Adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle

• US 5,722,299 A
• Filed: 06/29/1995
• Issued: 03/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fuji KIKO Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji KIKO Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Yoshimi, Eriksson, Gunnar, Kjellestrom, Niklas, Kurita, Haruhide
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonck, Rodney H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FENSTERMACHER, DAVID MORGAN
• Application Number:
  US08/496,289
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 74/493, 74/492, 74/491, 280/775, 280/777
• US Class Current: 74/493
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/184 Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions

Abstract

A tilting and/or telescopic steering column assembly includes a mounting bracket fixed to a vehicle body, a movable bracket supporting a steering column, a clamping bolt passing through bolt holes of the mounting bracket and movable bracket, and an operating lever for clamping the movable bracket immovable between the left and right side walls of the mounting bracket by turning a clamping nut on the clamping bolt. For tilting and/or telescopic adjustment, the bolt hole of at least one of the mounting and movable brackets is elongated, and fringed with a toothed portion. A lock member is mounted on the clamping bolt, and is formed with a toothed portion for engaging with the toothed portion of the elongate hole. In one practical example, the bolt holes are both elongated and fringed with a toothed portion, and the lock member comprises of a first member for engaging with the toothed portion of the mounting bracket and a second member for engaging with the toothed portion of the movable bracket.

Claims

1. A steering column assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a mounting clamp bracket member having an elongated tilt adjustment hole for allowing tilt adjustment of a steering column, and a tilt lock toothed portion, said mounting clamp bracket member including a clamp bracket comprising first and second side walls each having said elongated tilt adjustment hole, and said clamp bracket including a mounting portion adapted to be fixed to a vehicle body;

a movable column support member positioned between said first and second side walls of said clamp bracket, and having a supporting portion for supporting said steering column and a bolt hole;

a clamping bolt passing through said elongated tilt adjustment hole and said bolt hole;

a lever member having a pushing portion mounted on said clamping bolt for clamping said column support member to said mounting bracket member;

a tilt lock member mounted on said clamping bolt and having a tilt locking toothed portion for engaging with said tilt lock toothed portion of said mounting bracket member;

a resilient member positioned to bias said tilt lock member away from said mounting bracket member; and

a clamping nut mounted on said clamping bolt;

wherein said pushing portion of said lever member is formed with a cam surface for pushing said tilt lock member toward said mounting bracket member when said lever member is rotated in a predetermined direction,

wherein said tilt lock member comprises a lock plate formed with said toothed portion of said tilt lock member, said lock plate having a circular bolt hole for receiving said clamping bolt, said tilt lock member being mounted on said clamping bolt and axially movable between a lock position in which said toothed portion of said lock plate is engaged with said tilt lock toothed portion of said mounting bracket member, and an unlock position in which said toothed portion of said lock plate is disengaged from said tilt lock toothed portion of said mounting bracket member, and

wherein said pushing portion of said lever member is placed between said tilt lock member and said clamping nut mounted on said clamping bolt.

2. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said column support member is adapted to be fixed to said steering column.

3. A tilt steering column assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a mounting clamp bracket member having an elongated tilt adjustment hole for allowing tilt adjustment of a steering column, and a tilt lock toothed portion, said mounting clamp bracket member including a clamp bracket comprising first and second side walls each formed with said elongated tilt adjustment hole, and said clamp bracket including a mounting portion adapted to be fixed to a vehicle body;

a movable column support member positioned between said first and second walls of said clamp bracket, and having a supporting portion for supporting said steering column and a bolt hole;

a clamping bolt passing through said elongated tilt adjustment hole of said mounting bracket member and said bolt hole of said movable support member;

a lever member having a pushing portion mounted on said clamping bolt for clamping said movable support member to said mounting bracket member; and

a tilt lock member mounted on said clamping bolt, the lock member having a tilt locking toothed portion for engaging with said tilt lock toothed portion of said mounting bracket member when said movable support member is clamped to said mounting bracket member,

wherein said tilt lock member includes a cam portion and said lever member includes a cam portion, which is engaged with said cam portion of said tilt lock member at least when said movable support member is clamped to said mounting bracket member,

wherein said elongated tilt adjustment hole of said mounting bracket member is in a form of a slot, allowing said clamping bolt to move along a predetermined path along said slot, and

wherein said tilt lock member has a circular bolt hole for receiving said clamping bolt and substantially immobilizing said clamping bolt from moving relative to said tilt lock member when said lever member is rotated to a predetermined position.

4. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said column support member is adapted to be fixed to said steering column.

5. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 3,

wherein said pushing portion of said lever member comprises a clamping nut screwed on said clamping bolt, and formed with said cam portion of said lever member,

wherein said tilt lock member comprises a toothed tilt lock plate having said tilt locking toothed portion of said tilt lock member, and a cam plate for holding said tilt lock plate and rotating with said lever member, said tilt lock plate being loosely received in said elongated tilt adjustment hole of said mounting bracket member, and said cam plate being interposed between said tilt lock plate and said lever member, and formed with said cam portion defining a cam hole,

wherein said tilt lock toothed portion is formed in a side edge defining said elongated tilt adjustment hole formed in said first side wall, and said movable support member is clamped between said first and second walls of said clamp bracket when said clamping nut of said lever member is tightened on said clamping bolt, and

wherein said lever member comprises an operating lever having a lever end for turning said clamping nut.

6. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 5,

wherein said cam portion of said lever member includes a plurality of cam projections each having a cam surface, and said cam plate includes a plurality of tongues protruding radially inwardly in said cam hole, each having a cam surface for sliding on one of the cam surfaces of said lever member, said cam surfaces of said lever member and said cam plate being inclined so that one of said cam surfaces of said lever member slides on one of said cam surfaces of said cam plate and pushes said cam plate toward said mounting bracket member when said lever member is rotated in a predetermined tightening direction,

wherein said cam plate is loosely mounted on said clamping bolt, and said cam plate includes left and right flanges for holding and rotating said tilt lock plate while allowing said tilt lock plate to move up and down relative to said cam plate, and

wherein said tilt lock plate includes an elongated hole for receiving said clamping bolt and allowing said tilt lock plate to move up and down relative to said clamping bolt.

7. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 6,

wherein said bolt hole of said movable column support member is elongated for allowing telescopic adjustment of the steering column, and said column support member includes a telescopic lock toothed portion extending along the bolt hole of said column support member, and

wherein said steering column assembly further comprises a pin holder loosely mounted on said clamping bolt, a telescopic lock pin for engaging with said telescopic lock toothed portion of said column support member, and a resilient member disposed between said pin holder and said lever member.

8. A steering column assembly comprising:

an upper mounting clamp bracket member having a tilt adjustment hole, which is elongated to allow tilting adjustment of a steering column, and a tilt lock toothed portion, said upper mounting clamp bracket member comprising first and second side walls each formed with said elongated tilt adjustment hole and a mounting portion adapted to be fixed to a vehicle body;

a distance bracket member positioned between said first and second side walls of said upper mounting bracket clamp member and having a supporting portion for supporting said steering column, a telescopic adjustment hole, which is elongated to allow telescopic adjustment of said steering column, and a telescopic lock toothed portion;

a clamping bolt extending through said elongated tilt adjustment hole and said elongated telescopic adjustment hole;

an operating lever mounted on said clamping bolt for clamping said distance bracket member to said upper mounting clamp bracket member; and

a locking means mounted on said clamping bolt and having a tilt locking toothed portion for engaging with said tilt lock toothed portion of said upper clamp bracket member, and a telescopic locking toothed portion for engaging with said telescopic lock toothed portion of said distance bracket member.

9. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said column support member is adapted to be fixed to said steering column.

10. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said locking means includes a first bolt hole receiving said clamping bolt.

11. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 10,

wherein said locking means includes a first lock member formed with said tilt locking toothed portion and mounted on said clamping bolt between said operating lever and said first side wall of said upper mounting bracket member,

wherein said operating lever includes a fulcrum portion mounted on said clamping bolt for pushing said lock member toward said first side wall of said upper mounting bracket member,

wherein said lock member has said first bolt hole receiving said clamping bolt and prevents said clamping bolt from moving along said elongated tilt adjustment hole of said upper mounting bracket member when said tilt locking toothed portion of said lock member is engaged with said tilt lock toothed portion of said upper mounting bracket member.

12. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 11,

wherein said tilt lock toothed portion is positioned adjacent said elongated tilt adjustment hole of said first side wall of said upper mounting bracket member, and

wherein said tilt lock toothed portion of said upper mounting bracket member is formed with teeth for preventing said tilt locking toothed portion of said lock member from moving along said elongated tilt adjustment hole, and said telescopic lock toothed portion of said distance bracket member is formed with teeth for preventing said telescopic locking toothed portion of said locking means from moving along said elongated telescopic adjustment hole.

13. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein a resilient member is disposed between said lock member and said operating lever.

14. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein said distance bracket member comprises first and second side walls slidably positioned between said first and second side walls of said upper mounting bracket member, said telescopic lock toothed portion being positioned in one of said first and second side walls of said distance bracket member.

15. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 14:

wherein said tilt lock toothed portion of said upper clamp bracket member has first and second toothed portions between which said elongated tilt lock hole of said first side wall of said upper mounting bracket member is formed,

wherein said telescopic lock toothed portion of said distance bracket member has first and second toothed portions between which said elongated telescopic adjustment hole is formed,

wherein said tilt locking toothed portion of said lock member has first and second toothed portions for engaging with said first and second toothed portions of said tilt lock toothed portion of said upper mounting bracket member,

wherein said first bolt hole in said lock member is formed between said first and second toothed portions of said tilt locking toothed portion of said lock member,

wherein said telescopic locking toothed portion of said locking means has first and second toothed portion for engaging with said first and second toothed portions of said telescopic lock toothed portion of said distance bracket member, and

wherein said lock member further has said first and second toothed portions of said telescopic locking toothed portion of said locking means.

16. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 15:

wherein said lock member is removably received in said elongated tilt adjustment hole of said upper mounting clamp bracket member, and said telescopic locking toothed portion thereof is moved in an axial direction of said clamping bolt through said elongated tilt adjustment hole into and out of engagement with said telescopic lock toothed portion of said distance bracket member,

wherein said first side wall of said distance bracket member has a smooth outside surface in sliding contact with a smooth inside surface of one of said first and second side walls of said upper mounting clamp bracket member, and

wherein said telescopic lock toothed portion of said distance bracket member is formed in said first side wall of said distance bracket member and has depressed teeth below said outside surface of said first side wall of said distance bracket member.

17. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said lock member has said first and second toothed portions of said tilt locking toothed portion, said first bolt hole, said first and second toothed portions of said telescopic locking toothed portion, and a second bolt hole.

18. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 17:

wherein said smooth outside surface of said first side wall of said distance bracket member is flat, said teeth of said telescopic toothed portion of said distance bracket member are parallel to an imaginary straight line that is parallel to said smooth outside surface of said first side wall of said distance bracket member and perpendicular to a direction along which said elongated telescopic adjustment hole is elongated,

wherein said tilt lock toothed portion has teeth that are parallel to an imaginary straight line, which is parallel to a flat outside surface of said first wall of said upper mounting bracket member and perpendicular to a direction along which said elongated tilt adjustment elongate hole is elongated, and

wherein said lock member comprises a first movable member formed with said first and second toothed portions of said tilt locking toothed portion and said first bolt hole, and a second movable member mounted on said first movable member and formed with said first and second toothed portions of said telescopic locking toothed portion, and said second bolt hole.

19. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein said lock member includes a cam portion facing toward said fulcrum portion of said operating lever, and said fulcrum portion of said operating lever comprises a cam portion for pushing said cam portion of said lock member toward said first side wall of said upper clamp bracket member when said operating lever is rotated in a predetermined direction.

20. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 18:

wherein said clamping bolt has a threaded first bolt end and a clamping nut is screwed on said first bolt end, and has a second bolt end having a bolt head, and said second side wall of said upper clamp bracket member is placed between said bolt head and said distance bracket member,

wherein said fulcrum portion of said operating lever is shaped to be gripped to turn said clamping nut,

wherein a resilient member is disposed between said operating lever and said first movable member,

wherein said bolt head of said clamping bolt is engaged with a rotation preventing stopper member, which is slidably received in said elongated tilt adjustment hole of said second side wall of said upper clamp bracket member.

21. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 20:

wherein said locking means includes a shoulder formed in said clamping bolt between said bolt head and a shank of said clamping bolt, which is slidably received in said elongated tilt adjustment hole of said second side wall of said upper clamp bracket and formed with said telescopic locking toothed portion,

wherein said first side wall of said distance bracket member formed with said telescopic lock toothed portion faces toward said second side wall of said upper clamp bracket member, and

wherein said shoulder is integral with said clamping bolt and has a noncircular cross section, said shoulder preventing rotation of said clamping bolt by being engaged in said elongated tilt adjustment hole of said second side wall of said upper clamp bracket member.

22. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 14:

wherein said tilt lock toothed portion of said upper mounting bracket member has first and second toothed portions between which said elongated tilt lock hole of said first side wall of said upper mounting bracket member is formed,

wherein said telescopic lock toothed portion of said distance bracket member has first and second toothed portions between which said elongated telescopic adjustment hole is formed,

wherein said tilt locking toothed portion of said lock member has first and second toothed portions for engaging with said first and second toothed portions of said tilt lock toothed portion of said upper mounting bracket member,

wherein said first bolt hole in said lock member is formed between said first and second toothed portions of said tilt locking toothed portion of said lock member,

wherein said telescopic locking toothed portion of said locking means has first and second toothed portion for engaging with said first and second toothed portions of said telescopic lock toothed portion of said distance bracket member, and

wherein said locking means further includes a second lock member having a second bolt hole for receiving said clamping bolt, said second lock member having said first and second toothed portions of said telescopic locking toothed portion, said second bolt hole being formed between said first and second toothed portions of said telescopic locking toothed portion of said second lock member.

23. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 22:

wherein said first lock member is movably mounted on said clamping bolt between said operating lever and said first side wall of said upper mounting bracket member,

wherein said second lock member is mounted on said clamping bolt between said first and second side walls of said distance bracket member, and

wherein said telescopic lock portion of said distance bracket member is located between said first and second side walls of said distance bracket member.

24. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 22:

wherein said upper mounting clamp bracket member comprises a clamp bracket having said first and second side walls of said upper clamp bracket member, and a first toothed plate formed with said tilt lock toothed portion and removably connected to said first side wall of said clamp bracket with said tilt lock toothed portion on the outside surface of said first side wall of said clamp bracket,

wherein said distance bracket member comprises a distance bracket having said first and second side walls of said distance bracket member and a second toothed plate formed with said telescopic lock toothed portion and removably connected to said distance bracket, and

wherein said first and second toothed plates are identical in shape and size, and are interchangeable with each other.

25. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein each of said first and second toothed plates has an elongated hole receiving said clamping bolt and a raised portion fit in one of said elongated tilt adjustment hole and said elongated telescopic adjustment hole.

26. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 25:

wherein said second toothed plate is removably connected to said first side wall of said distance bracket with said telescopic lock toothed portion on an inside surface of said first side wall of said distance bracket,

wherein said first lock member is movably mounted on said clamping bolt between said operating lever and said first side wall of said clamp bracket

and said second lock member is movably mounted on said clamping bolt between said first and second side walls of said distance bracket, and

wherein said first and second lock members are identical in shape and size, and interchangeable with each other.

27. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 26:

wherein said clamping bolt includes a first stepped surface facing toward said first side wall of said distance bracket and abutting on said second lock member, and a second stepped surface adjacent said second side wall of said distance bracket, and

wherein a resilient member is disposed between said first and second lock members so as to urge said first and second lock members away from each other.

28. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 27:

wherein said upper mounting clamp bracket member further includes a third toothed plate formed with said tilt lock toothed portion and removably connected to said second side wall of said clamp bracket, with said tilt lock toothed portion on the outside surface of said first side wall of said clamp bracket, said third toothed plate being identical and interchangeable with said first toothed plate, and

wherein said locking means further includes a third lock member formed with said tilt locking toothed portion and removably mounted on said clamping bolt between said third toothed plate and one end of said clamping bolt.

29. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 28:

wherein said resilient member comprises a first side coil spring mounted on said clamping bolt between said first and second lock members for urging said first and second lock members away from each other, said first side coil spring continuously extending from a first spring end, abutting on said first lock member to a second spring end, abutting on said second lock member, and a second side coil spring mounted on said clamping bolt between said third lock member and said second stepped surface so as to urge said third lock member away from said third toothed plate, and

wherein said clamping bolt has a threaded first bolt end and a threaded second bolt end, a first nut being screwed on said first bolt end of said clamping bolt and a second nut being screwed on said second bolt end of said clamping bolt.

30. A steering column assembly as claimed in claim 28:

further comprising a washer mounted on said clamping bolt between said first and second movable members, said resilient member comprising a first coil spring mounted on said clamping bolt between said first lock member and said washer for urging said first lock member away from said first toothed plate, a second coil spring mounted on said clamping bolt between said second lock member and said washer for urging said second lock member away from said second toothed plate, and a third coil spring mounted on said clamping bolt between said third lock member and said second stepped surface so as to urge said third lock member away from said third toothed plate, and

wherein said clamping bolt has a threaded first bolt end and a threaded second bolt end, a first nut being screwed on said first bolt end of said clamping bolt and a second nut being screwed on said second bolt end of said clamping bolt.