Parallelogram-style steering mechanism having a relay rod bushing
US7914023B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 2009 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/458
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A steering mechanism includes a relay rod and an idler arm operatively attached to a first end thereof. A pitman arm includes a stud and is operatively attached to a second end of the relay rod. A bushing is configured to allow displacement of the pitman arm relative to the relay rod. The bushing includes an outer can, an inner metal member, and a bushing disposed therebetween. The inner metal member has a tapered receptacle configured to mate with a tapered portion of the stud. The resilient member may include voids, which may be oriented generally perpendicular to a turning direction and may be tapered from the base to the opening. The inner metal member may have a generally-cylindrical portion and substantially-opposing outer flats interrupting the same. The outer flats are spaced by a distance smaller than the cylinder diameter and may be substantially parallel to the turning direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.