| CPC F16M 13/02 (2013.01) [B62D 1/16 (2013.01); B62D 65/02 (2013.01)] | 19 Claims |
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1. A steering system for a recreational vehicle, the steering system comprising:
a steering column having a cylindrical portion that connects a first end of the steering column to a second end of the steering column, wherein the cylindrical portion of the steering column has a convex outer surface; and
a sheet-metal bracket comprising:
a central curved portion having a concave surface configured to receive the convex outer surface of the cylindrical portion;
a first and second flange portion disposed on each side of the central curve portion, each of the first and second flange portions having a plurality of through holes and a plurality of gussets configured to provide rigidity between the each flange portion and the central curved portion,
wherein each of the first and second flange portions includes a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion, the first and second protruding portions each being configured to extend away from the central curved portion to accommodate at least one of the plurality of through holes,
wherein the first and second protruding portions of a respective flange portion of the first and second flange portions are arranged at opposing axial ends of the respective flange portion,
wherein each of the first and second flange portions further includes a connecting portion between the first and second protruding portions, the connecting portions each having a smaller lateral extent relative to the central curved portion than a lateral extent of each of the first and second protruding portions relative to the central curved portion,
wherein the concave curved surface of the bracket is disposed against the convex outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the steering column, and
wherein the bracket is fixedly attached to a chassis of the recreational vehicle using at least two bolts passing through at least two through holes of the plurality of through holes.
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