Variable length shaft assembly
US5348345A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 27, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2326/24
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A variable length shaft assembly including a first shaft having a tubular polygonal end, a second shaft having a correspondingly polygonal solid end telescopically disposed in the polygonal tubular end, an arched spring in a spring chamber in the solid polygonal end having a planar body portion bearing in sliding engagement on a planar wall of the polygonal tubular end and biasing the polygonal solid and tubular ends in opposite directions to a substantially zero clearance relationship in which linear clearances are reduced to substantially zero, and a monolithic plastic block injection molded in situ in the spring chamber behind the flat body portion. After the in situ injection molded plastic solidifies, the monolith plastic block captures the substantially zero clearance relationship between the polygonal solid and tubular ends and encases the arched spring such that the flat body portion thereof defines a reinforced wear plate on the block in sliding engagement on the planar wall of the tubular polygonal end.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.