Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear has a hybrid metal/plastic housing including a shell of engineering plastic for weight conservation and a metal sleeve for strength and durability. The shell has a bore therein with an internal frustoconical shoulder around one end. The sleeve is conveniently fabricated as an extrusion and has a cylindrical small end and a cylindrical big end and an external frustoconical shoulder therebetween. The steering gear pinion shaft is rotatably supported in the small end of the sleeve and the small end of the sleeve is received in the bore in the plastic shell. A lock nut threaded onto a cap on the sleeve draws the sleeve into the bore in the shell until the external shoulder seats against the internal shoulder.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion type steering gear for automotive vehicles including a columnar rack guide made of resin having a small coefficient of friction. An outer diameter of the rack guide in the direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of a rack bar is greater than an inner diameter of a rack guide hole for insertion of the rack guide in such a manner that the transverse cross-section of the rack guide is elliptical. With this arrangement, vibration of the rack guide in the rack guide hole due to an external force dynamically acting on the rack bar, thereby preventing generation of noise from the rack guide hole.

Abstract: A steering gear mechanism has in combination a housing, a pinion shaft rotatably in the interior of the housing and provided with a pinion thereon; a slidable rack bar guided the housing and formed on one surface thereof with a rack adapted to operatively engage with the pinion, and a friction device adapted to give rise to a relatively large frictional force in the directions of sliding motion of the rack bar in the neutral steering position, while giving rise to a relatively small frictational force in the same direction of sliding motion within the normal range of the steering operation of the rack bar.

Abstract: A composite housing for a rotary valve rack and pinion power steering gear includes a pinion housing portion fabricated of a light weight first metal and valve housing portion fabricated of a more dense and abrasion resistant second metal. The pinion housing portion includes a main body having a pinion bore therein. The valve housing portion is a right circular cylinder with an annular neck thereon. The annular neck is press fitted into a counterbore around the pinion bore whereby the valve housing portion is connected to the pinion housing portion. The pinion housing portion has an annular groove in an inside surface of the counterbore and a plurality of molding passages connected to the groove. The neck of the valve housing portion has an annular groove which cooperates with the groove in the counterbore in defining an annular ring chamber.

Abstract: A Belleville spring is interposed between adjacent end faces of a retainer and an adjuster for preventing a rattling sound of a steering gear. At least one of the end faces is conical in such a way as to taper in the same direction as the Belleville spring. The taper angle of the conical end face is smaller than that of the Belleville spring in a state free from any load. In one embodiment, a wave spring is used in place of the Belleville spring. In this case, at least one of the end faces is formed into a wave shape having a wave height smaller than that of the wave spring in a state free from any load.

Abstract: The synthetic resin rack guide to be housed in a gear box of a rack and pinion type steering device for a vehicle. The rack guide includes a generally semi-cylindrical head, an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The generally semi-cylindrical head includes a semi-cylindrical concave surface which slidably contacts a back surface of a rack bar. The outer cylinder is separated from the inner cylinder by a circumferentially extending space and is divided into a plurality of sections in the circumferential direction by a plurality of slits which extend in parallel with an axis of the rack guide. Due to the provision of the slits, the outer cylinder can shrink radially inward when it is inserted into a rack housing with no clearance between them and when an interference between them is increased in proportion to an increase in ambient temperature. Thus, a locking of the rack guide with the rack housing is prevented and a smooth sliding is obtained even with the increase in ambient temperature.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering system in a wheeled vehicle the front wheel steering mechanism of which is drivingly interconnected to a rear wheel steering mechanism to steer the rear road wheels in either the same or the opposite direction as the front road wheels in dependence upon the turn-angle of the steering wheel of the vehicle. In the steering system, the rear wheel steering mechanism includes an operation rod operatively connected at the opposite ends thereof to the rear road wheels, and a connecting mechanism is assembled in combination with the rear wheel steering mechanism for effecting axial displacement of the operation rod in response to operation of the front wheel steering mechanism and for controlling the displacement direction of the operation rod in dependence upon the turn-angle of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A power assisted vehicle steering mechanism having a rack and pinion assembly, including a pinion shaft adapted at one end to receive a steering wheel, a pinion on the steering shaft engaging a rack connected to effect steering of the vehicle, a bearing for the pinion shaft located between the pinion and said one end, said bearing permitting angular play of the pinion shaft, the pinion shaft having a portion thereof connected to transmit angular movement of the pinion shaft due to steering torque to a power assistance means to augment steering torque.

Abstract: A steering wheel arrangement for motor vehicles with a dish-shaped steering wheel provided with a steering wheel hub which is adapted to be flangedly connected on a central steering spindle rotatably supported in a casing, and with an impact device arranged inside of the steering wheel dish which maintains its position independently of the rotation of a steering wheel rim, whereby a gearing in the form of a pinion shaft is provided which is supported parallel to the steering spindle and has two identical pinions non-rotatably arranged on the same; the pinions are in engagement with gears coaxially supported with respect to the steering spindle, of which the first gear is arranged on the side of the steering column casing and the second gear on the side of the impact device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rack and pinion mechanism used in a steering device of a vehicle, in which when a pinion is engaged with rack teeth at an axially middle part of a rack bar, the rack bar is supported by supporting surfaces of a support yoke in the form of surface contact. When the pinion is engaged with the rack teeth at a part other than the axially middle part of the rack bar, on the contrary, the rack bar is supported by a rotary bearing mounted on the support yoke. Therefore, when a vehicle runs rectilinearly, the sliding resistance of the rack bar becomes large and the handle is stabilized, while when the vehicle turns, the sliding resistance becomes small and handling is made light because the rack bar is supported by a bearing.

Abstract: A rack and pinion power steering gear mechanism having a driving pinion connected to a driver controlled steering shaft through a torsion rod, a gear rack engageable with the pinion and connected to steering gear linkage members, a fluid motor having a movable piston connected to the rack, a steering valve comprising a valve sleeve connected to the pinion, an inner valve member in the sleeve connected to the steering shaft, and a pressure distributor fluid circuit connecting opposed side of the motor to the steering valve whereby pressure is distributed selectively to one side or the other of the piston to provide a power assist during steering maneuvers.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering gear device has a mechanism for adjusting backlash and eliminating lost motion or play between a rack and a pinion. The pinion is formed on a pinion shaft angularly movably supported by a pinion holder, the pinion shaft having an axis out of alignment with the central axis of the pinion holder. The pinion holder is angularly movably supported in a housing such that the relative positions of these components with respect to each other are adjustable. A subpinion is supported on the pinion shaft for angular movement with respect to the pinion, the pinion and the subpinion being held in mesh with the rack. The subpinion is normally urged by a resilient member in a direction to turn with respect to the pinion. By adjustably turning the pinion holder with respect to the housing, the backlash between the rack and the pinion is adjusted and the lost motion or play between the rack and the pinion is eliminated by the subpinion.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear assembly has a rack bar 5 displaceable through a cylindrical bush 7 secured by a pin 38 in a rack bar housing 11. A flexible concertina-type bellows 21 is provided between the housing 11 and a tie rod on the end of the rack bar. The bush 7 has an annular recess 42 which is in constant communication by way of longitudinal grooves 39 in the surface of the bush with the interior of the bellows 21. The recess 42 coincides with an aperture 43 in the housing wall 11 within which is snap fitted a tubular plug 44 through which the bellows 21 breathes by way of the recess 42 and grooves 39. The bellows 21 can breathe through the plug 44 to atmosphere (preferably by way of a filter) or by way of a pipe to the interior of bellows located at the opposite end of the rack bar. The bush 7 can partly define a pressure chamber 23 of a piston and cylinder unit for power assisted steering.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering apparatus of center-takeoff type is disclosed in which track rods are connected to an intermediate portion of a rack shaft. A stop member is secured to the rack shaft for limiting the axial movement of the rack shaft by abutment against a housing. A resilient member is mounted on a part of these contacting surfaces so that the resilient member initially contacts either component to absorb impact before a contact occurs between metals, thus assuring the stroke limiting function while reducing the generation of percussion sounds.

Abstract: There is provided a steering mechanism for an automobile. The steering mechanism comprises a housing defining an opening, a column shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, a pinion on the column shaft, a rack bar engaging the pinion, a first yoke slidable within the opening, a yoke stopper fitted in the opening, a second yoke disposed within the first yoke and having a ring at one end, a first spring interposed between the ring and yoke stopper, and a second spring interposed between the second yoke and yoke stopper.

Abstract: In a rack and pinion power steering apparatus including a hydraulic cylinder housing, a pinion, a rack, a piston, a bolt for mounting the piston to the rack, etc., the rack is formed at one end thereof with a boss portion having a threaded portion which is formed with large inner diameter cylindrical cavity between the boss portion and the bolt in such a way that the female thread extends from a position radially corresponding to near the middle of the boss axial length or near the end surface of the rack to the bottom of the threaded portion. Therefore, it is possible to concentrate a load applied to the piston due to difference in pressure between two chambers to the relatively thick rack, not to the relatively thin boss portion, thus improving the mechanical strength of the steering apparatus without increasing the size or volume thereof.

Abstract: A rack and pinion assembly (10) includes a self-adjusting rack support yoke (23) which eliminates the need for yoke (23) adjustment during initial assembly, and provides automatic adjustment of the support yoke (23) during the life of the assembly (10). A rack and pinion housing (12) receives the pinion (13) which engages the rack (20) supported for movement within the housing (12), the rack (20) engaged by the yoke support (23) biased into engagement by a main spring (40). The support yoke (23) has a recess (25) receiving therein a plug member (60), plug member (60) coupled to the support yoke (23) and having a predetermined separation (33) therebetween maintained by a spring (71). A removable member (50) having a central opening (54) is located within the housing (12) and provides sloped surfaces (52) around the central opening (54) into which extends an end (28) of the plug member (60).

Abstract: A synthetic resin rack guide in a rack-and-pinion type steering gear is provided with a projection formed on an outer peripheral surface at an end portion which is in contact with a rack bar. The projection is designed in such a manner that a diameter thereof after shrinkage due to annealing is equal to or slightly larger than an inner diameter of a guide hole for receiving the rack guide. With this arrangement, an abnormal noise created between rack teeth and a pinion may be prevented.

Abstract: A rack and pinion gear and a method of assembling such a gear. The gear has a rack bar 1 the rack 4 of which is biased into engagement with the pinion 6 by a spring loaded support 7 which slidably (or rolling) engages a bearing surface 8 of the rack bar. The bearing surface has a central region 9 parallel to the rack axis and tapering end regions 10 and 11 which reduce the thickness of the rack bar from the central region 9. The length C of the region 9 corresponds to 1 to 1.5 revolutions of the pinion 6 while the operative length A of the rack corresponds to at least three revolutions of the pinion. The pinion rotates about an eccentric axis 14 which varies the rack bar tightness. To determine the position of maximum tightness in which the spring loading of the support 7 is to be adjusted, the pinion is rotated from a central position on the rack 4 clockwise and counter-clockwise to displace the rack bar in each instance through a distance corresponding to 0.

Abstract: A ball joint connecting an end of a rack gear to an end of a tie rod is constructed to have a center of rotary motion which is offset from the center axis of the rack gear and to be adjustable to selectively change the direction in which the center of rotary motion of the ball joint is set apart from the center axis of the rack gear.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering gear structure for a vehicle including a rack housed within a cylinder driven by means of a pinion shaft, comprising: a bolt having a threaded portion screwed in a threaded hole formed in one end face of the rack and a shoulder linked integrally with the threaded portion and smaller in diameter than the rack but greater in diameter than the threaded portion; and a piston housed within a groove formed by the shoulder of the bolt, the seating surface of the bolt head, and the end face of the rack, with clearances with respect to the groove in the axial and radial directions.

Abstract: A steering box for a motor vehicle comprises a rotatable toothed pinion, an axially movable rack within a casing, and a support unit to support the thrust which the pinion applies to the rack during operation. The support unit comprises a rotatable roller operable to support the rack. The roller is provided with an axial hold in which is formed a pair of rolling tracks for rolling bodies. A pair of rings are disposed within the hole in contact with one another, each forming with the roller the rolling tracks for the rolling bodies. Two rings of the rolling bodies are disposed between the roller and the rings. A pin supports the rings. The pin is mounted in a cylindrical body provided with a central cavity operable to house the roller, at least patially. The cylindrical body is provided with a pair of slots each of which is able to receive one end of the pin.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering system comprises a steering wheel; a steering shaft which is connected to the steering wheel to be rotated in response to operation of the steering wheel and is provided with a first pinion fixedly mounted thereon; a rack bar which is supported for sliding motion in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, is provided with a first rack gear in mesh with the first pinion and a second rack gear, and is connected to the right and left front wheels by way of tie rods, a rear wheel turning force taking-out mechanism which includes a second pinion in mesh with the second rack gear on the rack bar and a rod member connected to the second pinion, and which converts the sliding motion of the rack bar into rotation of the rod member; and a rear wheel turning mechanism which is arranged to turn the rear wheels in response to rotation of the rod member.

Abstract: In a steering mechanism of the rack-and-pinion type including a pinion shaft rotatably mounted within a gear housing and a rack member axially slidably carried on the gear housing and being in mesh with the pinion shaft, a guide member is slidably disposed within a radial cylinder portion of the gear housing and has a thrust surface for slidable engagement with the rear surface of the rack member, and a compression spring is interposed between the guide member and a closure member threaded into the radial cylinder portion to bias the guide member toward the rack member.

Abstract: A device for attaching a bellows to a cylindrical member, particularly a ball pin of a rack articulation for automotive vehicles. In order to permit a nonslippable attachment of the bellows even to unmachined pins which vary slightly in diameter, it is proposed to arrange between the bellows and the ball pin an annular disk having a closed outer edge and an inner edge which is interrupted by radially extending slots, the inner edge consisting of a plurality of resilient segments which are bent alternately in opposite directions and are pre-stressed against the ball pin.

Abstract: A positioning member is installed on a pinion of a steering gear in such a manner that its U-shaped bend forms an alignment mark. A yoke of a steering shaft joint has a slit which forms an alignment mark. The U-shaped bend is insertable into the slit only when the pinion and the steering shaft are properly aligned.

Abstract: An automotive steering wheel assembly has a hub pad kept stationary during rotation of a steering wheel. The hub pad is attached to an upper annular member rotatable about a hub and coaxial to a non-rotatable lower annular member axially spaced from the upper member. A carrier is fixed to the hub and supports a planet gear for rotation about its own axis and for revolution about the axis of the hub in meshing engagement with internal gear teeth formed on the upper and lower members so that rotation of the hub causes the planet gear to revolve about the hub axis to keep the upper member and thus the hub pad apparently stationary. The planet gear is formed thereon with an annular flange having opposite end faces in slidable engagement with opposed faces of the upper and lower members to prevent the upper member from being distorted by the force exerted by a driver to the hub pad.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering device which comprises a pinion operatively connected to a steering shaft of a vehicle, a long rod-like rack operatively connected to a steering lever mechanism of wheels of the vehicle, said rack having a group of rack teeth meshed with said pinion, and a spring device in contact with the back of said rack on the side opposite said pinion to resiliently bias said rack against said pinion. Said group of rack teeth includes a first portion close to and a second portion away from a center of said rack lengthwise which portions are defined symmetrically on opposite sides of said center, and said both second portions have a reference pitch line which inclines so as to approach the axis of said rack as it is away from said first portion adjacent thereto, whereby said rack gives rise to a flexure displacement under bending pressure caused by said spring device in connection with the meshed position between the rack and the pinion on said group of rack teeth.

Abstract: In a rack power-steering system, the axial movements of a helical pinion meshing with the rack, resulting from torque applied to the pinion, cause corresponding movements of the movable member of a control valve of the system. This is achieved through a transmission including a piston movable axially with the pinion and defining a variable-volume compartment filled with a substantially-incompressible, deformable material, such as a fluid (oil or grease) or rubber, this material being intended to transmit a control pressure to the movable member of the control valve through a rod which may be formed integrally with the movable member or as a separate member. The variable-volume compartment is located at one end of a cylindrical chamber of the box of the system within which the piston is slidable and the latter is located in a position axially intermediate the variable-volume compartment and an end of the shaft carrying the helical pinion.

Abstract: A rack and pinion gearing in a steering housing is provided, with eccentric bushing bearings at each end of the pinion shaft. The bushings are outer races of roller bearings which carry the shaft and which bushings are carried in the housing rotatively supported whereby rotation of each bushing serves to radially align the shaft in proper coaxial position in the assembly of the device, so that the rack and pinion teeth have accurate relative position. Thus, the eccentricity of the bushing bearings serves to shift respective ends of the shaft radially and the bearing bushings have relatively thin extending skirts which can be deformed so as to lock into notches in the housing when the pinion shaft is properly positioned.

Abstract: The cooperating double-acting piston/cylinder assistance assembly of the rack (20) incorporates a cylinder (24) firmly fixed to one end of the rack, in the extension of the latter and a stationary piston (40) fixed to one end of a hollow rod (42) whose other end (43) is fixed centrally in the steering casing (10), the hollow rod enclosing two separate fluid passages (45, 47) for supplying the chambers which are in opposition (46, 48), on each side of the piston (40), with actuating fluid under pressure coming from a distribution valve (30) mounted in the casing (10).

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear of the kind in which a helical pinion engages a rack mounted in bearings, the rack being supported opposite the pinion by a spring loaded half round support journal, the spring acting to hold the pinion in contact with the teeth of the rack which are formed in such a manner as to provide in about the center of the rack a "ramp" in which there are tooth gaps of varying height providing a variation of slack free mesh center distance between the pinion and the rack, the maximum mesh center distance occurring in the mid travel portion of the rack and lesser mesh center distances occurring in positions of travel of the rack either side of the travel position of the present invention being characterized by the fact that the tooth gaps concerned are formed in such a manner as to form a ramp extending across the rack at an angle substantially the same as the angle made by the pinion axis with the rack axis whereby the possibility of an uneven distribution of the load between the teeth

Abstract: The mechanism incorporates at least one assistance unit consisting of a fixed piston (44) supported by a hollow rod (43) and of a cylinder (32) housed in a bore (30) of the rack (11), the chambers (60, 61) being supplied through separate passages (62, 63) extending through the hollow rod (43). The mechanism, advantageously of the type with central output and with a double circuit, incorporates a double circuit distribution valve mechanism (20) for supplying selectively the pairs of chambers (60, 61) on each side of the pinion (12) of the rack (11).

Abstract: In a rack and pinion type steering gear device having a rack guide to urge a rack from behind for applying a preload to the meshing engagement of tooth surfaces of the rack and pinion, wherein the rack guide is formed of an oleoresinous material having a low coefficient of friction and elastically deformable to a compression load to a predetermined value. The rack guide can bear a high load as compared with the conventional rack guide for the same displacement value, so that the rack guide can have a resisting force of a high value. Because of this, the pinion and the rack which are urged by the rack guide are not easily separated from each other under an external force.The rack guide preferably includes a guide body having a rack sliding surface and outer peripheral ribs, and an elastic ring having the bottom end portion extending towards a nut farther by a predetermined value than the bottom end portion of said outer peripheral ribs and being elastically deformable to a compression load.

Abstract: A steering apparatus of rack and pinion type includes a rack, the back surface of which is configured to change continuously in the axial direction thereof. A support member slidably carries the back surface of the rack and is configured as a curve, as viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rack, whereby the point of contact between the rack and the support member moves over the contacting surface of the support member as the rack reciprocates.

Abstract: A motor vehicle including a body, steerable front wheels and rear wheels for supporting the body, front suspension mechanisms between the body and the front wheels and rear suspension mechanisms between the body and the rear wheels, a power steering mechanism for operating the front wheels with desired steering characteristics, the front and rear suspension mechanisms including suspension struts which resist vertical movements of the body with respect to the wheels with damping powers and having spring rates. A control circuit is provided for changing the ratio of the damping powers and the spring rates in the front suspension mechanisms relative to those in the rear suspension mechanisms and at the same time changing the power assist force of the steering mechanism.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a rack and pinion type steering gear for an automobile and a method for cutting rack teeth in the gear. The gear comprises a housing, a pinion rotatably supported within the housing and operatively connected to a steering wheel and a rack bar supported within the housing for slidable movement in the axial direction and rotation and provided with rack teeth in engagement with the pinion. The rack teeth are formed on the rack and along a varying pitch line so that the axial movement amount of the rack varies as the pinion rotates.

Abstract: A relay arrangement for transmitting electrical signals from various switches of an automobile to various devices controlled by the switches comprises a cable, and a boss plate rotatably held to the steering shaft of the automobile. The cable has a spiral winding between two sun gears, and the boss plate extends between two neighboring turns of the winding. The number of turns of the winding is in excess of the maximum number of revolutions that the steering wheel can make. When the boss plate is rotated during the rotation of the steering wheel, the plate slides through the winding in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the winding.

Abstract: A ball joint which includes a ball member ending in a ball is arranged so that the ball member is axially alignable with a straight line which is parallely offset from the center axis of a rack gear, simultaneously with an end of a gear housing to which an end of a protective boot is attached being formed to have a circular outer periphery of which center is equidistant from the center axis of the rack gear and the center of rotary motion of the ball joint when viewed in an elevation perpendicular to the center axis of the rack gear.

Abstract: The electrical power steering mechanism comprises an electric motor (30) whose stator is mounted in the steering box (10) and whose rotor (32) is disposed coaxially around a cylindrical portion of the rack structure (40) provided with helicoidal grooves (41) and forming a screw of a ball circuit mechanism in cooperation with a nut structure (33) having helicoidal grooves (35) and fastened to the rotor (32), the drive pinion (20), typically a Novikof profile globoidal pinion, meshing directly with the ball circulation helicoidal grooves (41) of the rack (40).

Abstract: A power assist device for a vehicle steering system includes an electric motor coupled to a steering linkage via a plurality of gears and a yoke-like connection to provide a variable ratio steering system.

Abstract: A motor vehicle including a body, steerable front wheels and rear wheels for supporting the body, front suspension mechanisms between the body and the front wheels and rear suspension mechanisms between the body and the rear wheels, a power steering mechanism for operating the front wheels with desired steering characteristics, the front and rear suspension mechanisms including suspension struts which resist vertical movements of the body with respect to the wheels with damping powers and having spring rates. A control circuit is provided for changing the damping powers and the spring rates in all of the suspension mechanisms and at the same time changing the power assist force of the steering mechanism.

Abstract: A steering wheel of the stationary pad type includes a steering shaft carrying thereon a boss plate, a first sun gear secured to a column and a second sun gear secured to a pad. At least one planetary shaft is rotatably supported on the boss plate, and has one end on which a first planetary gear meshing with the first sun gear is supported, while a second planetary gear meshing with the second sun gear is supported on the other end of the planetary shaft. The first and second planetary gears are normally held by a resilient device in intimate engagement with the first and second sun gears, respectively, but displaceable therefrom in the event foreign matter is caught between the planetary and sun gears.

Abstract: Parallel ball bearing arrays are utilized in a pressure support means for a rack to reduce friction of a stationary pressure means supporting a moving rack in engagement with a drive pinion. The rack and a pressure pad have face to face coacting ball races on each side of the rack and so oriented that median planes of a pair of facing races are at an angle to the median plane of the rack. Accordingly, a train of balls on each side of the rack in the respective pair of coacting races has a median plane at an angle to the median plane of the rack on each side of the rack. Such orientation gives support normal to the rack and laterally as well, at the area where the rack engages the pinion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a rack-and-pinion type steering gear, wherein a rack bar abutting portion is so formed as to project from the inner surface of the insert hole at the circumference of the upper opening of the rack guide hole, and the rack guide is made of a low-rigid material such as synthetic resin. There is defined a clearance between the rack guide abutting portion and the back of the rack bar, which clearance is larger than the clearance between the rack guide and the set bolt, but smaller than the elastic deformation limit of the rack guide.

Abstract: A supporting structure for a steering apparatus of the rack and pinion type with a rack axle supporting member. The supporting member is supported on a vehicle body by a clamping member through mounting insulators. This insulator comprises a first elastic means to receive smaller input forces by means of shearing stress and a second elastic means to receive larger input forces by means of compressive stress.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus incorporating a planetary gear set with a shaft (7) connected to a planet wheel support (6), and a shaft (8) connected to a sun wheel (5), one of the shafts (8) being connected to a rotor in a device (9) for providing a torque. In order to be able to use the apparatus in a favorable manner in for example a servo assisted system with a steering wheel (10) and a steering member actuated by the steering wheel via a step-up gear, the stator part of the device (9) for providing a torque is connected to the other one of the shafts (7) in the planetary gear so that this shaft takes up the reactive torque which is established in the device during operation.

Abstract: Rack and pinion steering gear in which an adjustable preloaded rack bearing carries an endless train of balls which are fed into and out of a linear track in the rack. With this ball train interconnection, the sliding friction between the rack and rack bearing is reduced while rack rotation from torque loads is prevented.

Abstract: A tilt and telescope steering wheel with a push button keyboard non-rotatably mounted within the steering wheel has a foot actuated release mechanism for simultaneous disengagement of tilt lock and telescope lock mechanisms. A readout instrument panel with various indicators thereon rigidly attached to and tiltable with the steering column so as to provide a constant angular correlation with the steering wheel facilitating an unobstructed view of the panel in all steering wheel tilt positions.

Abstract: A vehicular steering system including a steering wheel, a front wheel steering mechanism for steering a front wheel according to steering amounts of the steering wheel, and a rear wheel steering mechanism for steering a rear wheel according to such steering amounts in the same direction as that of the front wheel when such steering amounts are relatively small and in a direction opposite to the steering direction of the front wheel when such steering amounts are relatively large. The rear wheel steering mechanism includes a crank member connected to the steering wheel, a movable member connected to the crank member, a restriction mechanism for restraining the movable member and permitting the latter to perform only restricted movements along a predetermined pattern, and an output mechanism interconnecting the movable member and the rear wheel for effecting the steering of the rear wheel according to components of motion in a predetermined direction of such restricted movements.