Patent ID: 6557433
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: B62D,F16C,F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
A telescopic shaft comprising:a female tube member having a coupler at a first end, and a longitudinal cavity open at a second opposite end, the inner surface of which cavity includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally ribs which define alternating grooves and protrusions; a male tube member telescopically receivable within the longitudinal cavity in the female tube member, the male tube member having a coupler at one end, a longitudinally extending cavity at the other end, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally ribs which define alternating grooves and protrusions extending along the outer surface thereof between the two ends, the ribs on the tube members being so dimensioned and spaced that the protrusions on the male member fit into the grooves in the female member and the protrusions on the female member fit into the grooves in the male member when the male member is telescopically received in the female member; an adjusting member disposed between the outer surface of the male tube member and the inner surface of the cavity in the female tube member, the adjusting member being comprised of a longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced, resilient, substantially prismatic body portion; a closure element positioned on one of the tube members that engages with a first end of the resilient body portion; and a plug member that applies an axial force to a second opposite end of the resilient body portion, whereby the resilient body portion is radially distorted to engage with the outer surface of the male tube member and the inner surface of the cavity in the female tube member, and thereby to prevent rotational play and to control the friction during relative axial movement of the female and male tube members.