Abstract: A sales person at a retail store which traditionally does not sell paint assists a consumer in selecting and purchasing a non-paint product and thereafter employs a computer terminal and display in conjunction with a website operated by a paint manufacturer to provide a paint color recommendation to the consumer. The sales person may thereafter respond to consumer selection of a particular paint color by employing an on-line electronic ordering tool to transmit a paint order to an order processing terminal located at a paint manufacturer facility. Thereafter, the paint manufacturer may proceed to process the order, perform tinting and shaking steps to formulate paint of the particular color, package the tinted paint, and cause the packaged paint to be shipped to the consumer.

Abstract: A sales person at a retail store which traditionally does not sell paint assists a consumer in selecting and purchasing a non-paint product and thereafter employs a computer terminal and display in conjunction with a website operated by a paint manufacturer to provide a paint color recommendation to the consumer. The sales person may thereafter respond to consumer selection of a particular paint color by employing an on-line electronic ordering tool to transmit a paint order to an order processing terminal located at a paint manufacturer facility. Thereafter, the paint manufacturer may proceed to process the order, perform tinting and shaking steps to formulate paint of the particular color, package the tinted paint, and cause the packaged paint to be shipped to the consumer.

Abstract: A sales person at a retail store which traditionally does not sell paint assists a consumer in selecting and purchasing a non-paint product and thereafter employs a computer terminal and display in conjunction with a website operated by a paint manufacturer to provide a paint color recommendation to the consumer. The sales person may thereafter respond to consumer selection of a particular paint color by employing an on-line electronic ordering tool to transmit a paint order to an order processing terminal located at a paint manufacturer facility. Thereafter, the paint manufacturer may proceed to process the order, perform tinting and shaking steps to formulate paint of the particular color, package the tinted paint, and cause the packaged paint to be shipped to the consumer.

Abstract: A sales person at a retail store which traditionally does not sell paint assists a consumer in selecting and purchasing a non-paint product and thereafter employs a computer terminal and display in conjunction with a website operated by a paint manufacturer to provide a paint color recommendation to the consumer. The sales person may thereafter respond to consumer selection of a particular paint color by employing an on-line electronic ordering tool to transmit a paint order to an order processing terminal located at a paint manufacturer facility. Thereafter, the paint manufacturer may proceed to process the order, perform tinting and shaking steps to formulate paint of the particular color, package the tinted paint, and cause the packaged paint to be shipped to the consumer.

Abstract: A composite tubular housing for an automotive steering system, preferably an electronic power assist steering system, is formed of seamless metal tube section welded into an integral component. The housing includes a rack section and a pinion section having an opening that is welded to the rack section. A yoke section is formed of a tube having an end that is welded to the rack section opposite the pinion section. The pinion section may contain a drive pinion coupled to a steering wheel of the vehicle. The housing may also include sections for an assist pinion coupled to an electric motor, and a yoke which are attached to the rack section apart from the drive pinion.

Abstract: A center console for a motor vehicle comprising a stationary housing mounted within the vehicle. The housing includes an open center defined between opposing ends and has a console body mounted within the open center of the housing. The console body is rotatable about a longitudinal axis running through the console body and is mounted such that an operator may remove the body from the frame. Also, at least two longitudinal side walls of the rotating body are visible within the open center and the console body may be rotated such that alternate side walls may be positioned in an uppermost position with respect to the center console. Thus, a user may exchange the console body for another and access multiple sides of the console body, regardless of which is in the uppermost position.

Abstract: A steering gear assembly includes a pinion defining a pinion axis and a rack defining a rack axis. A bearing assembly includes a roller bearing biased against the rack to generate a normal force pressing the rack into engagement with the pinion. The bearing assembly engages an outer surface of the rack at two points circumferentially spanning a large angle to provide improved support. The roller bearing is preferably a plurality of ball bearings engaging an outer race. A deformable member may be utilized that is positioned between the outer race and the rack housing. The deformable member may comprise a series of O-rings which providing a force biasing the outer race towards the pinion.

Abstract: A steering gear assembly includes a pinion defining a pinion axis and a rack defining a rack axis. A bearing assembly includes a roller bearing biased against the rack to generate a normal force pressing the rack into engagement with the pinion. The bearing assembly engages an outer surface of the rack at two points circumferentially spanning a large degree to provide improved support. The roller bearing is preferably a plurality of ball bearings engaging an outer race. A deformable member may be utilized that is positioned between the outer race and the rack housing. The deformable member may comprise a series of O-rings which providing a force biasing the outer race towards the pinion.

Abstract: A composite tubular housing for an automotive steering system, preferably an electronic power assist steering system, is formed of seamless metal tube section welded into an integral component. The housing includes a rack section and a pinion section having an opening that is welded to the rack section. A yoke section is formed of a tube having an end that is welded to the rack section opposite the pinion section. The pinion section may contain a drive pinion coupled to a steering wheel of the vehicle. The housing may also include sections for an assist pinion coupled to an electric motor, and a yoke which are attached to the rack section apart from the drive pinion.

Abstract: An assisted steering system is provided. In preferred embodiments, the system has driver and assist pinions that are out of phase with each other. As a tooth of the driver pinion is fully engaged with a rack tooth, a tooth of the assist pinion is only partially engaged with a tooth of the rack. Preferably, the driver and assist pinions have differing rack speeds and numbers of teeth.

Abstract: An assisted steering system is provided. In preferred embodiments, the system has driver and assist pinions that are out of phase with each other. As a tooth of the driver pinion is fully engaged with a rack tooth, a tooth of the assist pinion is only partially engaged with a tooth of the rack. Preferably, the driver and assist pinions have differing rack speeds and numbers of teeth.

Abstract: An electric power assist steering system includes an electric motor coupled to a steering mechanism via a roller gear mechanism. The roller gear mechanism transfers power from an electric motor output shaft to a roller pinion gear for a rack and pinion steering mechanism. In an embodiment, a roller pinion gear for use in a power assist steering system comprises a roller wheel having a plurality of radially projecting teeth about its periphery, wherein the teeth comprise pins rotatably mounted in and projecting from the periphery of the roller wheel. The present invention increases the efficiency of power assist steering systems and of vehicles utilizing same.

Abstract: A cartridge vane pump for a motor vehicle power steering system exhibits improved cold start performance. The pump includes a plurality of radially disposed vanes which are received within a rotor which is rotatably supported within a cylindrical cam ring defining two diametrically opposed pumping lobes. An inlet (upper) section and an outlet (lower) section engage the ends of the cam ring and define suitable passageways which provide fluid into and out of the pumping lobes. Under vane porting in the inlet section provides high pressure fluid to the inner edges of the vanes received within the rotor as they traverse the intake portions of the pumping lobes urging the vanes into contact with the cam ring surface.

Abstract: A power steering system 10 is provided including a rack 14 and at least one yoke element 16 supporting the rack 14. At least one roller element 18 is positioned between the rack 14 and the yoke element 16 to reduce frictional losses as the rack 14 moves over the yoke 16.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump [10] for use in a power steering system includes a power steering fluid chamber [24] for receiving power steering fluid from a fluid source. The power steering fluid chamber [24] is in fluid communication with a fluid passageway [26] which transfers fluid to a pressure wave attenuator [46] for receiving power steering fluid from the power steering fluid chamber [24] such that fluid borne noise in the power steering system is minimized.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic power steering system having a motor, a pump, and a control module all formed as an integral unit. The motor is shaft coupled to the pump and the pump housing and the motor housing are sealingly attached to prevent any fluid leakage. The control module is sealingly attached to the pump housing to prevent any fluid leakage. The control module is in electrical communication with the motor in order to drive a motor shaft and operate the hydraulic pump. The entire unit is submersible and can operate when submersed.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump [10] for use in a power steering system includes a power steering fluid chamber [26] for receiving power steering fluid from a fluid source. The power steering fluid chamber [26] is in fluid communication with a first fluid conduit [40] and a second fluid conduit [46] each of which has different lengths. A pressure valve attenuator [52] has two ports, one in communication with the first fluid conduit [40] and one in communication with the second fluid conduit [46] for receiving power steering fluid from the power steering fluid chamber [28] such that fluid borne noise in the power steering system is minimized.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic gear pump power pack [10], including a gear pump [12] and a motor [16], are secured together to form a single assembly. The gear pump [12] has a gear drive [14] that is in rotational communication with a drive shaft [18] extending from the motor [16]. An insert coupling device [20] is constructed of a plastic material and is slip fit onto the drive shaft [18] to dampen vibrations and fluctuations between the shafts [14, 18] and thereby minimize fluid borne noise in the pump [12].

Abstract: A hydraulic vane pump (10), including a top section (12), a middle section (14), a vane rotor assembly (16) and a bottom section (18) secured together to form a single assembly. The vane pump (10) has a fluid feed chamber (20) to supply fluid directly to the top of a bore (32) formed in the middle section (14). Fluid from the feed chamber (20) also passes through a bypass chamber (28) into a fluid pocket (24) in the bottom section (18) and into the bottom of the bore (32). A vane rotor assembly (16) is used to force fluid from the bore (32) out the outlet chamber (26). By supplying fluid to both the top and bottom of the bore (32) cavitation is reduced. By feeding fluid from a single side of the hydraulic vane pump (10), packaging requirements are minimized.