Fail-safe universal joint connection
US5253949A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 1992 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/7079
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A universal joint (10) for a steering gear input shaft (11) includes a yoke (12), a bolt (14) movable into an installed position in the yoke, and a spring clip (22) for locking the bolt in its installed position in the yoke. The spring clip (22) moves with the bolt (14) when the bolt is moved into its installed position in the yoke (12), and has first and second portions (202, 212). The first and second portions (202, 212) of the spring clip (22) have locking positions in which the first portion (202) engages the bolt (14) and the second portion (212) interlocks with the yoke (12) to block movement of the bolt out of the yoke. The second portion (212) of the spring clip (22) moves resiliently into its locking position to interlock with the yoke (12) upon movement of the bolt (14) into its installed position in the yoke (12).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.