Dual pivot steering column
First Claim
1. A rotatable, torque transmitting drive assembly for an automotive vehicle steering column comprising:
- an input shaft;
means connected to and rotatable with said input shaft for transferring rotational movement of said input shaft to an output shaft to effect movement of steerable vehicle wheels of a vehicle, said transfer means being pivotable relative to a vehicle frame into a plurality of pivot positions to position a steering wheel connectable with said input shaft relative to an occupant of the vehicle, said input shaft being pivotable relative to said transfer means into a plurality of pivot positions, said input shaft having a plurality of pivot positions for each one of said plurality of pivot positions of said transfer means to further position the steering wheel relative to an occupant of the vehicle; and
a locking mechanism for locking said transfer means in any one of the plurality of pivot positions relative to the vehicle frame and for locking said input shaft in any one of the plurality of pivot positions relative to said transfer means.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A steering column for the steering system of an automotive vehicle has a first steering column member axially movable relative to a second steering column member. The second steering column member is pivotable relative to a vehicle frame. An input shaft connectable with a steering wheel is pivotable relative to the first steering column member. A first tilt locking means locks the second steering column member in a pivot position relative to the vehicle frame. A second tilt locking means locks the input shaft in a pivot position relative to the first steering column member. A telescope locking means locks the first steering column member in an axial position relative to the second steering column member. A locking member has a first position in which the first and second tilt locking means and the telescope locking means are locked. The locking member has a second position in which the first tilt locking means and the telescope locking means are locked and the second tilt locking means is unlocked. The locking member also has a third position in which the first tilt locking means and the telescope locking means are unlocked and the second tilt locking means is locked.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A rotatable, torque transmitting drive assembly for an automotive vehicle steering column comprising:
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an input shaft; means connected to and rotatable with said input shaft for transferring rotational movement of said input shaft to an output shaft to effect movement of steerable vehicle wheels of a vehicle, said transfer means being pivotable relative to a vehicle frame into a plurality of pivot positions to position a steering wheel connectable with said input shaft relative to an occupant of the vehicle, said input shaft being pivotable relative to said transfer means into a plurality of pivot positions, said input shaft having a plurality of pivot positions for each one of said plurality of pivot positions of said transfer means to further position the steering wheel relative to an occupant of the vehicle; and a locking mechanism for locking said transfer means in any one of the plurality of pivot positions relative to the vehicle frame and for locking said input shaft in any one of the plurality of pivot positions relative to said transfer means. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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2. A rotatable, torque transmitting drive assembly for an automotive vehicle steering column comprising:
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an input shaft; means connected to and rotatable with said input shaft for transferring rotational movement of said input shaft to an output shaft to effect movement of steerable wheels of a vehicle, said input shaft being pivotable relative to said transfer means to position a steering wheel connectable with said input shaft relative to an occupant of the vehicle, said transfer means being pivotable relative to a vehicle frame to further position the steering wheel relative to an occupant of the vehicle; said transfer means comprising first and second steering column members axially movable relative to each other, said input shaft being pivotable relative to said first steering column member, said second steering column member being pivotable relative to the vehicle frame; and a locking mechanism for locking said transfer means in any one of a plurality of pivot positions relative to the vehicle frame and for locking said input shaft in any one of a plurality of pivot positions relative to said transfer means. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A rotatable, torque transmitting drive assembly for an automotive vehicle steering column comprising:
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an input shaft; means connected to and rotatable with said input shaft for transferring rotational movement of said input shaft to an output shaft to effect movement of steerable wheels of a vehicle, said input shaft being pivotable relative to said transfer means to position a steering wheel connectable with said input shaft relative to an occupant of the vehicle, said transfer means being pivotable relative to a vehicle frame to further position the steering wheel relative to an occupant of the vehicle; a locking mechanism for locking said transfer means in any one of a plurality of pivot positions relative to the vehicle frame and for locking said input shaft in any one of a plurality of pivot positions relative to said transfer means; said locking mechanism including a locking member, said locking member having a first position preventing said transfer means from pivoting relative to the vehicle frame and preventing said input shaft from pivoting relative to said transfer means, a second position allowing said input shaft to pivot relative to said transfer means and preventing said transfer means from pivoting relative to the vehicle frame, and a third position allowing said transfer means to pivot relative to the vehicle frame and preventing said input shaft from pivoting relative to said transfer means.
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9. A steering column comprising:
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first and second coaxial steering column members, said first steering column member being axially movable relative to said second steering column member, said second steering column member being pivotable relative to a vehicle frame about a first axis extending transverse to the direction of relative axial movement between said first and second steering column members; an input shaft connectable with a steering wheel and supported on said first steering column member for pivotal movement relative to said first steering column member about a second axis extending transverse to the direction of relative axial movement between said first and second steering column members; a first tilt locking means for locking said second steering column member in a pivot position relative to the vehicle frame; a second tilt locking means for locking said input shaft in a pivot position relative to said first steering column member; a telescope locking means for locking said first steering column member in an axial position relative to said second steering column member; and a locking member movable to unlock said first and second tilt locking means and said telescope locking means, said locking member having a first position in which said first and second tilt locking means and said telescope locking means are locked. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification