US 11,891,112 B2
Intermediate shaft axial retention device
Michael E. Partyka, Saginaw, MI (US); Daniel P. Cook, Saginaw, MI (US); Terry E. Burkhard, Bay City, MI (US); and David E. Moore, Grand Blanc, MI (US)
Assigned to Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation, Saginaw, MI (US)
Filed by Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation, Saginaw, MI (US)
Filed on Jun. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/361,745.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/046,177, filed on Jun. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0403075 A1, Dec. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. B62D 1/185 (2006.01); F16C 3/03 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 1/185 (2013.01) [F16C 3/03 (2013.01); F16C 2220/04 (2013.01); F16C 2220/44 (2013.01); F16C 2326/24 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A steering shaft assembly comprising:
a male shaft having a plurality of teeth extending radially outwardly from a portion of the male shaft; and
a female shaft receiving a portion of the male shaft and fixed to the male shaft in a rotational direction, the male shaft axially moveable relative to the female shaft, the female shaft having an end portion and a body portion, wherein the end portion of the female shaft has an end wall thickness that is less than a body wall thickness of the body portion, the end portion curved radially inwardly to define a hard stop position during axial movement of the male shaft, wherein a portion of the end portion of the female shaft is curved beyond perpendicular to form an acute angle with the body portion of the female shaft;
wherein the teeth are overmolded with a plastic material, an end of the overmolded plastic material at an end of the plurality of teeth of the male shaft contacting the curved end portion of the female shaft at the hard stop position.