Raking gage cluster mount
First Claim
1. A steering column assembly for supporting a steering wheel in a vehicle comprising:
- a steering column having a first end and a longitudinal axis and being disposable in a vehicle for raking movement about said first end and collapsing movement at least partially along said longitudinal axis;
a collar engaged with said steering column to move with said steering column at least during said raking movement; and
a support bracket for supporting at least one gage of the vehicle and releasibly engaged with said collar such that said support bracket separates from said collar in response to said collapsing movement.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a steering column assembly for supporting a steering wheel in a vehicle. The steering column assembly includes a steering column having a first end and a longitudinal axis. The steering column assembly is disposable in the vehicle for raking movement about the first end and for collapsing movement along the longitudinal axis. The steering column assembly also includes a collar engaged with the steering column to move with the steering column at least during the raking movement. The steering column assembly also includes a support bracket for supporting at least one gage of the vehicle. The support bracket is releasibly engaged with the collar such that the support bracket separates from the collar in response to the collapsing movement.
7 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A steering column assembly for supporting a steering wheel in a vehicle comprising:
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a steering column having a first end and a longitudinal axis and being disposable in a vehicle for raking movement about said first end and collapsing movement at least partially along said longitudinal axis;
a collar engaged with said steering column to move with said steering column at least during said raking movement; and
a support bracket for supporting at least one gage of the vehicle and releasibly engaged with said collar such that said support bracket separates from said collar in response to said collapsing movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for supporting a steering wheel in a vehicle comprising the steps of:
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disposing a steering column having a first end and a longitudinal axis in a vehicle for raking movement about the first end and for collapsing movement along said longitudinal axis;
engaging a collar with the steering column to move with the steering column at least during the raking movement; and
releasibly engaging a support bracket for supporting at least one gage of the vehicle with the collar such that said support bracket separates from said collar in response to the collapsing movement. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A steering column assembly for supporting a steering wheel in a vehicle comprising:
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a steering column having a first end and a longitudinal axis and being disposable in a vehicle for raking movement about said first end and collapsing movement along said longitudinal axis wherein said steering column includes a first steering column member defining said first end and a second steering column member disposed for telescoping movement relative to said first steering column member along said longitudinal axis and for said raking movement with said first steering column member, and wherein at least said second steering column member is moveable in collapsing movement along said longitudinal axis;
a collar engaged with said steering column to move with said steering column at least during said raking movement and being slidable relative to said steering column, wherein said collar aperture encircles said second steering column member and is slidable relative to said second steering column member during said telescoping movement, and wherein said collar further comprises at least one connecting aperture spaced from said collar aperture;
a support bracket for supporting at least one gage of the vehicle and releasibly engaged with said collar such that said support bracket separates from said collar in response to said collapsing movement, wherein said support bracket releases from said collar in response to said collapsing movement, wherein said support bracket includes first and second arcuate slots radially centered on said first end, and wherein said support bracket further comprises at least one connecting slot aligned with said at least one connecting aperture of said collar;
at least one bolt extending through said at least one connecting aperture of said collar and said at least one slot of said support bracket;
a mounting bracket operable to be fixedly mounted to the vehicle wherein said support bracket is slidably engaged with said mounting bracket, wherein said mounting bracket includes first and second apertures and at least one guide aperture;
a pin extending through said first and second apertures of said mounting bracket and said first and second slots of said support bracket to guide movement of said support bracket during said raking movement of said steering column;
a rake bracket slidably engaged with said collar and having third and fourth arcuate slots centered on said first end for guiding movement of said collar during said raking movement of said steering column; and
at least one elongate member fixedly engaged with said rake bracket and slidably received in said at least one guide aperture of said mounting bracket for guiding movement of said rake bracket relative to said mounting bracket during said collapsing movement.
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Specification