초록 ▼

A linkage assembly (20) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a hollow center link (30) formed of a single piece of sheet metal. A first hollow tie rod (54) is pivotally connected with a first connector section (48) of the center link (30) and with a steerable vehicle wheel (22). The

A linkage assembly (20) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a hollow center link (30) formed of a single piece of sheet metal. A first hollow tie rod (54) is pivotally connected with a first connector section (48) of the center link (30) and with a steerable vehicle wheel (22). The first tie rod (54) includes a hollow inner section (62) formed of a single piece of sheet metal and a hollow outer section (64) formed of a single piece of sheet metal. An adjustment mechanism (66) interconnects the inner and outer sections (62, 64) of the first tie rod (54) to enable the length of the first tie rod to be varied. A second hollow tie rod (74) has the same construction as the first tie rod (54) and is connected with a second connector section (50) of the center link (30) and with a second steerable vehicle wheel (24).

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having described the invention, the following is claimed:] [1.] A linkage assembly for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels, said linkage assembly comprising:a center link formed of sheet metal, said center link having a hollow central section, a hollow first end section, a first connector sect

[ Having described the invention, the following is claimed:] [1.] A linkage assembly for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels, said linkage assembly comprising:a center link formed of sheet metal, said center link having a hollow central section, a hollow first end section, a first connector section interconnecting said central section and said first end section, a hollow second end section, and a second connector section interconnecting said central section and said second end section, said first end section having an outer end portion to be connected with a pitman arm, said second end section having an outer end portion to be connected with an idler arm;a first tie rod connected with said first connector section of said center link, said first tie rod including a hollow inner section formed of sheet metal and having an end portion connected with said first connector section of said center link, a hollow outer section formed of sheet metal and having an end portion to be connected with a first steerable vehicle wheel, and a first adjustment mechanism interconnecting said inner and outer sections of said first tie rod to enable the length of said first tie rod to be varied;a second tie rod connected with said second connector section of said center link, said second tie rod including a hollow inner section formed of sheet metal and having an end portion connected with said second connector section of said center link, a hollow outer section formed of sheet metal and having and end portion to be connected with a second steerable vehicle wheel, and a second adjustment mechanism interconnecting said inner and outer sections of said second tie rod to enable the length of said second tie rod to be varied; anda first pivot joint interconnecting said center link and said first tie rod at said first connector section, said first pivot joint including a first pivot pin having a first portion which is at least partially enclosed by sheet metal of said center link and a second portion which is at least partially enclosed by sheet metal of said inner section of said first tie rod, and a second pivot joint interconnecting said center link and said second tie rod at said second connector section, said second pivot pin having a first portion which is at least partially enclosed by sheet metal of said center link and a second portion which is at least partially enclosed by sheet metal of said inner section of said second tie rod;said first pivot pin having a first head end portion and a first shank portion which extends axially outward from said first head end portion, said first portion of said first pivot pin being a portion of said first shank portion which is disposed adjacent to said first head end portion, said sheet metal of said center link which at least partially encloses said first portion of said first pivot pin being configured to form a surface which is engaged by said first head end portion.