Adjustable steering column assembly
First Claim
1. A steering column assembly for use with a vehicle, comprising:
- a steering shaft;
a bracket comprising a base and a first arm extending from the base;
the base being configured to be anchored to a chassis of the vehicle;
the first arm having an adjustment slot;
the first arm having upper and lower brakes separated from one another by empty space;
a jacket rotatably supporting the steering shaft;
the jacket having an inner portion, an outer portion, and a locking assembly for maintaining the jacket in various respective positions relative to the bracket;
the outer portion having an axle passage positioned between the inner portion and the bracket base;
the locking assembly having a shaft passing through the axle passage and the adjustment slot of the first arm; and
a stop located along the jacket adjacent the first arm in the empty space between the upper and lower brakes;
the stop being located away from the adjustment slot of the first arm;
the stop having a main body, an upper leaf spring extending above the main body, and a lower leaf spring extending below the main body.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One steering column assembly for use with a vehicle includes a steering shaft; a bracket having a base and an arm; a jacket supporting the steering shaft and having a locking assembly; and a stop. The arm has an adjustment slot and upper and lower brakes separated from one another by empty space. The jacket has an axle passage, and the locking assembly has a shaft passing through the axle passage and the adjustment slot. The stop is located along the jacket adjacent the arm in the empty space, such that the stop contacts the upper and lower brakes before the shaft reaches upper and lower ends of the adjustment slot. The stop has a main body with passenger-facing and forward-facing ends, an upper leaf spring extending above the main body, and a lower leaf spring extending below the main body.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A steering column assembly for use with a vehicle, comprising:
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a steering shaft; a bracket comprising a base and a first arm extending from the base;
the base being configured to be anchored to a chassis of the vehicle;
the first arm having an adjustment slot;
the first arm having upper and lower brakes separated from one another by empty space;a jacket rotatably supporting the steering shaft;
the jacket having an inner portion, an outer portion, and a locking assembly for maintaining the jacket in various respective positions relative to the bracket;
the outer portion having an axle passage positioned between the inner portion and the bracket base;
the locking assembly having a shaft passing through the axle passage and the adjustment slot of the first arm; anda stop located along the jacket adjacent the first arm in the empty space between the upper and lower brakes;
the stop being located away from the adjustment slot of the first arm;
the stop having a main body, an upper leaf spring extending above the main body, and a lower leaf spring extending below the main body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A steering column assembly for use with a vehicle, comprising:
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a steering shaft; a bracket comprising a base and a first arm extending from the base;
the base being configured to be anchored to a chassis of the vehicle;
the first arm having an adjustment slot and upper and lower brakes separated from one another by empty space;a jacket rotatably supporting the steering shaft;
the jacket having an inner portion, an outer portion, and a locking assembly for maintaining the jacket in various respective positions relative to the bracket;
the outer portion having an axle passage positioned between the inner portion and the bracket base;
the locking assembly having a shaft passing through the axle passage and the adjustment slot of the first arm; anda stop located along the jacket adjacent the first arm in the empty space between the upper and lower brakes;
the stop having a main body with a first end and a second end, an upper leaf spring extending above the main body, and a lower leaf spring extending below the main body;
the upper leaf spring extending from the first end toward the second end;
the lower leaf spring extending from the first end toward the second end;wherein the stop is located such that the stop contacts the upper brake before the shaft reaches an upper end of the adjustment slot when the jacket is moved upwardly relative to the bracket; and wherein the stop is located such that the stop contacts the lower brake before the shaft reaches a lower end of the adjustment slot when the jacket is moved downwardly relative to the bracket. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification