US 11,891,123 B2
Utility terrain vehicle (UTV) steering rack support assembly
Brent G Reynolds, Peoria, AZ (US); and Jonathan D. Roberts, Peoria, AZ (US)
Assigned to Sandcraft LLC, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Filed by Sandcraft LLC, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Filed on Oct. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/502,866.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/093,112, filed on Oct. 16, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0119032 A1, Apr. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. B62D 3/12 (2006.01); B62D 7/16 (2006.01); B62D 9/00 (2006.01); F16H 19/04 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 3/12 (2013.01) [B62D 7/163 (2013.01); B60G 2200/314 (2013.01); B60G 2200/44 (2013.01); F16H 19/04 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aftermarket steering rack support assembly coupled to a rack and pinion assembly, comprising:
a support shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein a cross section of the support shaft is substantially the same along a length of the support shaft extending between the first end and the second end;
a first mounting member affixed to the first end of the support shaft and affixed to the rack and pinion assembly outward of a first billows, wherein the first billows is axially aligned with the rack and pinion assembly;
a second mounting member affixed to the second end of the support shaft and affixed to the rack and pinion assembly outward of a second billows, wherein the second billows is axially aligned with the rack and pinion assembly;
a sleeve disposed around an outer surface of the support shaft and slidably coupled to the support shaft, the sleeve being fixedly coupled to the rack and pinion assembly inward of the first billows and the second billows; and
an aftermarket bracket affixed to the sleeve, the bracket coupled to a first tie rod and a second tie rod, wherein the first tie rod and the second tie rod are configured to change a selected direction of motion of a vehicle in response to movement of the sleeve along the support shaft.