FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13]
TITLE: “A DAMPING MEMBER FOR A BUSH ASSEMBLY OF A VEHICLE AND
THE BUSH ASSEMBLY THEREOF”
Name and Address of the Applicant: TATA MOTORS LIMITED; Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India.
Nationality: Indian
The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Present disclosure generally relates to a field of vehicle steering systems. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a damping member for a bush assembly of a pitman arm to minimize transfer of vibrations to a steering wheel of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[002] A steering system of an automobile allows controlling a direction of travel of the vehicle. The steering system is configured to angularly orient front wheels of the vehicle based on requirement. A typical steering system includes a steering wheel connected to a steering box by a steering column. The steering box has an arm called a pitman arm attached to an output shaft. The pitman arm is connected to one end of a center link, also known as a drag link which is further connected to a steering arm. The steering arm is connected to the wheels of the vehicle. The pitman arm is configured to convert rotational movement of the steering column into lateral movement of the steering arm to turn the wheels for controlling direction of the vehicle..
[003] Conventionally, during movement of the vehicle on rough terrain or irregular road surfaces, the wheels of the vehicle are subjected to vibrations. These vibrations are transferred to the pitman arm through the drag link and ultimately reach the steering wheel through the steering column. Consequently, this results in inaccurate steering of the vehicle which may compromise safety of passengers of the vehicle by increasing chances of accidents. Further, these vibrations may also be felt by a driver operating the steering wheel which may be inconvenient and may eventually lead to wear of the components of the steering system. This results in frequent replacement of the components of the steering system which involves significant costs and thereby increases overall maintenance cost of the vehicle.
[004] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or other such limitations associated with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[005] One or more shortcomings of conventional systems are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through a damping member and a bush assembly for a vehicle as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the

techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered as a part of the claimed disclosure.
[006] In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a damping member for a bush assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The damping member comprises a body having a contact area provided on a central axis of the body. The contact area is to maintain a contact with an outer race of the bush assembly of the vehicle. A first tapered block is defined with a first provision. A second tapered block defined with a second provision. The first tapered block and the second tapered block extend away from one another on either sides of the contact area. A first resilient member is disposed in the first provision and a second resilient member disposed in the second provision. The first and second resilient members are configured to absorb vibrations of the first and second tapered blocks and prevent the vibrations from getting transferred to the outer race of the bush assembly.
[007] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first and second tapered blocks extend along a longitudinal direction of the damping member.
[008] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first and second resilient members with its ends extend from the first and second provisions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the damping member.
[009] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the contact area, and the ends of the first and second resilient members are on a same plane.
[010] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first and second tapered blocks are defined with a diameter gradually decreasing from the contact area towards either ends of the first and second tapered blocks.
[011] In another non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a bush assembly of a pitman arm of a vehicle is disclosed. The bush assembly comprises an outer race to engage with a first aperture defined in the pitman arm. An inner race is concentrically disposed within the outer race and configured to engage with a shaft connected to a drag link of the vehicle. An intermediate casing is secured between the outer race and the inner race. The intermediate casing is circumferentially defined with a plurality of slots to receive a plurality of damping members. Each damping member comprises a contact area provided on a central axis of the damping member. A first tapered block is defined with a first provision. A second tapered block

is defined with a second provision. The first tapered block and the second tapered block extend away from one another on either sides of the contact area. A first resilient member is disposed in the first provision and a second resilient member disposed in the second provision. The first and second resilient members are configured to contact an inner surface of the outer race and an outer surface of the inner race respectively. The first and second resilient members are configured to absorb vibrations from the inner race and inhibit transfer of vibrations to the outer race.
[012] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the contact area is in continuous line contact with the inner surface of the outer race and the outer surface of the inner race.
[013] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of slots extends in an axial direction of the intermediate casing along an axis
[014] In another non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a steering wheel and a steering column connected to the steering wheel. A drag link connects the steering column to wheels of the vehicle. A pitman arm is provided to connect the steering column with the drag link. The pitman arm comprises a first aperture to receive a ball joint connected to the drag link of the steering mechanism. A bush assembly is disposed between the first aperture and the ball joint. The bush assembly comprising a plurality of damping members radially disposed in an intermediate casing, between an outer race and an inner race of the bush assembly. Each damping member comprises a contact area provided on a central axis [A-A] of the damping member. The contact area is to contact an inner surface of the outer race and an outer surface of the inner race of the bush assembly. A first tapered block is defined with a first provision and a second tapered block is defined with a second provision. The first tapered block and the second tapered block extend away from one another on either sides of the contact area. A first resilient member is disposed in the first provision and a second resilient member disposed in the second provision. The first and second resilient members are configured to absorb vibrations from the drag link and inhibit transfer of vibrations to the pitman arm.
[015] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described
above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[016] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[017] The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a damping member for a bush assembly of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2 illustrates a front sectional view of the damping member of Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the bush assembly for a pitman arm of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an intermediate casing of the bush assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figs. 5a and 5b illustrates a side view and a front sectional of an outer race of the bush assembly of Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of the bush assembly of Fig. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 7 illustrates a front sectional view of the bush assembly with the damping member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the pitman arm installed with the bush assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 illustrates the front sectional view of Fig. 8, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 10 illustrates a side view of a steering mechanism of the vehicle having the pitman arm and the bush assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[018] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[019] While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the figure and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[020] It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify various features of a device, and an assembly without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, such modifications are considered to be part of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art having benefit of the description herein. Also, the device and the assembly of the present disclosure may be employed in various vehicles having different specifications and steering mechanisms.
[021] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that of the device, or the assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such device, or the system or the assembly. In other words, one or more elements in the device or the assembly proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the device and the assembly.

[022] Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a damping member for a bush assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The damping member comprises a body having a contact area provided on a central axis of the body. The contact area is configured to maintain a contact with an outer race of the bush assembly of the vehicle. A first tapered block is defined with a first provision. A second tapered block is defined with a second provision. The first tapered block and the second tapered block extend away from one another on either sides of the contact area. A first resilient member is disposed in the first provision and a second resilient member disposed in the second provision. The first and second resilient members are configured to absorb vibrations of the first and second tapered blocks and prevent the vibrations from getting transferred to the outer race of the bush assembly.
[023] The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figs. 1 to 10. In the figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.
[024] Referring to Fig. 1 which illustrates a perspective view of a damping member (100) for a bush assembly (200) of a vehicle (400) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The damping member (100) is arranged within the bush assembly (200) to provide damping effect while allowing load transfer through the bush assembly (200). The damping member (100) comprises a body (101) defined with a contact area (102) provided on a central axis [A-A] of the body (101) (as shown in Fig.2). The body (101) may be defined as a solid cylindrical structure extending in an axial direction along the central axis (A-A). In an embodiment, the body (101) may be manufactured by at least one of a synthetic material such as but not limited to silicon, or any other polymeric material based on the requirement. The contact area (102) is defined with a major diameter (D) at a central portion of the body (101). The contact area (102) is adapted to maintain a contact with an outer race (210) of the bush assembly (200) of the vehicle (400). The body (101) is further defined with a first tapered block (104a) and a second tapered block (104b). Each of the first tapered block (104a) and the second tapered block (104b) extend away from the contact area (102) and are oriented opposite to each other. The first tapered block (104a) and the second tapered block (104b) extend along a longitudinal direction of the damping member (100). The first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b) are defined with a diameter gradually decreasing from the contact area (102) towards either ends (105a, 105b) of the first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b). The ends (105a, 105b) of the first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b) are defined with a minor diameter (d). In an embodiment, the body (101) is defined with a flat profile (109) extending from the

contact area (102) along a portion of the first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b). The flat profile (109) is configured to restrict rotational movement of the damping member (100) about the outer race (210) of the bush assembly (200). The first tapered block (104a) is defined with a first provision (106a). The second tapered block (104b) is defined with a second provision (106b). The first provision (106a) and the second provision (106b) are defined through the body (101) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the damping member (100).
[025] Now referring to Fig. 2, a first resilient member (108a) is disposed in the first provision (106a) of the first tapered block (104a). A second resilient member (108b) is disposed in the second provision (106b) of the second tapered block (104b). The first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) are defined with a first end (110a) and a second end (110b) [interchangeably referred to as “the ends (110a, 110b)] respectively which extend beyond the first and second provisions (106a, 106b). The ends (110a, 110b) of the first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) may lie on a same plane (Y) in which the contact area is situated, such that the first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) are also in contact with the outer race (210) of the bush assembly (200). The first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) are configured to absorb vibrations transmitted to the first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b) during the movement of the vehicle (400) on uneven terrains having undulations. Subsequently, the first and second resilient members prevent the transfer of vibrations to the outer race (210) of the bush assembly (200).
[026] Referring to Fig. 3, an exploded perspective view of the bush assembly (200) for a pitman arm (300) of the vehicle (400) is disclosed in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. The bush assembly (200) is positioned within an aperture of the pitman arm (300). The bush assembly (200) comprises an outer race (210) to engage with a first aperture (306) defined in the pitman arm (300) along an axis (C-C). The outer race (210) is a cylindrical structure having opposite open ends and defined with a first outer diameter (D1) and an inner surface (210a) with an inner diameter (d1). The inner surface (210a) of the outer race (210) is circumferentially defined with at least two grooves (215) spaced apart from each other to receive a retainer rings (206) (as shown in Figs. 5a and 5b). Further, a plurality of slits (218) extend from each of the at least two grooves (215) at a predefined locations along an axial direction of the outer race (210). An inner race (212) is concentrically disposed within the outer race (210) and defined with an outer surface (212a) having a second outer diameter (D2). The second outer diameter (D2) of the inner race (212) is smaller than the first outer diameter (D1). The inner race (212) rotates in tandem with the

outer race (210). The inner race (212) is configured to engage with a shaft (513) connected to a drag link (510) associated with a steering mechanism (500) (as shown in Fig 10) of the vehicle (400). An intermediate casing (214) is sandwiched between the outer race (210) and the inner race (212). The intermediate casing (214) is defined with a third outer diameter (D3) matching with the inner diameter (D1) of the outer race (210) to snugly fit the intermediate casing (214) between the outer race (210) and the inner race (212). The inner race (212) is configured to transfer load from the shaft (513) to the outer race (210) of the bush assembly (200) through the intermediate casing (214) during movement of the vehicle (400).
[027] Referring to Figs. 4 to 7, the intermediate casing (214) is circumferentially defined with a plurality of slots (216) extending in the axial direction of the intermediate casing (214) to receive a plurality of damping members (100). The plurality of damping members (100) are snugly fitted within the plurality of slots (216). The plurality of damping members (100) are arranged within the bush assembly (200) in a space (207) defined between the outer race (210) and the inner race (212) (as shown in Fig.7).
[028] Each damping member (100) comprises a contact area (102) provided on a central axis [A-A] defined perpendicular to the axial direction of the bush assembly (200). The damping member (100) further comprises the first tapered block (104a) and the second tapered block (104b) extending away from the contact area (102) and are oriented opposite to each other. The first tapered block (104a) and the second tapered block (104b) extend along a longitudinal direction of the damping member (100). The first tapered block (104a) is defined with a first provision (106a). The second tapered block (104b) is defined with a second provision (106b). The first resilient member (108a) is disposed in the first provision (106a) and the second resilient member (108b) is disposed in the second provision (106b). The ends (110a, 110b) of the first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) extend beyond the first and second provisions (106a, 106b). The contact area (102) along with the first and resilient members (108a, 108b) are in continuous line contact with the inner surface (210a) of the outer race (210) and the outer surface (212a) of the inner race (212). The first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b) of the damping member (100) oscillates within the space upon the transmission of vibrations in the shaft (513).
[029] The intermediate casing (214) is further defined with a plurality of protrusions (220) extending from sides of the intermediate casing (214). The plurality of protrusions (220) engage with the plurality of slits (218) of the outer race (210) to secure the intermediate casing (214) between the outer race (210) and the inner race (212). Each damping member (100) of

the plurality of damping members (100) is configured to contact the outer surface (212a) of the inner race (212) and the inner surface (210a) of the outer race (210) at various positions along the inner circumference of the bush assembly (200). The first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) of each damping member (100) is configured to absorb vibrations of the first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b) and prevents the vibrations of the shaft (513) from being transferred from the inner race (212) to the outer race (210) of the bush assembly (200). Consequently, this allows precise load transfer from the shaft (513) to the pitman arm (300) through the bush assembly (200).
[030] Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, a perspective view and a sectional view of the pitman arm (300) is disclosed. The pitman arm (300) is pivotally connected to one end the drag link (510) of the steering mechanism (500). The pitman arm (300) is configured to linearly displace the drag link (510). The pitman arm (300) comprises a stem portion (303) defined with a first aperture (306) at a first end (301) and a second aperture (302) at a second end (301) of the stem portion (303). The first and second apertures (306, 302) are defined at opposite ends of the pitman arm (300). The first aperture (306) is configured to receive a ball joint (508) connected to the drag link (510) of the steering mechanism (500). The second aperture (302) is connected to an output shaft of a steering gearbox (514). The steering gearbox (514) is further connected to a steering column (504) which is rotatably coupled to a steering wheel (506) of the vehicle (400). The bush assembly (200) is disposed within the first aperture (306) and the shaft (513) is connected to the drag link (510) by the ball joint (as shown in Fig. 9). The bush assembly (200) is configured to transfer load from the shaft (513) to the pitman arm (300) such that the plurality of damping members (100) are configured to absorb vibrations from the drag link (510) and prevents the transfer of vibrations to the pitman arm (300).
[031] Referring to Fig. 10, a side view of the vehicle (400) is disclosed. The vehicle (400) comprises a chassis (402). A steering mechanism (500) is connected to a front portion of the chassis (402). The steering mechanism (500) comprises a steering wheel (506) positioned in a cabin of the vehicle (400). A steering column (504) is connected to the steering wheel (506) at one end and another end of the steering column (504) is connected to the steering gearbox (514). The steering gear box (514) is further connected to the pitman arm (300). The steering column (504) is rotated about its axis upon operation of the steering wheel (506) in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. The steering column (504) is connected to the steering gear box (514). The steering gearbox (514) may include a gear train (not shown in Figs.) to amplify and convert the rotary motion of the steering column (504) to a pivoting movement of the pitman

arm (300). This pivoting movement of the pitman arm (300) effects the linear displacement of the drag link (510).
[032] The drag link (510) is connected to a steering arm (505) which is coupled to the wheels (front wheels) (410) of the vehicle (400). The steering arm (505) is configured to angularly displace the wheels (410) of the vehicle (400) corresponding to the operation of the steering wheel (506). This causes the vehicle (400) to move in a particular direction by controlling the movement of the steering wheel (506). The pitman arm (300) is further provided with the bush assembly (200) having the plurality of damping members (100) which are in continuous line contact with the outer race (210) and the inner race (212). The plurality of damping members (100) are configured to damp the vibrations transmitted from the wheels (410) of the vehicle (400) and prevent the vibrations to transmit to the outer race (210) of the bush assembly (200). Consequently, these vibrations are restricted to the first end (307) of the pitman arm (300) itself to achieve uniform load transfer to the pitman arm (300) from the steering gearbox (514) and vice-versa.
[033] The operative configuration of the bush assembly (200) having the damping member (100) and arranged within the pitman arm (300) of the steering mechanism (500) of the vehicle (400) is now explained with reference to Fig. 10. Initially, the bush assembly (200) is disposed within the first aperture (306) of the pitman arm (300). Upon operation of the steering wheel (506), the motion is transferred to the steering gearbox (514) through the steering column (504). The steering gearbox (514) applies a predetermined load on the pitman arm (300) to pivot the pitman arm (300) which in turn displaces the drag link (510) linearly. The drag link (510) further displaces the steering arm (505) to tilt the wheels (410) of the vehicle (400) for controlling the direction of movement of the vehicle (400). During the movement of the vehicle (400) on uneven terrains, the wheels (410) may be subjected to vibrations which are transferred to the pitman arm (300) through the drag link (510). The plurality of damping members (100) in the bush assembly (200) positioned within the pitman arm (300) absorbs the vibrations. The shaft (513) arranged in the first aperture (306) of the pitman arm (300) transfers the vibrations to the inner race (212) of the bush assembly (200). The contact area (102), being in continuous contact with the outer surface (212a) of the inner race (212) distribute the vibrations along a length of the first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b). The first and second tapered blocks (104, 104b) oscillate within the space of the plurality of slots (216) of the intermediate casing (214). This oscillation movement of the first and second tapered blocks (104, 104b) is restricted by the first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) by resilient property of the first and

second resilient members (108a, 108b). In other words, the first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) expand and contract due to the oscillating movement of the first and second tapered blocks (104, 104b), while being in continuous contact with the inner race (212) and the outer race (210). Consequently, this dissipates the energy (or) vibrations and prevents them from getting transmitted to the outer race (210) of the bush assembly (200). The vibrations are restrained within the bush assembly (200) and prevented from reaching the outer race (210) of the bush assembly (200) and subsequently to the stem portion (303) of the pitman arm (300) (as shown in Fig, 7). This configuration of the bush assembly (200) with the damping member (100) facilitates uniform load transfer from the steering wheel (506) to the pitman arm (300) to effect efficient steering of the vehicle (400).
In an embodiment, the bush assembly (200) of the present disclosure may be arranged between the steering wheel (506) and the steering column (504) to further reduce overall vibrations in the steering mechanism (500) while allowing uniform load transfer throughout the steering mechanism (500).
[034] In an embodiment, the first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b) may be defined with a plurality of provisions for accommodating plurality of resilient members depending on the requirement for absorbing the vibrations transferred to the inner race (212) of the bush assembly (200).
[035] In an embodiment, the maximum diameter (D) of the contact area (102) and the minor diameter (d) of the ends of the first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b) may be varied based on the magnitude of the required frequency of absorption (or) attenuation of vibrations and type of the vehicle (400).
[036] The bush assembly (200) of the present disclosure includes few components and is simple in configuration.
[037] The bush assembly (200) of the present disclosure enables uniform load transfer from the shaft (513) to the outer race (210) of the bush assembly (200) irrespective of the vibrations subjected on the shaft (513) during movement of the vehicle (400).
[038] The bush assembly (200) of the present disclosure may be installed in any range of vehicles such as passenger or commercial vehicles (400) for attenuating the vibrations transmitted to the steering mechanism (200) of the vehicle (400).

[039] The bush assembly (200) of the present disclosure minimizes vibrations due to the arrangement of the plurality of damping members (100). Advantageously, this minimizes wear in the components of the pitman arm (300) and the shaft (513) thereby increases life of the components of the steering mechanism (500). Consequently, this eliminates the need of frequent replacement of the components of the steering mechanism (500) thereby significantly reducing the maintenance costs of the vehicle (400).
[040] The bush assembly (200) of the present disclosure enables efficient steering of the vehicle (400) without compromising safety of the passengers during the movement of vehicle (400) in uneven or off-roading conditions.
[041] It is to be understood that a person of ordinary skill in the art may develop a device or assembly similar configuration without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Equivalents:
[042] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
[043] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the

introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
Referral Numerals:

Damping member 100
Bush assembly 200
Pitman arm 300

Vehicle 400
Body 101
Contact area 102
First tapered block 104a
Second tapered block 104b
First end 105a
Second end 105b
First provision 106a
Second provision 106b
First resilient member 108a
Second resilient member 108b
Flat profile 109
Ends of first and second resilient members 110a, 110b
Retaining rings 206
Space 207
Outer race 210
Inner surface of the outer race 210a
Inner race 212
Outer surface of the inner race 212a
Intermediate casing 214
At least two grooves 215
A plurality of slots 216
A plurality of slits 218
A plurality of protrusions 220
First end of pitman arm 301
Second aperture 302
Stem portion 303
15

First aperture 306
Second end 307
Chassis 402
Wheels 410
Steering mechanism 500
Steering column 504
Steering arm 505
Steering wheel 506
Ball joint 508
Shaft 513
Steering gearbox 514

We claim:
1. A damping member (100) for a bush assembly (200) of a vehicle (400), the damping
member (100) comprising:
a body (101) comprising:
a contact area (102) provided on a central axis [A-A] of the body (101), wherein the contact area (102) is to maintain a contact with an outer race (210) of the bush assembly (200) of the vehicle (400);
a first tapered block (104a) defined with a first provision (106a);
a second tapered block (104b) defined with a second provision (106b), wherein the first tapered block (104a) and the second tapered block (104b) extend away from one another on either sides of the contact area (102); and
a first resilient member (108a) disposed in the first provision (106a) and a second resilient member (108b) disposed in the second provision (106b), wherein the first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) are configured to absorb vibrations of the first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b) and prevent the vibrations from getting transferred to the outer race (210) of the bush assembly (200).
2. The damping member (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b) extend along a longitudinal direction of the damping member (100).
3. The damping member (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) with its ends (110a, 110b) extend from the first and second provisions (106a, 106b) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the damping member (100).
4. The damping member (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the contact area (102), and the ends (110a, 110b) of the first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) are on a same plane (Y).
5. The damping member (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b) are defined with a diameter gradually decreasing from the contact area (102) towards either ends (105a, 105b) of the first and second tapered blocks (104a, 104b).

6. A bush assembly (200) of a pitman arm (300) of a vehicle, the bush assembly (200)
comprising:
an outer race (210) to engage with a first aperture (306) defined in the pitman arm (300);
an inner race (212) concentrically disposed within the outer race (210), the inner race (212) is to engage with a shaft (513) connected to a drag link (510) of the vehicle (400);
an intermediate casing (214) secured between the outer race (210) and the inner race (212), wherein the intermediate casing (214) is circumferentially defined with a plurality of slots (216) to receive a plurality of damping members (100), wherein each damping member (100) comprises:
a contact area (102) provided on a central axis [A-A] of the damping member (100);
a first tapered block (104a) defined with a first provision (106a); a second tapered block (104b) defined with a second provision (106b), wherein the first tapered block (104a) and the second tapered block (104b) extend away from one another on either sides of the contact area (102);
a first resilient member (108a) disposed in the first provision (106a) and a second resilient member (108b) disposed in the second provision (106b), wherein the first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) are configured to contact an inner surface (210a) of the outer race (210) and an outer surface (212a) of the inner race (212) respectively; and
wherein the first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) are configured to absorb vibrations from the inner race (212) and inhibit transfer of vibrations to the outer race (210).
7. The bush assembly (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the contact area (102) is in
continuous line contact with the inner surface (210a) of the outer race (210) and the
outer surface (212a) of the inner race (212).

8. The bush assembly (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of slots (216) extends in an axial direction of the intermediate casing (214) along an axis (C-C).
9. A vehicle (400) comprising:
a steering wheel (506);
a steering column (504) connected to the steering wheel (506);
a drag link (510) connecting the steering column (504) to wheels (410) of the
vehicle (400);
a pitman arm (300) connecting the steering column (504) with the drag link
(510) and comprising:
a first aperture (306) to receive a ball joint (508) connected to the drag
link (510) of the steering mechanism (500);
a bush assembly (200) disposed between the first aperture (306) and the
ball joint (508), the bush assembly (200) comprising a plurality of damping
members (100) radially disposed in an intermediate casing (214), between an
outer race (210) and an inner race (212) of the bush assembly (200), wherein
each damping member (100) comprises:
a contact area (102) provided on a central axis [A-A] of the damping member (100), wherein the contact area (102) is to contact an inner surface (210a) of the outer race (210) and an outer surface (212a) of the inner race (212) of the bush assembly (200);
a first tapered block (104a) defined with a first provision (106a);
a second tapered block (104b) defined with a second provision (106b), wherein the first tapered block (104a) and the second tapered block (104b) extend away from one another on either sides of the contact area (102);
a first resilient member (108a) disposed in the first provision (106a) and a second resilient member (108b) disposed in the second provision (106b), wherein the first and second resilient members (108a, 108b) are configured to absorb vibrations from the drag link (510) and inhibit transfer of vibrations to the pitman arm (300).