Abstract: A recirculating ball power steering system includes an electric motor. The system also includes a ball screw rotatably driven by the electric motor. The system further includes a ball nut translatable along the ball screw in a linear direction during rotation of the ball screw. The system yet further includes a sliding joint in sliding contact with an outer surface of the ball nut, the sliding joint moveable in a non-parallel direction relative to the linear direction of the ball nut.

Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system is disclosed including a hand-held surgical instrument, an end effector configured to perform at least one function, and a shaft assembly arranged for selectively interconnecting the end effector and the surgical instrument. The shaft assembly includes a linkage having a proximal housing and a distal housing at least partially received within the proximal housing. The distal housing is rotatable relative to the proximal housing and configured to selectively interconnect the end effector to the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly further includes a wire extending through the linkage having a central portion disposed within an annular groove defined between the proximal and distal housings. The central portion of the wire is annularly wound within the annular groove to define a coil. The coil is configured to at least one of radially expand and contract upon rotation of the distal housing relative to the proximal housing.

Abstract: A steering system for a marine craft includes a steering input shaft. The steering system also includes an electric power steering (EPS) system operatively coupled to the steering input shaft, the EPS system having an electric motor that drives rotation of a system output shaft. The steering system further includes a hydraulic pump operatively coupled to the system output shaft with a gear set, the hydraulic pump having a longitudinal direction that is perpendicular to a steering input shaft axis. The steering system yet further includes a fluid reservoir located remotely relative to the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A ball-nut steering system of a conventional vehicle includes a first and a second cylinder chamber for receiving a fluid, a first feed line for conducting fluid from a pump to the first cylinder chamber, and a device for damping and/or easing pulsations of the fluid. The device is arranged inside the first cylinder chamber and/or inside the first feed line. The first cylinder chamber has a smaller volume for receiving the fluid than the second cylinder chamber.

Abstract: A steering system comprises a first engagement member; a second engagement member to be engaged with the first engagement member; a supporting portion to support the second engagement member; and an elastic member at least partially enclosed in the supporting portion to apply a preload to the second engagement member and absorb an impact load. The elastic member has a first deformation under a first load and at least a second deformation under a second load greater than the first load, and a ratio of the first load to the first deformation is less than a ratio of the second load to the second deformation.

Abstract: A steering spindle has a steering spindle connection connected to a fork crown of a steering coupling via an intermediate piece. The steering spindle connection and the intermediate piece are formed as plug partners at ends facing each other, by means of at least one tongue and groove guide element pair, which provides a torque-transmitting priority control. A groove and a tongue of the at least one tongue and groove guide element pair are positioned in the longitudinal axial direction on the steering spindle connection and the intermediate piece. The steering arrangement includes a clamping device that clamps the plug partners to each other in a plugging position.

Abstract: A steering system includes a wheel rotatable between on-center and off-center positions, and a shaft having teeth. The shaft defines a cavity and is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the teeth. The system includes a nut having cogs defining grooves therebetween, wherein each tooth is matable with a groove. The system includes a lash adjuster translatable within the cavity, and a retainer contacting the adjuster and shaft, and configured for positioning the shaft along the axis as the wheel rotates. A center one of the gear teeth meshes with one of the grooves to define a first gap having a first thickness therebetween when the wheel is in the on-center position. An outer one of the gear teeth meshes with an outer groove to define a second gap having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness when the wheel is in the off-center position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle drive control system (1), such as a car, a boat, an aircraft and like, or of a driving simulator, such as a videogame console, simulation apparatuses and like, and with a direction control device (2), such as a steering wheel, a rudder or like, and with directioning means (21?, 22?, 21?. 22?), said system (1) being characterised in that it comprises means (6) for detecting position of said direction control device (2), an adjustment module (7, 7?, 7?) having a frame, mechanically coupled with said direction control device (2), provided with passive actuator and adjustment means (8?, 8?, 8a, 8a?, 8b, 8b?) by which it is suitable to adjust resistance to the movement of said direction control device (2), one or more sensors (27) for detection of position of said directioning means (21?, 22?, 21?.

Abstract: A female screw member 6 supported by a movable side bracket 31 includes: a movable side casing 61 provided with a nut container 67 through which a male screw shaft member 54 passes; and a pair of nuts 62 and 63 inserted into the nut container 67 non-rotatably but movably in an axial direction of the male screw shaft member 54 while threadedly engaging with the male screw shaft member 54. The movable side casing 61 includes a wedge member 64 whose tip end 64c is inserted between the nuts 62 and 63. The nuts 62 and 63 are separated from each other when the wedge number 64 is inserted therebetween, and outside surfaces 62c and 63c of female screw portions 62b and 63b of the nuts 62 and 63 come into contact with and get held by a male screw portion 54a of the male screw shaft member 54, thereby eliminating backlash between the female screw portions 62b and 63b and the male screw portion 54a.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus for converting rotation of a steering assist motor into movement of a steering shaft in the axial direction thereof in accordance with steering operation using a ball screw mechanism wherein a female thread groove formed around an inner circumference of a rotating cylinder rotated around the axis thereof by the motor and a male thread groove formed around an outer circumference of the steering shaft are screwed with each other via a plurality of balls. The portions, where the both thread grooves contact with the balls, are formed in a circular arc shape, respectively, and the curvature of the female thread groove is made smaller than that of the male thread groove. Hence, the ball screw mechanism wherein skew occurrence between the ball and both the thread grooves is prevented and the dimensional errors of both the thread groove are decreased is realized.

Abstract: A ball screw mechanism comprises a screw shaft, a nut and balls. The nut has a cylindrical portion in the axial middle on the outer peripheral surface thereof that becomes a fitting surface for fitting in a sleeve, and small diameter step portions in the opposite axial sides on the outer peripheral surface thereof that become non-fitting surfaces not fitting in the sleeve. A portion of a wheel steering shaft is provided with the screw shaft, and a plurality of balls are disposed in a rolling way defined between a thread groove formed in the outer periphery of the screw shaft and a thread groove formed in the inner periphery of the nut.

Abstract: A nut member which is rotated by power transmission from a motor in a rack housing is supported by a thrust bearing fitted and fixed in a first housing having an integrally formed fixing section for fastening to a vehicle body so that the nut member cannot move in both directions along an axial direction. Thrust loads applied in both directions to the nut member with the conversion of rotation into movement of a steering shaft in an axial direction are carried by the first housing through the thrust bearing. The structure of the connection section of the first housing and second housing is simplified, and the housing is fixed in a stable manner to prevent deterioration in steering feeling.

Abstract: A frictional roller transmission comprises a first roller and a second roller disposed around two shafts which are separated from each other in such a manner that the two rollers are not brought into contact, a third roller and a fourth roller which are brought into contact with both the first and second rollers and are disposed between the first roller and the second roller and on an opposite side over a line connecting the center of the first roller and that of the second roller. An angle made by a tangential line between the first roller and the third roller (or the fourth roller) and a tangential line between the second roller and the third roller (or the fourth roller) is set at two times as large as an angle of friction obtained from a coefficient of friction between the respective rollers or smaller.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power assisted steering system (10). The power assisted steering system (10) comprises a rotatable member (34) capable of rotating about an axis. The system further comprises a ballnut (66) that is coaxial with the rotatable member (34). The ballnut (66) has a threaded cylindrical inner surface (76) and a plurality of drive balls (78). The system (10) further comprises a steering member (24). The steering member (24) is coaxial with the rotatable member (34) and the ballnut (66). The steering member (24) has a threaded portion (32). The steering member (24) extends through the inner surface (72) of the ballnut (66) such that the drive balls (78) of the ballnut (66) engage the threaded portion (32) of the steering member (24). The ballnut (66) is rotatably driven by the rotatable member (34) about the axis and is pivotal relative to the rotatable member (34) in a direction transverse to the axis.

Abstract: A variable-ratio steering system includes a steering shaft connected to a manually-operated handle, a ball nut engaging with the steering shaft and a ball-bearing-screw mechanism converting rotary motion of the steering shaft into axial displacement of the ball nut in the axial direction of the steering shaft. Also provided is a second motion converter which generates a rotational displacement of the ball nut about the axis of the steering shaft with the axial displacement of the ball nut. A steering pinion gear block is connected to the ball nut by means of serrations to rotate together with the ball nut. A rack is engaged with the pinion gear block and connected at both ends via knuckle mechanisms to steered wheels for varying a steer angle at the steered wheels depending on the displacement of the rack.

Abstract: A ball rolling groove 1c is defined in an inner peripheral surface of A ball screwed nut 1 by a rolling process, not by a grinding process so that a ball screwed nut having small diameters or large leads can be manufactured. The surface of the ball rolling groove 1c is finished to be sharp without concave and convex by a plastic working by the rolling process, so that the surface is less rough. By rolling the surface by the rolling process excellent in durability, the precision of R shape of the ball rolling groove 1c can be made excellent.

Abstract: A steering shaft centering assembly for resisting off-center movement of the steerable wheels of a vehicle and for returning them to a selected center position after each such movement. The centering assembly includes a screw member connected between an idler shaft and an input shaft connected by gearing to a steering shaft of the vehicle steering system. A centering cylinder contains the screw member, a screw follower for engaging the screw member, a pair of pistons, and a reciprocating member for engaging the pistons in response to movement of the screw follower. Movement of each piston in a corresponding centering chamber is resisted by a resilient force, and this resilient force causes the reciprocating member to resist axial movement of the screw follower, which in turn resists rotational movement of the screw member, such that off-center movements of the steering shaft and of the steerable wheels are resisted by the centering assembly.

Abstract: Two of the three feed rings to beheld in a rotating cylinder are fitted into respective mounting holes, which are formed on both end of the rotating cylinder so as to have circular openings, and are fixed by locking rings so as not to slip off. The center feed ring is fitted into a mounting portion, which is formed at a predetermined position on a circumferential wall of the rotating cylinder so as to have a slit-shaped opening, and is engaged with a thread groove formed on a rack shaft which pierces through an axial center of the rotating cylinder. Moreover, a bearing is fitted inside the rotating cylinder. The bearing is brought into contact with a circumference of the rack shaft so as to stand a radial load applied to the rack shaft. Such a structure realizes firm engagement between the feed rings and moving shaft, and thus a movement transforming device, which has a simple and compact structure capable of secure movement transformation between rotational movement and linear movement.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus is furnished with a rotary cylinder supported by restraining the movement in the axial direction and rotating coaxially with a steering shaft by the transmission of movement from the motor, a feed ring fixed in the rotary cylinder with eccentricity by a predetermined angle and a predetermined distance to the axial center of the steering shaft or a plurality of feed rings which are fixedly disposed in inclination at equal angle and eccentricity in equal distance to the axial center of the steering shaft, being fixed to the inside of the rotary cylinder with equal disposition of the respective eccentric positions in the circumferential direction, thus it generates low noise and can convert rotation of the motor to movement of the steering shaft in the axial direction to take the place of a ball screw mechanism, and can be constituted by a simple structure.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels (44) of a vehicle comprises a manually rotatable input member (12) to which steering torque is applied, an output member (34) rotatable to effect turning of the steerable wheels (44) of the vehicle, and an electric motor (102) for providing a drive force to rotate the output member (34) as a function of the steering torque applied to the input member (12). The electric motor (102) includes a motor shaft (100) having an axis of rotation (104). First and second meshing gears (54 and 56) transmit the drive force of the electric motor (102) to the output member (34). The first gear (54) is rotatable with the output member (34) and the second gear (56) is rotatable with the motor shaft (100). An adjusting mechanism (86, 122) adjusts backlash between the first and second gears (54 and 56).

Abstract: A steering assembly (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a vehicle steering wheel (11) comprises a housing (30) and a member (32) which is movable axially within the housing to effect turning movement of the steerable wheels. The member (32) has an externally threaded screw portion (40). A ball nut (72) is disposed in the housing (30). The ball nut (72) extends around the screw portion (40) and has an internal thread (90). Balls (98) are disposed between the internal thread (90) on the ball nut (72) and the externally threaded screw portion (40) for transmitting force between the ball nut and the screw portion to cause axial movement of the member (32). An electric motor (60) provides a drive force to move the member (32) in response to rotation of the steering wheel (11). Gearing (112, 114) transmits the drive force of the electric motor (60) to the ball nut (72).

Abstract: A clamp for capturing an adjusted position of a motor vehicle steering column including a stationary bracket having planar sides on opposite sides of the steering column, vertical slots in the planar sides of the stationary bracket, and a rotatably immobilized bolt spanning the planar sides of the stationary bracket through the vertical slots. A primary nut includes a frustoconical shoulder and a tubular boss. The primary nut is screwed onto the bolt on one side of the stationary bracket and cooperates with a head of the bolt on the other side of the stationary bracket in squeezing together the planar sides of the stationary bracket. A plastic operating lever of the clamp has a lateral bore around the tubular boss on the primary nut and a frustoconical cavity which faces the frustoconical shoulder on the primary nut.

Abstract: A retainer for a crossover tube of a ball screw between a rack piston and a worm shaft of a motor vehicle power steering gear. The ball screw includes a helical passage between the rack piston and the worm shaft, a U-shaped crossover tube on the rack piston, and a plurality of bearing balls which roll in a ball circuit defined by the helical passage and the crossover tube. The crossover tube retainer is a molded plastic arch straddling a linear segment of the crossover tube having a web bridging the gap between the crossover tube and the rack piston bore. The thrust of the bearing balls urging dislodgment of the crossover tube from the rack piston is reacted against the rack piston bore through the web of the molded plastic arch across a bearing surface of the web having a contour complementary to the contour of the rack piston bore above the molded plastic arch.

Abstract: An electric actuator includes a hollow actuator housing, an electric motor connected to the hollow actuator housing, a feed screw shaft coupled to the drive shaft of the electric motor, for transmitting rotational drive power from the electric motor, and a spline tube disposed in the hollow actuator housing in surrounding relationship to the feed screw shaft and held in engagement with the feed screw shaft, for displacement axially with respect to the hollow actuator housing with the rotational drive power transmitted by the feed screw shaft. Since the feed screw shaft is surrounded by the spline tube, dust and dirt particles are prevented from being deposited on the feed screw shaft.

Abstract: In a press fit arrangement of a tubular nut member in an enlarged end portion of a hollow shaft, typically used in an electric power steering device, a region of loose fit is provided in a part of an interface between the tubular nut member and the enlarged portion, adjacent to an annular shoulder defined at the inner boundary of the enlarged portion. The region of loose fit can be achieved by provided an annular recess in the inner bore of the enlarged portion and/or the outer circumferential surface of the nut member. Thereby, the region of a relatively high rigidity, which is created by the provision of the annular shoulder, is prevented from being involved in the press fit when the nut member is fitted into the inner bore of the enlarged portion until the inner end of the nut member abuts the annular shoulder so that a relatively uniform tight fit can be achieved between the nut member and the enlarged portion over a relatively large axial length.

Abstract: Actuating mechanism for rapidly and selectively moving a threaded screw and nut member combination into or out of threaded engagement, particularly for use of the screw as a control fluid plunger to pressurize angioplasty balloon catheters, or the like, which mechanism includes a housing and a threaded screw slideably displaceable through the housing, and a nut member having partial threads engageable and disengageable with the threaded screw structure. A carriage structure is secured to the nut structure and arranged to enable reversibly translating motion together with the nut member relative to the screw structure to enable the selectively threaded engageability of the partially threaded nut member with the screw structure.

Abstract: An integral steering gear for a motor vehicle includes a plunger supported on a pitman shaft of the steering gear for linear bodily movement in a plane perpendicular to the centerline of the pitman shaft and a leaf spring between the plunger and the pitman shaft biasing the plunger into engagement on a rack piston of the steering gear. The plunger urges the pitman shaft and rack piston in relative separation to eliminate linear clearance between a housing of the steering gear and each of the rack piston and pitman shaft. The plunger also urges the rack piston to limited rotation whereby straight rack gear teeth on the rack piston are wedged against straight sector gear teeth on a sector of the pitman shaft to eliminate angular clearance between the teeth.

Abstract: A rear wheel steering device comprising an input shaft which rotates about an axis oriented from front to rear in response to a steering angle of front wheels, a screw shaft which is united with the input shaft and has an axis eccentrically arranged with the axis of the input shaft, a nut which is meshed with the screw shaft, a rack formed on the nut, and a pinion meshed with the rack and connected to the nut. The pinion is supported in a manner that it is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis and movable in the rightward and leftward transverse direction. The pinion is meshed with a rear wheel steering rack. The rotation of the input shaft causes the screw shaft to rotate and whirl. In response to the rotation and the whirling motion of the screw shaft, the rear wheel steering rack moves in the rightward and leftward transverse direction. The rear wheels are steered by the transverse movement of the rear wheel steering rack.

Abstract: The meshing between a rack which moves according to steering operation and a sector gear meshed with the rack is adjusted by the movement of an output shaft in its own axis direction which is united with the sector gear. A through hole is formed along the axis center line of the output shaft, and a threaded shaft is inserted into the through hole. The threaded shaft is screwed into the output shaft. One end of the threaded shaft is accessible for rotating from the side where a steering mechanism member is mounted. The other end of the threaded shaft is connected to a housing in a manner that the threaded shaft is rotatable around in its own axis but that the threaded shaft is unmovable in its own axis direction.

Abstract: A variable ratio steering system on a motor vehicle can vary the ratio of the angle through which the steerable road wheels are steered to the angle through which the steering wheel is turned by the driver. The variable ratio steering system includes an input shaft coupled to the steering wheel, a first ball screw mechanism including a first nut threaded through balls over the input shaft, an output shaft coupled to the steerable road wheels, a second ball screw mechanism including a second nut threaded through balls over the output shaft, and a steering angle ratio adjusting mechanism, mechanically coupled to the first and second nuts, for varying the ratio of an axial displacement of the second nut to an axial displacement of the first nut.

Abstract: A steering gear, especially for motor vehicles, has a steering worm sector shaft (10) including a toothed quadrant and a steering nut (4) displaceable axially by a steering shaft and engaging with the toothed quadrant with a steering rack section (7). To eliminate the toothing play occurring between the toothed quadrant and the steering rack section (7), a spring pressure element (14) is provided that is located outside of the surface plane that includes the axis of the steering shaft and is perpendicular to the toothing surface plane of the steering rack section (7), and that exerts a twisting force on the steering nut (4) in the straight-ahead-travel position of the steering gear. The spring pressure element (14) includes two spring washers (15, 16) located concentrically with each other on the steering worm sector shaft (10). The two spring washers (15, 16) are connected with each other by a connecting arm (17).

Abstract: In a four-wheel steering system for a wheeled vehicle, a rear-wheel steering mechanism includes an input shaft drivingly connected at its front end to a front-steering wheel mechanism through a mechanical linkage, a lateral relay rod arranged perpendicularly to the input shaft and being drivingly connected to the input shaft to be rotated in accordance with a rotation angle of the input shaft, the relay rod having an intermediate portion formed thereon with a screw groove containing therein a plurality of balls and being operatively connected at the opposite ends thereof to a pair of dirigible rear road wheels, a ball nut assembled with a rear end of the input shaft and having an axial bore formed with a screw groove containing therein the balls, the ball nut being coupled over the intermediate portion of the relay rod through the balls to effect axial displacement of the relay rod in accordance with rotary motion of the same.

Abstract: Recirculating ball mechanism comprising a body (10), an actuator shaft (16) rotatably mounted within the body (10) and turnable in response to rotation of an input shaft (12), an output piston (18) slidably mounted in the body (10), a bore (22) within the output piston (18) in which is received an end (26) of the actuator shaft (16), the bore (22) having an internal threaded surface (24), the end (26) of the actuator shaft (16) being formed with a threaded surface (28), a series of balls (30) located between the two threaded surfaces (24, 28) so as to operatively connect the actuator shaft (16) to the output piston whereby a given rotation of the actuator shaft (16) produces an associated displacement of the output piston (18) in the body (10), and mechanism (42, 44) for recirculating the balls (30) to a point of origin in the thread (28) formed on the actuator shaft (16) characterized in that the thread (28) comprises at least one closed loop (40) extending around the circumference of the actuator shaft (16)

Abstract: A steering gear box mount includes a resilient member interposed between a motor vehicle body and a steering gear box for allowing movement of the steering gear box. The mount also has a structure for limiting allowed movement of the steering gear box. The structure includes a mechanism for selectively rigidly fixing the steering gear box to a motor vehicle body, or a mechanism for continuously adjusting the allowed movement of the steering gear box.

Abstract: A steering gear box mount includes a resilient member interposed between a motor vehicle body and a steering gear box for allowing movement of the steering gear box. The mount also has a structure for limiting allowed movement of the steering gear box. The structure includes a mechanism for selectively fixing the steering gear box to a motor vehicle body, or a mechanism for continuously adjusting the allowed movement of the steering gear box.

Abstract: A gear assembly: a gear assembly which is used in a power assisted steering system of a vehicle.The gear assembly comprises a piston (1) within a cylinder (2), the piston (1) being axially displaceable in response to an input shaft (4). The piston (1) is axially rotatable by means of a track (18) and track follower (19) in response to axial displacement. Splines (40) on the piston (1) intermesh with teeth (42a) of a take off part (42) which is laterally spaced and in side by side relationship with the piston. By rotation of the piston (1) an output shaft (44) of the take off part (42) is rotated. In a modification of the take off part instead of being in side by side relationship is an extension of the piston and the track is of variable curved portions.

Abstract: A steering mechanism with time derivation wherein a servo member dependent upon an angular velocity of a steering wheel is connected in the manner of a gear system by means of a summing gear mechanism with a servo member dependent on an angle of the steering wheel turn and also with a servo member dependent on an angle of the wheel turn of steered vehicle wheels. A gear element of the summing gear mechanism pertaining to the servo member dependent on the angular velocity is supported toward a housing by way of a resilient support. The servo member dependent on the angular velocity is positively turned off with respect to its action on the summing gear mechanism if the steering wheel angle exceeds a specific limiting angle.

Abstract: The maximum operating pressure for the fluid servomotor of a fluid power operated steering system is varied as a function of steering displacement by varying the spring prestress bias on a relief valve controlling fluid discharge from the operating chamber of the fluid servomotor. The valve spring prestress is controlled by a spring engaged plunger that is displaced relative to the servomotor piston during steering displacement.

Abstract: The tops of the teeth of a sector gear with respect to a plane of rotation of the sector gear are located on an addendum circle which is a single circular arc having a center which is located on a neutral line and which is spaced from the center of rotation of the sector gear in the direction of the arc. The portions of the top lands of the sector gear teeth at the larger diameter end of the sector gear are located on a common cylindrical surface, the remaining portions of the top lands being located on a common conical surface.The rack formed on a ball nut for engagement with the sector gear teeth is provided with a central tooth groove and outside tooth grooves, wherein the outside tooth grooves are of depth less than the central tooth groove.

Abstract: A servo-steering mechanism with a steering nut threadably movably connected with a steering worm and being supported with respect to the working piston of a servomotor to be rotatable and also axially movable by way of compression springs in directions of the steering worm axis. The steering nut is additionally supported in the directions of the steering worm axis with respect to the working piston by way of at least one hydraulic support connected with a hydraulic system of the servomotor of the servo-steering mechanism.

Abstract: Means for adjusting automatically for backlash caused by wear between the teeth of a steering nut gear rack on a steering shaft worm and the teeth of a steering mechanism gear sector which engages the rack teeth. The invention utilizes a resiliently biased, e.g., spring pressed pin carried either by the steering nut member or the gear sector member and pressing against a tooth of the other to maintain a constant torque bias of the steering nut maintaining it to a rotated position on the steering shaft. Thus, the teeth of the two members will always effect engagement with no backlash when such members are positioned with respect to each other for straight-ahead steering. When steering is initiated the response is immediate and there is no play due to looseness between steering nut rack and gear sector teeth.

Abstract: In a ball nut type steering gear for a motor vehicle having two trains of balls confined within passageways formed by the helical grooves in a threaded shaft and a ball nut which surrounds the threaded shaft, two major diameter portions disposed in spaced-apart relation are formed in the threaded shaft. When the motor vehicle travels straight ahead, the balls are rollingly engaged in the helical grooves in the major diameter portions of the threaded shaft and the ball nut, and there is no play between the grooves and the balls which are engaged in the grooves. However, when the steering wheel is manipulated, the balls are rollingly engaged in the helical grooves in portions of the threaded shaft which are smaller in diameter than the major diameter portions of the threaded shaft, and there is play of a certain extent between the balls and the helical grooves.

Abstract: Power steering gear with integral rotary valve for directing hydraulic pressure fluid to and from a piston nut and in which a sector gear actuated plunger provides a drag load on piston nut screw so that the valve body will be grounded and the valve spool will be immediately turned relative to the valve body on rotation of the stub shaft before there is lash take-up between the threads of the piston nut and screw which drivingly connect the valve body to the piston nut and sector gear.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a rack and pinion type steering gear for an automobile comprising a housing; a pinion rotatably supported in said housing to receive turning effect from a steering wheel of the automobile; and a rack meshed with the pinion and slidably supported in the housing, the rack being connected to a tie rod which is in turn connected to the front wheels of the automobile. The pinion comprises first and second pinion portions rotatable separately from each other and having spiral gear teeth provided reversely to each other, respectively, the first pinion portion being connected to the steering wheel and the second pinion portion being meshed with the rack.

Abstract: An improved steering apparatus is utilized to turn a steerable wheel of the vehicle. The apparatus includes an axially movable push rod or force transmitting member which is connected with the steerable wheel of a vehicle. A screw thread is formed on the push rod and cooperates with a nut which is rotated by a bevel gear connected with an input member. In order to effect a change in the steering ratio, a cam track is formed in the push rod. A cam follower or pin cooperates with the track to effect rotation of the push rod relative to the nut as the push rod is moved axially due to the rotation of the input member and nut.

Abstract: A track guided carriage unit for selectively supporting a variety of work performing devices, tools and the like for movement along a predetermined working path, in which a supporting platform has spring loaded wheels that are releasably clamped by a manually operable handle into and out of engagement with opposed surfaces of a guide track, and wherein a motor driven pinion has adjustable meshing relation with a linear rack extending along the track, the pinion being operative to advance the platform at a predetermined rate of guided movement along the work path.

Abstract: A steering mechanism with time-rate action for vehicles, which includes a first adjusting member having an adjusting path dependent on the wheel deflection angle which is coupled with the steered vehicle wheels, a second adjusting member with an adjusting path dependent on the angle of the steering wheel deflection which is coupled with this steering wheel and a third adjusting member having an adjusting path dependent on the angular velocity of the steering wheel deflection which is coupled with the steering wheel by way of a mechanism producing an adjusting magnitude dependent on the angular velocity of the steering wheel deflection, whereby the second adjusting member is gearingly connected without interposition of any elastic means with the steering wheel as also with the two other adjusting members by way of a summation gear.

Abstract: An assembly, specifically a mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, in part angularly adjustable by an electric motor and drive mechanism. A fixed motor drives a worm that is angularly movable through a flexible coupling into selective engagement with one of two nuts to drive adjusting screws that cause a mirror element to pivot about one of two mutually perpendicular axes. The screws and pivot structure for the mirror are integrally formed as part of a mirror supporting plate. The nuts are yieldably coupled to the threads of the adjusting screws to permit slippage between the two when forces exceed the wormed driving force. Operating noise is reduce by a vibration-damping motor mounting and by structure limiting worm engagement with the nuts. Projections are carried by the mirror supporting plate resiliently biased against a fixed support to reduce vibration.

Abstract: A nut on a helically threaded steering shaft, held against rotation, carries a first set of involute teeth meshing with a second set of involute teeth on an adjoining gear sector which pivots on an axis skew to that of the shaft. The two sets of teeth have centers of curvature offset from the sector axis but aligned with that axis in a midposition in which they engage each other without play; upon a shift of the nut to either side, the tooth clearance or backlash increases progressively while the transmission ratio either increases or decreases, depending upon the relative positions of the two centers of curvature and the sector axis. In a limiting case, the radius of curvature of one set of teeth is infinite.

Abstract: Basic pitch curves of a ball nut rack and sector gear of a recirculating ball type steering gear have basic pitch curves which provide a gear ratio which is a desired function of the degree of turn of the steering wheel. The teeth of the rack are formed on a stepped reference line which is different from its basic pitch curve.