IP Library Granted Patent US 9,032,833
Granted Patent B2
US 9,032,833 · App. 14/236,467 · Granted May 19, 2015

Securing element, steering bearing with a securing element and steering column with a steering bearing and a securing element

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,032,833
App. No.
14/236,467
Granted
May 19, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A securing element ( 1 ) with an annular body ( 3, 12 a, 26 ) and with holding tongues ( 4 ) which emerge from the annular body ( 3, 12 a, 26 ) and end at a hole ( 6 ) in the securing element ( 1 ), which hole is centered with respect to the center axis ( 5 ) of the securing element ( 1 ), wherein the hole ( 6 ) leads axially in the same direction as the center axis ( 5 ) through the securing element ( 1 ) and, at the radial narrowest points of the hole ( 6 ), is bounded at least by end edges ( 7 ) formed on the end sides of the holding tongues ( 4 ), and wherein in each case at least two surfaces ( 8, 9 ) bounding part of the holding tongue ( 4 ) meet and end at the respective end edge ( 7 ), and of which one of the surfaces ( 8 ) is formed on the front side of the holding tongue ( 4 ).

Claims (23)

1. A securing element comprising:

an annular body; and

retaining tongues starting from the annular body and ending at a hole in the securing element, the hole being centered relative to a central axis of the securing element and extending axially through the securing element in a same direction as the central axis while being defined at narrowest radial hole cross-sections of the hole at least through front edges configured on end sides of the retaining tongues and wherein in each case at least first and second surfaces defining a part of the retaining tongue converge into each other at the respective front edge and end on the respective front edge, the first surface of the surfaces being configured on a front end side of the retaining tongue, the first and second surfaces inclined towards each other with at least an acute angle at least on one of the retaining tongues at least at a location where the first and second surfaces merge into the front edge, wherein the front edge is interrupted.

2. The securing element as recited in claim 1 wherein the front edge protrudes beyond a level of at least one of the first and second surfaces.

3. The securing element as recited in claim 1 wherein the front edge is interrupted by a radius of 0.2 to 0.4 mm.

4. The securing element as recited in claim 2 wherein the front edge protrudes beyond the front end surface into the hole, the retaining tongues extending out of at least one radial plane crossed perpendicularly by the central axis, and the retaining tongues extend at a slant to the radial plane.

5. The securing element as recited in claim 1 wherein the front edge is interrupted by a depression extending partially into at least one of the first and second surfaces.

6. The securing element as recited in claim 1 wherein the hole is further defined by an inner edge comprising recesses and adjoining the front edges, and the retaining tongues are separated from one another in a peripheral direction with help of the recesses starting from the annular body and being open towards the hole.

7. A steering bearing comprising:

at least an inner ring;

an outer ring;

rolling elements arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring; and

the securing element as recited in claim 1 .

8. The steering bearing as recited in claim 7 wherein the securing element is configured in one piece with the inner ring.

9. A steering column comprising:

at least one steering tube;

at least one steering bearing as recited in claim 7 ; and

a steering spindle mounted rotatably in the steering tube with help of the steering bearing, the inner ring being fixed on the steering spindle through positive engagement and force-locking at least with help of the front edge of the securing element.

10. A steering column comprising:

at least one steering tube;

at least one steering bearing comprising at least an inner ring, an outer ring, rolling elements arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, and a securing element; and

a steering spindle mounted rotatably in the steering tube with help of the steering bearing, the inner ring being fixed on the steering spindle through positive engagement and force-locking at least with help of the front edge of the securing element;

the securing element including an annular body and retaining tongues starting from the annular body and ending at a hole in the securing element, the hole being centered relative to a central axis of the securing element and extending axially through the securing element in a same direction as the central axis while being defined at narrowest radial hole cross-sections of the hole at least through front edges configured on end sides of the retaining tongues and wherein in each case at least first and second surfaces defining a part of the retaining tongue converge into each other at the respective front edge and end on the respective front edge, the first surface of the surfaces being configured on a front end side of the retaining tongue, the first and second surfaces inclined towards each other with at least an acute angle at least on one of the retaining tongues at least at a location where the first and second surfaces merge into the front edge.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PROPERTY NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037732 FRAME 0347. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE APP. NO. 14/553248 SHOULD BE APP. NO. 14/553258. Recorded Oct 11, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 040404/0530 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 5, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG; SCHAEFFLER VERWALTUNGS 5 GMBH
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 037732/0228 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 5, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 037732/0347 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2014
From: ERHARDT, HERBERT; BAIER, RICHARD; OTT, JOCHEN; LUTZ, RAINER; ERHARDT, ANTON; LONCAR, PETER; NUETZEL, REINHOLD
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 032164/0887 →