Bushing installation tool
US6209183A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53952
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tool (10) for installing a radially compressible bushing (20) into a housing (30) of a rack and pinion steering system (32). The housing has an end portion (50) that includes a ring-shaped bushing chamber (72) and a circular opening (60) into the bushing chamber. The opening (60) has a first diameter, and the bushing chamber (72) has a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the circular opening. The tool (10) comprises a plunger (80) having a first portion (90) with an outer diameter that is less than the first diameter of the opening (60) in the housing (30). The first portion (82) of the plunger (80) has a circumferential groove (94) defined by a pair of annular end surfaces (96, 98) and a cylindrical base surface (100). The groove (94) receives the bushing (20) during installation of the bushing in the housing (30). The annular end surfaces (96, 98) of the groove (94) block axial movement of the bushing (20) along the plunger (80) while the bushing is on the plunger. The tool (10) also includes a sleeve (110) slidable along the first portion (82) of the plunger (80) to radially compress the bushing (20) and hold the bushing in the groove (94) during installation of…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.