Patent ID: 6098494
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: B60R,B62D,F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
A device for mounting a steering wheel on a steering shaft of a vehicle, the device comprising:a boss located at the center of the steering wheel, said boss having a hole for receiving the steering shaft, wherein inner splines are formed on an inner wall of said hole;outer splines formed on the circumference of the steering shaft, said outer splines being engaged with said inner splines when said boss receives a distal end of said steering shaft;a fastener rotatably connected to the steering wheel, said fastener having a second set of threads, wherein said second set of threads is tightened to a first set of threads provided at said distal end of said steering shaft to secure said boss to said steering shaft;a driven gear formed on the surface of said fastener;a gear shaft having an axis supported by the steering wheel, said gear shaft having a drive gear that meshes with said driven gear, wherein rotation of said gear shaft causes the fastener to rotate for fastening the steering wheel to the steering shaft; anda retainer connected to the steering wheel for retaining the fastener, wherein the fastener is loosely connected to the retainer to permit the fastener to rotate and move axially within predetermined limits, wherein the retainer is constructed and arranged to hold the fastener in a position that is axially spaced from the boss prior to installation of the steering wheel so that the inner and outer splines will engage before the first and second threads engage during installation, said retainer including a housing covering said boss, wherein said housing includes opposing, spaced apart side walls supporting said gear shaft in a position perpendicular to the axis of said steering shaft; anda plurality of bushings located between each of said opposing side walls and said gear shaft.