Steering column with rotary tilt mechanism and method of installation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An articulated, tiltable steering column for a steering wheel, the column comprising:
- an upper steering wheel column member;
a lower stationary steering column member;
a pivot connection between the upper and lower column members allowing the steering wheel to be tiltably adjusted about the pivot connection to selected positions of adjustment;
a locking mechanism for retaining the upper and lower column members in selected positions of adjustment, the locking mechanism including a rod disposed between the upper and lower column members, the rod received by and slidable along a longitudinal axis within a sleeve, the rod and sleeve including a passage formed therein for receiving a shaft;
a collar journalled around the sleeve and including diametrically opposed bores for receiving the shaft; and
a biasing member secured at a first end to a mounting portion extending from the sleeve and secured at a second end by the collar, the biasing member providing a rotational bias on the sleeve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An articulated, tiltable steering column and method for installing the same is provided. The steering column includes a locking mechanism for retaining upper and lower column members in selected positions of adjustment. The locking mechanism includes a rod received by and slidable along a longitudinal axis within a sleeve. A collar is journalled around the sleeve and includes diametrically opposed bores for receiving the shaft. A biasing member is secured on a first end to a mounting portion extending from the sleeve and is secured on a second end by the collar.
23 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An articulated, tiltable steering column for a steering wheel, the column comprising:
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an upper steering wheel column member;
a lower stationary steering column member;
a pivot connection between the upper and lower column members allowing the steering wheel to be tiltably adjusted about the pivot connection to selected positions of adjustment;
a locking mechanism for retaining the upper and lower column members in selected positions of adjustment, the locking mechanism including a rod disposed between the upper and lower column members, the rod received by and slidable along a longitudinal axis within a sleeve, the rod and sleeve including a passage formed therein for receiving a shaft;
a collar journalled around the sleeve and including diametrically opposed bores for receiving the shaft; and
a biasing member secured at a first end to a mounting portion extending from the sleeve and secured at a second end by the collar, the biasing member providing a rotational bias on the sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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2. An articulated, tiltable steering column for a steering wheel, the column comprising:
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an upper steering wheel column member;
a lower stationary steering column member;
a pivot connection between the upper and lower column members allowing the steering wheel to be tiltably adjusted about the pivot connection to selected positions of adjustment;
a locking mechanism for retaining the upper and lower column members in selected positions of adjustment, the locking mechanism including a rod disposed between the upper and lower column members, the rod received by and slidable along a longitudinal axis within a sleeve, the rod and sleeve including a passage formed therein for receiving a shaft;
a collar journalled around the sleeve and including diametrically opposed bores for receiving the shaft, wherein the collar is retained at a first end by an annular wall extending from the sleeve and retained at a second end by a nut threadably received by the sleeve; and
a biasing member secured at a first end to a mounting portion extending from the sleeve and secured at a second end by the collar, the biasing member providing a rotational bias on the sleeve.
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7. A method of installing a rotary tilt mechanism in a motor vehicle, the rotary tilt mechanism having a rod disposed within and selectively translatable along a longitudinal axis within a sleeve, the sleeve rotatably biased around the rod by a biasing member, the tilt mechanism further including a first mounting shaft coupled to an upper steering wheel column member and a second mounting shaft coupled to a lower steering wheel column member, the method comprising the steps of;
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sliding a collar along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve to a predetermined location;
engaging the collar to a first end of the biasing member;
creating a mounting passage by rotating the collar in a direction of increased bias to a location aligning passages incorporated in the collar with passages incorporated on the sleeve and the rod;
advancing a locking element along the sleeve to a position precluding rotation of the collar; and
inserting one of the first and second mounting shafts through the mounting passage. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of installing a rotary tilt mechanism in a motor vehicle, the rotary tilt mechanism having a rod disposed within and selectively translatable along a longitudinal axis within a sleeve, the sleeve rotatably biased around the rod by a biasing member, the tilt mechanism further including a first mounting shaft coupled to an upper steering wheel column member and a second mounting shaft coupled to a lower steering wheel column member, the method comprising the steps of;
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positioning a collar into engagement with a first end of the biasing member;
rotating the collar in a direction of increased bias;
positioning a looking element adjacent to the collar allowing alignment of passages incorporated on the rod, sleeve and collar to form a common mounting passage; and
admitting one of the first and second mounting shafts through the mounting passage. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification