Variable length shaft assembly particularly for motor vehicle steering shafts

A shaft assembly capable of length variation, particularly useful as a sterring shaft for a motor vehicle comprising:

• at least two coaxially arranged shaft members telescopically joined together to effect mechanical transmission of torque, said members comprising an outer tubular member and an inner member slidably inserted within said outer member;
• said outer member having an inner peripheral wall and said inner member having an outer peripheral wall, with said inner and said outer peripheral walls being shaped for complementary interfitting relationship;
• a sliding sleeve made of macromolecular material fitted between said inner and outer peripheral walls for effecting sliding interfitting engagement between said shaft members;
• said sliding sleeve being firmly affixed on one side thereof to one of said inner and outer shaft members;
• pairs of resilient fins formed on a side of said sleeve opposite said one side extending longitudinally therealong and radially therefrom into engagement with the other of said shaft members, said fins being subjected to resilient deformation by compression between said shaft members to apply a resilient force between said inner and outer shaft members;
• and
• an elongated cord consisting of permanently elastic material arranged between each of the fins of said pairs of resilient fins.

A shaft assembly capable of length variation, particularly useful as a steering shaft for a motor vehicle comprising:

• at least two coaxially arranged shaft members telescopically joined together to effect mechanical transmission of torque, said members comprising an outer tubular member and an inner member slidably inserted within said outer member;
• said outer member having an inner peripheral wall and said inner member having an outer peripheral wall, with said inner and said outer oeripheral walls being shaped for complementary interfitting relationship;
• a sliding sleeve made of macromolecular material fitted between said inner and outer peripheral walls for effecting sliding interfitting engagement between said shaft members;
• said sliding sleeve being firmly affixed on one side thereof to one of said inner and outer shaft members;
• and
• pairs of resilient fins formed on a side of said sleeve opposite said one side extending longitudinally therealong and radially therefrom into engagement with the other of said shaft members, said fins being subjected to resilient deformation by compression to apply a resilient force between said inner and outer shaft members;
• said sliding sleeve being formed with a differing wall thickness over the circumference thereof.

A shaft assembly capable of length variation, particularly useful as a sterring shaft for a motor vehicle comprising:

• at least two coaxially arranged shaft members telescopically joined together to effect mechanical transmission of torque, said members comprising an outer tubular member and an inner member slidably inserted within said outer member;
• said outer member having an inner peripheral wall and said inner member having an outer peripheral wall, with said inner and said outer peripheral walls being shaped for complementary interfitting relationship;
• a sliding sleeve made of macromolecular material fitted between said inner and outer peripheral walls for effecting sliding interfitting engagement between said shaft members;
• said sliding sleeve being firmly affixed on one side thereof to one of said inner and outer shaft members;
• and
• pairs of resilient fins formed on a side of said sleeve opposite said one side extending longitudinally therealong and radially therefrom into engagement with the other of said shaft members, said fins being subjected to resilient deformation by compression between said shaft members to apply a resilient force between said inner and outer shaft members;
• said sleeve being formed with at least one of depressions and perforations into which lubricants or anti-corrosive materials may be provided.