Telescopic steering apparatus for vehicles

• US 4,463,625 A
• Filed: 03/04/1982
• Issued: 08/07/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Nishikawa, Masumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Herrmann, Allan D.
• Application Number:
  US06/354,771
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• Field of Search: 74/493, 74/540, 280/279, 280/775, 403/374, 411/79
• US Class Current: 74/493
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/184 Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/185 adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically B62D1/183, B62D1/187, B62D1/19 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/105 locking in discrete positions, e.g. in extreme extended position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7069 Axially oriented
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20714 Lever carried rack

Abstract

A telescopic steering apparatus for vehicles includes a locking member movable substantially axially relative to a main shaft, a holder member disposed about the locking member and the main shaft and an operating lever. The main shaft has a tapered end portion engageable with a tapered end portion of the locking member. Both the main shaft and the locking member are provided with projecting portions on their outer peripheries which are engageable with portions of the holder member and the projecting portions of the locking member and the holder member include toothed portions which, when engaged, lock against telescoping of the steering apparatus through displacement of the main shaft.

Claims

1. A telescopic steering apparatus for vehicles, comprising:

a main shaft having a tapered end portion and a projecting portion on an outer periphery thereof;

a locking rod inserted through said main shaft;

a locking member movable substantially axially according to the rotation of said locking rod relative to said main shaft and provided with a tapered end portion engageable with said tapered end portion of said main shaft and a projecting portion on the outer periphery thereof, said projecting portion having a toothed face;

a holder member provided with a toothed portion engageable with said toothed face of said locking member;

an outer shaft integrally receiving said holder member therein; and

an operating lever for releasing the engagement of said tapered portions of said main shaft and said locking member, and the engagement of said toothed face of said locking member and said toothed portion of said holder.

2. A telescopic steering apparatus for vehicles as set forth in claim 1, wherein said operating lever is fixed to said locking rod.

3. A telescopic steering apparatus for vehicles as set forth in claim 1, wherein said locking rod is threadably engaged at one end thereof with one end of said main shaft.

4. A telescopic stearing apparatus for vehicles as set forth in claim 1, wherein said holder member is fixed to an inner periphery of said outer shaft and includes first and second holders.

5. A telescopic steering apparatus for vehicles as set forth in claim 4, wherein said main shaft is axially slidably disposed within said first and second holders.

6. A telescopic steering apparatus for vehicles as set forth in claim 4, wherein said locking member is slidably disposed within said first and second holders.