Adjustable tie rod assembly
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorCharles P. Guerriero
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An adjustable tie rod assembly for a motor vehicle steering linkage according to the present invention includes a tie rod having a threaded end, a ball joint with a split tubular attachment portion and a tubular intermediate member. The tubular portion of the joint has an internal thread. The intermediate member has both inner and outer threads. The threaded end of the tie rod, the intermediate member and the tubular portion of the joint are arranged in concentric fashion. The internal and external threads of the intermediate member are of right-hand and left-hand pitch whereby the intermediate member may be rotated to adjust the length of the assembly. Clamping means is provided for securing the three components in tight engagement.
Claims2
An adjustable tie rod assembly comprising a rod, a joint and an intermediate member,
- said rod having an externally threaded end portion,
- said joint having a tubular extension with an internally threaded portion,
- said intermediate member having a generally tubular construction with an internally threaded portion engaging the end portion of said rod,
- said intermediate member having an externally threaded portion engaging the internally threaded portion of said tubular extension,
- said internally threaded portion of said intermediate member having a different pitch from the externally threaded portion of said intermediate member,
- said intermediate member having a tool receiving portion at one of its ends,
- said intermediate member being rotatable relative to said rod and said joint whereby the length of said tie rod assembly may be changed,
- said tubular extension having an axially extending slot whereby said tubular extension may be reduced in circumferential dimension when subjected to a clamping force,
- said intermediate member having an axially extending slot whereby said intermediate member may be reduced in circumferential dimension when subjected to a clamping force,
- clamping means engaging said tubular extension constructed to impose a clamping force on said tubular extension and said intermediate member whereby said intermediate member may be held against rotation relative to said rod and said joint,
- said clamping means comprising a first flange extending radially from said tubular extension on one side of said slot in said tubular extension and a second flange extending radially from said tubular extension on the other side of said slot in said tubular extension,
- said clamping means also including a threaded fastener extending between said first and second flanges and constructed to draw said flanges together when tightened.
A steering linkage system for a motor vehicle having means for adjusting front wheel toe-in,
- said linkage system including a crosslink, a wheel spindle steering arm and an adjustable tie rod assembly operatively interconnecting said cross link and said steering arm,
- said tie rod assembly comprising a rod, a joint and an intermediate member,
- said rod having an externally threaded end portion,
- said joint being connected to one of said cross-link or steering arm and having a tubular extension with an internally threaded portion,
- said intermediate member having a generally tubular construction with an internally threaded portion engaging the end portion of said rod,
- said intermediate member having an externally threaded portion engaging the internally threaded portion of said tubular extension,
- said internally threaded portion of said intermediate member having a different pitch from the externally threaded portion of said intermediate member,
- said intermediate member having a tool receiving portion at one of its ends,
- said intermediate member being rotatable relative to said rod and said joint whereby the length of said tie rod assembly may be changed,
- said tubular extension having an axially extending slot whereby said tubular extension may be reduced in circumferential dimension when subjected to a clamping force,
- said intermediate member having an axially extending slot whereby said intermediate member may be reduced in circumferential dimension when subjected to a clamping force,
- clamping means engaging said tubular extension constructed to impose a clamping force on said tubular extension and said intermediate member whereby said intermediate member may be held against rotation relative to said rod and said joint,
- said clamping means comprising a first flange extending radially from said tubular extension on one side of said slot in said tubular extension and a second flange extending radially from said tubular extension on the other side of said slot in said tubular extension,
- said clamping means also including a threaded fastener extending between said first and second flanges and constructed to draw said flanges together when tightened.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.