Low pivot tilt steering column clamping mechanism
First Claim
1. A locking device releasably locking a tilt steering column of an automotive vehicle in adjusted position, comprising a bracket adjacent to said column and fixed with respect to the automotive vehicle, a pin connected to a swinging portion of said column and movable along said bracket, a first clamping ring on said pin operably engaging said bracket and held against rotation relative to said bracket, a second clamping ring on said pin rotatable with respect to said first clamping ring, manually operable means for rotating said second ring in one direction to a clamping position and in the opposite direction to a release position, coacting means on said first and second clamping rings operable in response to rotation of said second ring in said one direction to said clamping position to press said first clamping ring against said bracket with sufficient force to frictionally lock said steering column in adjusted position, and means for retaining said second ring in said clamping position with a resistance, the retaining means being able to be overcome by said manually operable means, said retaining means comprising an arm having one end fixed relative to said first clamping ring and having a retainer on the other end thereof, and a lug on said second ring engageable with said retainer upon rotation of said second ring in said one direction to said clamping position to resist reverse rotation of said second ring.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for locking a tilt steering column in adjusted position has two clamping rings, one of which is rotated by a handle. When the handle is rotated in one direction, the clamping rings interact to lock the steering column in adjusted position. When the handle is rotated in the opposite direction, the clamping rings release the steering column so that its position can be adjusted. A third ring is provided to releasably retain the locking rings in locked position.
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Citations
10 Claims
- 1. A locking device releasably locking a tilt steering column of an automotive vehicle in adjusted position, comprising a bracket adjacent to said column and fixed with respect to the automotive vehicle, a pin connected to a swinging portion of said column and movable along said bracket, a first clamping ring on said pin operably engaging said bracket and held against rotation relative to said bracket, a second clamping ring on said pin rotatable with respect to said first clamping ring, manually operable means for rotating said second ring in one direction to a clamping position and in the opposite direction to a release position, coacting means on said first and second clamping rings operable in response to rotation of said second ring in said one direction to said clamping position to press said first clamping ring against said bracket with sufficient force to frictionally lock said steering column in adjusted position, and means for retaining said second ring in said clamping position with a resistance, the retaining means being able to be overcome by said manually operable means, said retaining means comprising an arm having one end fixed relative to said first clamping ring and having a retainer on the other end thereof, and a lug on said second ring engageable with said retainer upon rotation of said second ring in said one direction to said clamping position to resist reverse rotation of said second ring.
Specification