flat surface parts (20) by punching out when the bulged part (19) is formed by the hydraulic pressure bulge forming method, a steering column tightening holding force can be prevented from lowering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Sawada
  • Publication number: 20090056493
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a steering column assembly having a first jacket and a second jacket with a bushing between the first and second jackets. The method utilizes a manufacturing machine having a loadable member, a fixed member, and a thermal fixture. The method comprises the steps of: assembling the first jacket to the second jacket with the bushing located radially between the first and second jackets to interlock the first and second jackets and prevent axial movement between the first and second jackets; connecting the first jacket to the loadable member of the manufacturing machine; connecting the second jacket to a fixed member of the manufacturing machine; loading the loadable member to apply an axial force to the first jacket; heating the thermal fixture of the manufacturing machine; and melting the bushing until the first jacket moves axially relative to the second jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Robert W. Dubay, David E. Witucki, Dennis G. McDonagh
  • Publication number: 20090038428
    Abstract: A structure and method are provided for forming a through hole at one portion of a side wall of an expanded portion made by plastically deforming one part of a metal tube radially outward, in a portion where the plate thickness gradually changes. A slide tool is withdrawn from inside a punch hole while applying hydraulic pressure to the inside of the side wall. Regarding a tip end face of the slide tool, a portion facing the portion of the side wall where the plate thickness is relatively thick is recessed. At the instant of commencing withdrawal of the slide tool, the degree of progress in the shearing for the portions of the side wall matching with the two side edges of the punch hole is made different. Then, the timing for moving from shearing to rupture is made to coincide, so that of the side wall, the portions matching with the punch hole, are made reliably into a blank, and are extracted from the side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Abe, Yasushi Watanabe, Kazumi Shimoii, Atsushi Tomizawa, Mitsutoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 7481459
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a steering shaft (4) of a steering column (1) and (4) for a motor vehicle steering assembly (2), wherein the steering shaft (4) includes a cylinder body (11) and a piston rod body (12) inserted telescopically therein, and on one end is connectible with a steering wheel (6) and at the other is connectible via a steering coupling (5) with a steering gear (7). The assembly of the steering shaft (4) can be simplified thereby, that the steering shaft (4) includes at least one (1) pneumatic connection (13), which communicates with a cylinder space (14), which is provided in the cylinder body (11) and which cylinder space is axially bordered from the piston rod body (12), in such a manner, that pressure actuation of the cylinder space (14) drives the piston rod body (12) to extend from the cylinder body (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Karol Lednicky, Thorsten Meyer, Olaf Sättler, Björn Spangemacher
  • Patent number: 7475614
    Abstract: A steering column (10) according to the invention includes a steering column jacket (12) having an engaging surface (14). The steering column jacket (12) is operable to at least partially encircle a steering shaft (16) in a vehicle. The steering column (10) also includes a tilt housing (18) engaged with the steering column jacket (12) for tilting movement about a tilt axis (20) between a plurality of tilt positions. The steering column (10) also includes a locking member (22) pivotally supported at a pivot end (24) by the tilt housing (18). The locking member (22) extends to a distal locking end (26) moveable outwardly from the tilt axis (20) along a first arcuate path (28) to a locked position contacting the engaging surface (14) and inwardly towards the tilt axis (20) along the first arcuate path (28) to an unlocked position spaced from the engaging surface (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Cymbal, David L. Keaner, Philip J. McCarthy, Herbert E. Ziehl
  • Patent number: 7475902
    Abstract: The steering wheel includes a wheel body and an airbag apparatus disposed on top of a boss. The wheel body is divided into a shaft side division joined to the steering shaft, and a ring side division disposed proximate the ring. The ring side division is rotatable with respect to the shaft side division such that a ring plane is aligned generally vertically. The boss includes an actuator that rotates and moves the ring side division to align the ring plane generally vertically. The actuator completes its operation to align the ring plane generally vertically by the time a driver contacts the inflated airbag in the course of forward motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichizo Shiga, Michihisa Asaoka, Naohiko Ishiguro, Masanari Sakamoto, Tsutomu Ishii, Yoshinori Masatsugu, Akira Tomita
  • Patent number: 7475908
    Abstract: The invention proposes an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle with a setting part displaceable in at least one setting direction for setting the position of the steering column, a holding part nondisplaceable in this setting direction and a securement device, in the opened state of which the setting part is displaceable with respect to the holding part for setting the position of the steering column, and in the closed state of which the setting part is secured in place by the securement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Mathias Senn
  • Publication number: 20090007714
    Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly is provided that includes a triple tree integrated with two handlebars. Each of the two handlebars is integrated at a transition region with the triple tree. The triple tree includes two fork-receiving recesses and a neck-receiving top pipe recess. A method including providing such a vehicle steering assembly further having an opening at each of two different locations in the triple tree and a hollow interior including an interior channel communicating with the two openings in the triple tree; and routing a wire through the channel between the two openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Tony J. Carlini
  • Patent number: 7472924
    Abstract: A steering column device for a vehicle which includes: a steering column jacket; a detachable bracket detachably attached to an attachment bracket for supporting the steering column jacket; a tearable first energy absorbing member having one end fixed to the attachment bracket and the other end fixed to the detachable bracket; a tearable second energy absorbing member having one end fixed to the detachable bracket and the other end engageable with the attachment bracket; and an engaging device for engagement between the second energy absorbing member and the attachment bracket. The engaging device leaves the second energy absorbing member unengaged with the attachment bracket under a low-impact load condition, and has the second energy absorbing member engaged with the attachment bracket under a high-impact load condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Ikegaya, Hiroyoshi Tanai
  • Publication number: 20080314188
    Abstract: A steering column arrangement includes a steering spindle, which rotates about its longitudinal axis and serves to transfer a torque, generated by a steering wheel, to a steering gear, and a blocking device, which prevents the rotational motion of the steering spindle, especially in the event of a collision. The blocking device includes a stator, which is stationary in relation to the rotational motion of the steering spindle, and against which a blocking element is mounted in a relatively moveable manner. To prevent, in a reliable manner, an undesired twisting of the steering wheel, especially in the event of a collision, the blocking element is moveable into a locked position in a radial direction toward the steering spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm FRASCH, Norbert Schote
  • Publication number: 20080314189
    Abstract: In a method for the production of a corrugated tube from a flat metal sheet, two half shells (2, 3) are formed each extending in a longitudinal direction, which [half shells] are provided with corrugations (4, 5) oriented transversely to their longitudinal direction, wherein the two half shells (2, 3) are either disposed in a single sheet metal part (1) longitudinally next to one another or are separate parts. In the case of their formation with two half shells disposed in a common sheet metal part (1) next to one another, the preformed sheet metal part (1) in the region between the two half shells (2, 3) is folded or curved about an axis (19) parallel to the longitudinal directions of the half shells (2, 3), wherein free longitudinal edges of the half shells (2, 3) are brought into mutual contact and are connected with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Christian Lutz
  • Publication number: 20080314177
    Abstract: A method for designing a pole piece for a power assist steering system, includes: selecting a number of teeth, k, for the pole piece where k=n/2 and n represents an even number of poles; and selecting a ratio between an angle made by an inner tooth tip and an outer tooth tip, ?tp, and an angle made by a magnet pole width, ?mp, to provide a desired torque function for the steering system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Mohammad S. Islam, Christian E. Ross, Matthew W. Mielke