Patents by Inventor Kenneth N. Douglass

Kenneth N. Douglass has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Rack and pinion steering gear and method of manufacturing the gear
    Patent number: 6286382
    Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a rack (14) and a housing (12) for receiving the rack. The housing (12) has a chamber (42) for receiving a rack supporting yoke (70). The chamber (42) has a threaded portion (44) with internal threads (45). A rack supporting yoke (70) is disposed in the chamber (42) and supports the rack (14) for movement in the housing (12). An externally threaded yoke plug (90) is screwed into the internal threads (45) of the threaded portion (44). An externally threaded lock nut (120) is screwed into the internal threads (45) of the threaded portion (44) and into abutting engagement with the yoke plug (90) to lock the yoke plug in the housing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Spagnuolo, Kenneth N. Douglass