Power steering mechanism

A power steering mechanism for transmitting steering input to a steering wheel into movement of an output steering member, said mechanism comprising:

• a. a worm gear in toothed engagement with the output steering member, said worm gear being mounted in a housing and defining an input end toward the steering wheel and an output end, said worm gear defining an axial bore including internal connecting means adjacent said output end;
• b. an input shaft receiving steering input and extending into said axial bore from said input end and having an output end in operative association with said internal connecting means;
• c. valve means disposed adjacent said output end of said worm gear, said valve means including a first valve member rotatable relative to the housing and means for transmitting rotation of said input shaft into rotation of said first valve member;
• d. a fluid-actuated motor including a movable element, said valve means being disposed between said fluid-actuated motor and said output end of said worm gear;
• e. said valve means being operable in response to rotation of said input shaft to direct pressurized fluid from a fluid source to said fluid-actuated motor to cause movement of said movable element;
• and
• f. means for translating said movement of said movable element into rotational movement of said worm gear.

A power steering mechanism for providing movement of an output steering member in response to rotation of a steering wheel, comprising:

• a. a worm gear mounted for rotation about its axis and in toothed engagement with the output steering member to transmit said rotation thereto, said worm gear being mounted in a housing and having an input end toward the steering wheel and an output end;
• b. an input shaft receiving steering input and having a lost motion connection to said worm gear permitting a relative rotational displacement therebetween;
• c. valve means including a first valve member rotatable relative to the housing and means for transmitting rotation of said input shaft into rotation of said first valve member;
• d. a fluid-actuated motor disposed adjacent the ouput end of said worm gear including a movable element;
• e. said valve means being disposed between said output end of said worm gear and said fluid actuated motor and being operable to direct pressurized fluid from a fluid source to said fluid-actuated motor upon said relative rotation of said first valve member, said pressurized fluid causing movement of said movable element, said movement including a rotational component;
• f. shaft means for translating said movement of said movable element into rotational movement of said worm gear;
• and
• g. said worm gear, said input shaft, said valve means, said fluid-actuated motor, and said shaft means being arranged relative to each other to permit conversion of said power steering mechanism to a manual steering mechanism by removal of said valve means, said fluid-actuated motor, and said shaft means without disassembling said worm gear and said input shaft.