# US 8,783,128 B2 · Steering column manufacturing machine and method of manufacturing a steering column

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,783,128 B2
- Document ID: US8783128B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/307,201
- Filed: 2011-11-30
- Published: 2012-03-22
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2007-08-29
- Assignees: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
- Applicants: Robert W. Dubay; David E. Witucki; Dennis G. McDonagh
- Inventors: Robert W. Dubay; David E. Witucki; Dennis G. McDonagh
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783128B2

## CPC

- B23P 15/00: Making specific metal objects by operations not covered by a single other subclass or a group in this subclass
- B62D 1/185: adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically (B62D1/183, B62D1/187, B62D1/19 take precedence)
- Y10T 29/4984: Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts
- Y10T 29/49863: with prestressing of part
- Y10T 29/49865: by temperature differential [e.g., shrink fit]
- Y10T 29/49872: Confining elastic part in socket
- Y10T 29/49934: by axially applying force
- Y10T 29/53439: including provision to utilize thermal expansion of work
- B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q)
- 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)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A steering column assembly is provided. The assembly includes an outer jacket, an inner jacket telescopingly disposed within the outer jacket for movement along a longitudinal axis with a cavity defined between the inner and outer jackets. A bushing is radially disposed about the inner jacket within the cavity between the inner and outer jackets. The bushing includes at least one tab engaging the inner jacket to interconnect the bushing to the inner jacket and includes at least one radially projecting pad engaging the outer jacket to frictionally interconnect the bushing to the outer jacket for interlocking the inner and outer jackets.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A steering column assembly comprising:
an outer jacket,
an inner jacket telescopingly disposed within said outer jacket for movement along a longitudinal axis between an extended position and a retracted position, with a cavity defined between said inner and outer jackets,
a bushing radially disposed about said inner jacket within said cavity between said inner and outer jackets,
said bushing including at least one tab engaging said inner jacket to interconnect said bushing to said inner jacket and including at least one radially projecting pad engaging said outer jacket to frictionally interconnect said bushing to said outer jacket for interlocking said inner and outer jackets and preventing axial movement between said inner and outer jackets, with said at least one radially projecting pad being melted after positioning between said inner and outer jackets to thermally size said bushing to create a predetermined biasing axial friction force between said inner and outer jackets to uniformly load said inner and outer jackets during multiple telescoping movements of the steering column assembly between the extended position and the retracted position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one radially projecting pad includes a plurality of pads.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bushing includes an inner surface and an opposing outer surface with said tab projecting inwardly from said inner surface and said pad projecting outwardly from said outer surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inner jacket includes a hole for accepting said tab of said bushing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bushing comprises a first end and a second end, and further includes a circumferential gap longitudinally extending through said bushing and splitting said bushing from said first end to said second end.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said circumferential gap is diametrically opposed to said at least one radially projecting pad.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said outer jacket includes an outer diameter and an inner diameter, said at least one radially projecting pad frictionally engaging said outer jacket inner diameter.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bushing includes in inner diameter, said at least one tab extending radially from said inner diameter, wherein said bushing inner diameter is positioned directly against an outer diameter of said inner jacket.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A steering column assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein a portion of said melted at least one radially projecting pad is wiped against said outer jacket.

### Claim 10

A telescoping steering column assembly comprising:
a first jacket;
a second jacket telescopingly disposed within said outer jacket for movement along a longitudinal axis between a locked extended position and a locked retracted position; and
a bushing radially disposed about said second jacket within a cavity defined between said first and second jackets, said bushing formed of a self-lubricating plastic material and comprising:
at least one tab engaging said second jacket to interconnect said bushing to said second jacket; and
at least one pad extending radially outward from said bushing, said at least one radially extending pad being melted after positioning between said first and second jackets to thermally size said bushing to create a predetermined biasing axial force between said first and second jackets to allow relative movement between said first and second jackets during multiple telescoping movements of the steering column assembly between the locked extended position and the locked retracted position.