GEARLESS OFFSET STEERING SHAFT COUPLING
A steering shaft coupling device and method providing a gearless, offset steering arrangement. The device includes a housing having an first section and a second section forming a compartment having two adjacent openings therein, a first and a second CV joint, each CV joint seated within each one of the openings of the housing compartment, and a linkage joining the first and second joints. The CV joints may also function as slip joints.
1 . A steering shaft coupling device comprising:
a housing having an first section and a second section forming a compartment having two adjacent openings therein;
a first and a second CV joint, each CV joint seated within each one of the openings of the housing compartment; and,
a linkage joining the first and second joints.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second joints are positioned adjacent to one another within the housing compartment.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first CV joint is an input joint for receiving an input shaft and the second CV joint is an output joint for receiving an output shaft.
4 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the CV joints provide an offset arrangement for the input shaft and the output shaft.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein each of the CV joint includes a center profile which functions as a slip joint.
6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the slip joint is capable of adjusting the input shaft to a steering column and adjusting the output shaft to a steering axle.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the linkage comprises a ball bearing drive.
8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein an outer surface of each CV joint includes a circumferential recess for engaging the ball bearing drive.
9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the linkage travels within a track surrounding the openings within the housing compartment and the recess providing rotational movement of the couplings for both the input shaft and the output shaft.
10 . A steering shaft coupling device for use in a vehicle, the device comprising;
a housing having a first section and a second section forming a compartment therein;
at least two openings formed adjacent to one another within the housing compartment;
an input joint and an output joint, each joint seated within each of the openings in the housing compartment;
a track formed within the housing compartment and surrounding the openings containing the input joint and the output joint; and
a linkage positioned within the track and capable of engaging and driving each of the input joint and the output joint.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the joints comprise CV joints.
12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein each joint includes a circumferential recess.
13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the recess engages the linkage.
14 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the linkage comprises a ball bearing drive.
15 . A method of providing a gearless offset steering shaft coupling, the method including the steps of:
providing a housing having a first section and a second section forming a compartment having at least two adjacent openings therein;
providing an input joint and an output joint;
seating each joint within each one of the openings; and,
providing a linkage surrounding the openings and seated joints, the linkage capable of engaging with and driving each of the input joint and the output joint.
15 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises the step of providing a track formed within the housing compartment and surrounding the openings, wherein the track receives the linkage.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of driving the rotational movement of the input joint and output joint further comprises providing a circumferential recess around each joint for engaging the linkage.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the linkage comprises a ball bearing drive.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the joints comprise CV joints.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the joints function as slip joints.
20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the method further includes providing an offset arrangement of an input shaft and an output shaft.