Steering column with rotary tilt mechanism and method of installation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An articulated, tiltable steering column for a steering wheel, the column comprising:
- an upper steering wheel column member;
a lower stationary steering column member;
a pivot connection between the upper and lower column members allowing the steering wheel to be tiltably adjusted about the pivot connection to selected positions of adjustment;
a locking mechanism for retaining the upper and lower column members in selected positions of adjustment, the locking mechanism including a rod disposed between the upper and lower column members, the rod received by and slidable along a longitudinal axis within a sleeve, the rod and sleeve including a passage formed therein for receiving a shaft;
a collar journalled around the sleeve and including diametrically opposed bores for receiving the shaft; and
a biasing member secured at a first end to a mounting portion extending from the sleeve and secured at a second end by the collar, the biasing member providing a rotational bias on the sleeve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An articulated, tiltable steering column and method for installing the same is provided. The steering column includes a locking mechanism for retaining upper and lower column members in selected positions of adjustment. The locking mechanism includes a rod received by and slidable along a longitudinal axis within a sleeve. A collar is journalled around the sleeve and includes diametrically opposed bores for receiving the shaft. A biasing member is secured on a first end to a mounting portion extending from the sleeve and is secured on a second end by the collar.
13 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An articulated, tiltable steering column for a steering wheel, the column comprising:
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an upper steering wheel column member;
a lower stationary steering column member;
a pivot connection between the upper and lower column members allowing the steering wheel to be tiltably adjusted about the pivot connection to selected positions of adjustment;
a locking mechanism for retaining the upper and lower column members in selected positions of adjustment, the locking mechanism including a rod disposed between the upper and lower column members, the rod received by and slidable along a longitudinal axis within a sleeve, the rod and sleeve including a passage formed therein for receiving a shaft;
a collar journalled around the sleeve and including diametrically opposed bores for receiving the shaft; and
a biasing member secured at a first end to a mounting portion extending from the sleeve and secured at a second end by the collar, the biasing member providing a rotational bias on the sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An articulated, tiltable steering column for a steering wheel, the column comprising:
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an upper steering wheel column member;
a lower stationary steering column member;
a pivot connection between the upper and lower column members allowing the steering wheel to be tiltably adjusted about the pivot connection to selected positions of adjustment;
a locking mechanism for retaining the column members in selected positions of adjustment, the locking mechanism including;
a sleeve including opposing slots, arranged so as to equally align and form a continuous passage therethrough;
a rod disposed between the column members, and received by and slidable along a longitudinal axis within the sleeve, the rod including a longitudinal slot formed therein; and
a pivot shaft extending through the continuous passage of the sleeve and the longitudinal slot of the rod, the pivot shaft limiting axial movement of the rod within the shaft by the longitudinal slot and limiting rotational movement of the rod within the sleeve by the opposing slots. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of installing a rotary tilt mechanism in a motor vehicle, the rotary tilt mechanism having a rod disposed within and selectively translatable along a longitudinal axis within a sleeve, the sleeve rotatably biased around the rod by a biasing member, the tilt mechanism further including a first mounting shaft coupled to an upper steering wheel column member and a second mounting shaft coupled to a lower steering wheel column member, the method comprising the steps of;
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sliding a collar along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve to a predetermined location;
engaging the collar to a first end of the biasing member;
creating a mounting passage by rotating the collar in a direction of increased bias to a location aligning passages incorporated in the collar with passages incorporated on the sleeve and the rod;
advancing a locking element along the sleeve to a position precluding rotation of the collar; and
inserting one of the first and second mounting shafts through the mounting passage. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of installing a rotary tilt mechanism in a motor vehicle, the rotary tilt mechanism having a rod disposed within and selectively translatable along a longitudinal axis within a sleeve, the sleeve rotatably biased around the rod by a biasing member, the tilt mechanism further including a first mounting shaft coupled to an upper steering wheel column member and a second mounting shaft coupled to a lower steering wheel column member, the method comprising the steps of;
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positioning a collar into engagement with a first end of the biasing member;
rotating the collar in a direction of increased bias;
positioning a locking element adjacent to the collar allowing alignment of passages incorporated on the rod, sleeve and collar to form a common mounting passage; and
admitting one of the first and second mounting shafts through the mounting passage. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification