Length adjuster and clamping mechanism for a steering mechanism

摘要

The steering mechanism includes a center link which extends between opposite longitudinal ends. Each end has a bore with threads which are spaced from the end by an unthreaded portion. A tie rod includes a bore with threads that are spaced form an end of the tie rod by an unthreaded portion. A length adjuster threadedly connects one of the longitudinal ends of the center link with the tie rod. The length adjuster includes threaded sections and an unthreaded middle section. The unthreaded middle section overlaps with the unthreaded portions of the center link and tie rod bores respectively. A first clamp is clamped around the overlapping unthreaded portion of the center link bore and the unthreaded middle section of the length adjuster, and a second clamp is clamped around the overlapping unthreaded portion of the tie rod bore and the unthreaded middle section of the length adjuster.

主权项

1. A steering mechanism for a vehicle, comprising:
a center link extending between opposite longitudinal ends, each of said longitudinal ends having a center link bore with female threads that are spaced from said longitudinal ends by center link unthreaded portions; at least one tie rod with a tie rod end and a tie rod bore with female threads that are spaced from said tie rod end by a tie rod unthreaded portion; at least one length adjuster including first and second threaded sections with male threads and an unthreaded middle section; said first threaded section of said length adjuster being threadedly engaged with said center link bore of said center link with said center link unthreaded portion overlapping with said unthreaded middle section of said length adjuster, and said second unthreaded section of said length adjuster being threadedly engaged with said tie rod bore of said tie rod with said tie rod unthreaded portion overlapping with said unthreaded middle section of said length adjuster; and a first clamp being clamped at least partially about said overlapping center link unthreaded portion and said unthreaded middle section of said length adjuster and a second clamp being clamped at least partially about said overlapping tie rod unthreaded portion and said unthreaded middle section of said length adjuster.