# US 12,179,831 B1 · Bendable steering shaft > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,179,831 B1 - Document ID: US12179831B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/231,618 - Filed: 2023-08-08 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2023-08-08 - Applicants: Jacob Hanson - Inventors: Jacob Hanson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179831B1 ## CPC - B62D 1/10: Hubs; Connecting hubs to steering columns, e.g. adjustable (B62D1/11 takes precedence) - B62D 1/16: Steering columns - B62D 1/185: adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically (B62D1/183, B62D1/187, B62D1/19 take precedence) - B62D 1/20: Connecting steering column to steering gear - F16C 1/08: End connections - F16C 2326/24: Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns - F16D 3/16: Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts - 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 - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES ## Abstract A steering shaft apparatus for transferring a torque from a steering wheel to a steering gearbox while adapting to obstructions and movement of the steering gearbox relative to the steering wheel includes a rigid shaft and a flexible shaft. The rigid shaft connects to the steering wheel and the flexible shaft connects to an input of the steering gearbox. A torque applied to the steering wheel is transferred through the rigid shaft and the flexible shaft to the input. The flexible shaft bends as needed while continuing to serve to transfer the torque. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering shaft apparatus for an automobile, the apparatus comprising: a rigid shaft being elongated between a first end and a second end; and a flexible shaft being coupled to the rigid shaft such that a rotation of the rigid shaft about a central longitudinal axis of the rigid shaft urges the flexible shaft to rotate about a central longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft, the flexible shaft being elongated between a proximal end and a distal end relative to the rigid shaft, the flexible shaft extending away from the second end of the rigid shaft, the flexible shaft comprising a flexible material such that the flexible shaft is bendable along the central longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft, the flexible shaft being rotatable about the central longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft when the central longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft is positioned in a non-linear orientation, wherein the flexible shaft is slidably coupled to the rigid shaft such that a full shaft length from the first end of the rigid shaft to the distal end of the flexible shaft is adjustable. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible material comprises a cable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid shaft has a tubular shape, and further comprising an insert being coupled to the proximal end of the flexible shaft and being positioned in the rigid shaft, the insert having an exterior complementary in shape to an interior of the rigid shaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a cross section of the rigid shaft taken perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the rigid shaft has a square shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bearing assembly being coupled to the rigid shaft, the bearing assembly comprising: a pair of collars being coupled to the rigid shaft; and an outer tube being rotatably coupled to and extending between the pair of collars. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a steering wheel connector being coupled to and extending away from the first end of the rigid shaft, the steering wheel connector having a neck configured for connecting to a steering wheel via a snap fit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a cross section of the steering wheel connector has a hexagonal shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a universal joint being coupled to the distal end of the flexible shaft. ### Claim 9 A steering shaft apparatus for an automobile, the apparatus comprising: a rigid shaft being elongated between a first end and a second end; and a flexible shaft being coupled to the rigid shaft such that a rotation of the rigid shaft about a central longitudinal axis of the rigid shaft urges the flexible shaft to rotate about a central longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft, the flexible shaft being elongated between a proximal end and a distal end relative to the rigid shaft, the flexible shaft extending away from the second end of the rigid shaft, the flexible shaft comprising a flexible material such that the flexible shaft is bendable along the central longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft, the flexible shaft being rotatable about the central longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft when the central longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft is positioned in a non-linear orientation; and a bearing assembly being coupled to the rigid shaft, the bearing assembly comprising: a pair of collars being coupled to the rigid shaft, an outer tube being rotatably coupled to and extending between the pair of collars, and wherein the bearing assembly further comprises a plurality of set screws, each set screw of the plurality of set screws being coupled to an associated collar of the pair of collars and engaging the rigid shaft to retain the associated collar to the rigid shaft. ### Claim 10 A steering shaft apparatus for an automobile, the apparatus comprising: a rigid shaft being elongated between a first end and a second end, the rigid shaft having a tubular shape, a cross section of the rigid shaft taken perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the rigid shaft having a square shape; a flexible shaft being coupled to the rigid shaft such that a rotation of the rigid shaft about the central longitudinal axis of the rigid shaft urges the flexible shaft to rotate about a central longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft, the flexible shaft being elongated between a proximal end and a distal end relative to the rigid shaft, the flexible shaft extending away from the second end of the rigid shaft, the flexible shaft comprising a flexible material such that the flexible shaft is bendable along the central longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft, the flexible shaft being rotatable about the central longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft when the central longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft is positioned in a non-linear orientation, the flexible material comprising a cable, the flexible shaft being slidably coupled to the rigid shaft such that a full shaft length from the first end of the rigid shaft to the distal end of the flexible shaft is adjustable; an insert being coupled to the proximal end of the flexible shaft and being positioned in the rigid shaft, the insert having an exterior complementary in shape to an interior of the rigid shaft; a bearing assembly being coupled to the rigid shaft, the bearing assembly comprising: a pair of collars being coupled to the rigid shaft; an outer tube being rotatably coupled to and extending between the pair of collars; and a plurality of set screws, each set screw of the plurality of set screws being coupled to an associated collar of the pair of collars and engaging the rigid shaft to retain the associated collar to the rigid shaft; a steering wheel connector being coupled to and extending away from the first end of the rigid shaft, the steering wheel connector having a neck configured for connecting to a steering wheel via a snap fit, a cross section of the steering wheel connector having a hexagonal shape; and a universal joint being coupled to the distal end of the flexible shaft.