Patent attributes
A clockspring device that includes an outer housing with a circumferential wall that defines a chamber. The circumferential wall includes a vertically-oriented track. A rotor having a keyway is configured to fit at least partially within the outer housing. A coil of cable is positioned within the chamber and has a first end and a second end. The first end of the coil of cable is attached to the rotor and the second end of the coil of cable is attached to the outer housing. A clip having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion is configured to fit within the vertically-oriented track. The middle portion of the clip has two flexible tabs. Each flexible tab has a portion that extends away from the middle portion. The flexible tabs are compressed or bent in order to insert the clip in the track and slide it along the track and into an engaged position. When the clip is in the engaged position, the position of the rotor is fixed with respect to the outer housing. The clip may be moved to a disengaged position where it is still positioned partly within the track. When the clip is in the disengaged position, the rotor is free to move relative to the outer housing. The circumferential wall of the housing may also include one or more ribs and two spring clips to help center the clockspring device when it is installed in an assembly, such as a steering gear assembly.
