Retractable steering column with a radially projecting attachment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A driver interface for a vehicle, the driver interface comprising:
- a steering column assembly including a column constructed and arranged to move between a retracted state and an outward extended state and an attachment projecting outward from the column; and
a structural feature defining an alcove for receipt of the attachment when the steering column is in the retracted state, wherein the steering column moves axially along a centerline and the attachment projects radially outward from the steering column, and the attachment is a turn signal lever arm.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A driver interface for a vehicle includes a steering column assembly and a structural facial. The steering column assembly includes a column constructed and arranged to move between a retracted state and an extended state, and an attachment projecting outward from the column. The structural facial defines an alcove for receipt of the attachment when the steering column is in the retracted state.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A driver interface for a vehicle, the driver interface comprising:
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a steering column assembly including a column constructed and arranged to move between a retracted state and an outward extended state and an attachment projecting outward from the column; and a structural feature defining an alcove for receipt of the attachment when the steering column is in the retracted state, wherein the steering column moves axially along a centerline and the attachment projects radially outward from the steering column, and the attachment is a turn signal lever arm.
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2. A driver interface for a vehicle, the driver interface comprising:
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a steering column assembly including a column constructed and arranged to move between a retracted state and an outward extended state and an attachment projecting outward from the column; and a structural feature defining an alcove for receipt of the attachment when the steering column is in the retracted state, wherein the steering column moves axially along a centerline and the attachment projects radially outward from the steering column, and the alcove is open in an axial outward direction and a radial inward direction for receipt of the attachment when the steering column moves from the extended state to the retracted state.
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3. A driver interface for a vehicle, the driver interface comprising:
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a steering column assembly including a column constructed and arranged to move between a retracted state and an outward extended state and an attachment projecting outward from the column; and a structural feature defining an alcove for receipt of the attachment when the steering column is in the retracted state, wherein the steering column moves axially along a centerline and the attachment projects radially outward from the steering column, the attachment is constructed and arranged to move between at least a neutral position and a first position, and the structural feature is an instrument panel and includes a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that define the alcove, and wherein the perimeter wall is ramped for at least causing the attachment to move from the first position to the neutral position as the steering column moves from the extended state to the retracted state. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A driver interface for a vehicle, the driver interface comprising:
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a steering column assembly including a column constructed and arranged to move between a retracted state and an outward extended state and an attachment projecting outward from the column; and a structural feature defining an alcove for receipt of the attachment when the steering column is in the retracted state, wherein the steering column moves axially along a centerline and the attachment projects radially outward from the steering column, and the steering column assembly includes a steering wheel and the attachment is disposed axially between the structural feature and the steering wheel.
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7. An instrument panel for a driver interface of a vehicle that includes a steering column assembly having a steering column constructed and arranged to move axially along a centerline and between an extended state and a retracted state toward the instrument panel, and an attachment projecting radially outward from the steering column, the instrument panel comprising:
a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that define an alcove for receipt of the attachment when the steering column is in the retracted state. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of stowing a steering column assembly comprising:
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moving a steering column assembly from an extended state to a retracted state; and inserting an attachment projecting outward from a column of the steering column assembly into an alcove defined by an instrument panel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification