Rack and pinion assembly
US4369669A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 1980 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/1967
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A rack and pinion assembly in which a rack bar (1) is longitudinally displaceable through a housing (2) by rotation of a pinion (4) engaging with the rack (3). The rack bar (1) is supported in engagement with the pinion (4) by a plastics moulded bearing member (7) having a saddle-shaped bearing part (9) and a tubular retaining part (8) which is displaced longitudinally from the part (9). The bearing part (9) is of saddle-shape to straddle the rack bar (1) opposite to the region of engagement between the rack and pinion teeth and has a resilient bearing surface which biases the rack bar laterally into engagement with the pinion. The straddling portions of the saddle-shape restrain the rack bar from displacement in the direction of the pinion axis (4a). The retaining part (8) locates the bearing member (7) in the housing (2) and restrains that member from rotation (by keying engagement between rib (11) and channel (12)) and from longitudinal displacement by its co-operation in an annular recess (15). The bearing member (7) can co-operate with the recess (15) by snap engagement during initial location of the bearing member. Preferably the saddle-shaped bearing part (9) has three discr…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.