US 12,384,448 B1
Utility terrain vehicle (UTV) steering rack support assembly
Brent G. Reynolds, Peoria, AZ (US); and Jonathan D. Roberts, Glendale, AZ (US)
Assigned to Sandcraft, LLC, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Filed by Sandcraft LLC, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Filed on Feb. 6, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/434,491.
Application 18/434,491 is a continuation of application No. 17/502,866, filed on Oct. 15, 2021, granted, now 11,891,123.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/093,112, filed on Oct. 16, 2020.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B62D 3/12 (2006.01); B62D 7/16 (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 configured to be 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, the first mounting member configured to couple to the rack and pinon assembly outward of a first bellows of the rack and pinon assembly, wherein the first bellows is axially aligned with the rack and pinion assembly;
a second mounting member affixed to the second end of the support shaft, the second mounting member configured to couple to the rack and pinon assembly outward of a second bellows of the rack and pinon assembly, wherein the second bellows is axially aligned with the rack and pinion assembly; and
a sleeve disposed around an outer surface of the support shaft and slidably coupled to the support shaft, the sleeve having an aftermarket bracket affixed to the sleeve, the bracket configured to couple to a rack and pinion assembly, a first tie rod, and a second tie rod, wherein when the steering rack support assembly is coupled to the rack and pinion assembly, 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.