# US 11,999,405 B2 · No-back spring apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,999,405 B2 - Document ID: US11999405B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/703,142 - Filed: 2022-03-24 - Published: 2022-09-29 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-03-29 - Assignees: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Applicants: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Inventors: Matthew L. Messing; Jacob A. Caverly; Douglas M. Schneider; Margaret R. Szeliga - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999405B2 ## CPC - B62D 1/16: Steering columns - F16C 27/04: Ball or roller bearings, e.g. with resilient rolling bodies - B62D 5/005: {means for generating torque on steering wheel or input member, e.g. feedback} - F16C 2326/24: Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS ## Abstract A no-back spring apparatus includes a body having an annular shape extending between an outer diameter and an inner diameter, the body comprising a first axial side and a second axial side, the second axial side including a flat portion extending from the inner diameter toward the outer diameter. The no-back spring apparatus also includes a plurality of retaining fingers circumferentially spaced from each other and integrally formed with the body and extending radially outwardly from the outer diameter. The no-back spring apparatus further includes a plurality of spring elements integrally formed with the body, each of the plurality of spring elements including a tab portion extending radially inwardly from the inner dimeter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bearing retention assembly for a vehicle steering system comprising: a housing structure; a steering shaft disposed within a bore of the housing structure; a bearing sleeve surrounding a portion of an outer surface of the steering shaft; a bearing assembly comprising an inner race and an outer race with a plurality of balls disposed between the inner race and the outer race, wherein the inner race is located between the bearing sleeve and the outer race; and a no-back spring apparatus comprising: a body formed in an annular shape extending between an outer diameter and an inner diameter; at least one retaining finger integrally formed with the body and extending radially outwardly from the outer diameter for axially retaining the no-back spring apparatus within the housing structure; and at least one spring element integrally formed with the body and extending axially from the body and in contact with a frictional surface of the bearing sleeve, wherein the body comprises a first axial side and a second axial side, wherein the first axial side faces away from the bearing sleeve, wherein the second axial side faces towards the bearing sleeve, wherein the second axial side includes a flat portion extending from the inner diameter toward the outer diameter, wherein the at least one spring element extends radially inwardly from the inner diameter of the body of the no-back spring apparatus, wherein the at least one spring element includes a tab portion extending radially inwardly from the inner dimeter, wherein the at least one spring element includes a pair of spring fingers, each of the spring fingers extending circumferentially from opposite sides of the tab portion, wherein each of the spring fingers includes an angled spring portion extending axially toward the bearing sleeve, each of the spring fingers including a flat spring portion in contact with the frictional surface of the bearing sleeve. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bearing retention assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one retaining finger comprises a plurality of fingers circumferentially spaced from each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The bearing retention assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of fingers are angled away from the bearing sleeve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bearing retention assembly of claim 1, wherein the steering shaft has a splined outer surface, the steering shaft having a retaining region that the bearing assembly is disposed within. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bearing retention assembly of claim 1, wherein the no-back spring apparatus is formed of spring steel and the bearing sleeve is formed of a plastic. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bearing retention assembly of claim 1, wherein lubrication is present on the frictional surface of the bearing sleeve.