Steering column assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A collapsible steering column assembly comprising:
- an upper column portion;
an intermediate column portion; and
a lower column portion;
said upper portion being telescopically connected to said intermediate portion and said intermediate portion in turn being telescopically connected to said lower portion to define a column having a first length when in an extended position and a second length when in a collapsed position, said first length being greater than said second length;
wherein said lower portion and said intermediate portion are adapted to co-operate after a predefined amount of relative movement to prevent further relative movement therebetween such that thereafter said upper portion will start to move relative to said intermediate portion;
wherein said upper portion has a stop which limits an amount of permitted movement between said intermediate portion and said upper portion; and
wherein said stop on said upper portion is defined by an inwardly directed face of said upper portion which is struck by an end of said intermediate portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A collapsible steering column assembly comprises: an upper column portion; an intermediate column portion; and a lower column portion. The upper portion is telescopically connected to the intermediate portion and the intermediate portion in turn is telescopically connected to the lower portion to define a column having a first length when in an extended position and a second length when in a collapsed position, the first length being greater than the second length.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A collapsible steering column assembly comprising:
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an upper column portion; an intermediate column portion; and a lower column portion;
said upper portion being telescopically connected to said intermediate portion and said intermediate portion in turn being telescopically connected to said lower portion to define a column having a first length when in an extended position and a second length when in a collapsed position, said first length being greater than said second length;wherein said lower portion and said intermediate portion are adapted to co-operate after a predefined amount of relative movement to prevent further relative movement therebetween such that thereafter said upper portion will start to move relative to said intermediate portion; wherein said upper portion has a stop which limits an amount of permitted movement between said intermediate portion and said upper portion; and wherein said stop on said upper portion is defined by an inwardly directed face of said upper portion which is struck by an end of said intermediate portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A collapsible steering column assembly comprising:
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an upper column portion; an intermediate column portion; and a lower column portion;
said upper portion being telescopically connected to said intermediate portion and said intermediate portion in turn being telescopically connected to said lower portion to define a column having a first length when in an extended position and a second length when in a collapsed position, said first length being greater than said second length;wherein said lower portion and said intermediate portion are adapted to co-operate after a predefined amount of relative movement to prevent further relative movement therebetween such that thereafter said upper portion will start to move relative to said intermediate portion; and wherein said lower portion is arranged such that upon said intermediate portion reaching an end of its travel said lower portion starts to slidingly engage said upper portion at a location spaced from said intermediate portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A collapsible steering column assembly comprising:
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an upper column portion; an intermediate column portion; and a lower column portion;
said upper portion being telescopically connected to said intermediate portion and said intermediate portion in turn being telescopically connected to said lower portion to define a column having a first length when in an extended position and a second length when in a collapsed position, said first length being greater than said second length;wherein said lower portion and said intermediate portion are adapted to co-operate after a predefined amount of relative movement to prevent further relative movement therebetween such that thereafter said upper portion will start to move relative to said intermediate portion; and wherein said upper portion and said lower portion are both tubes with one sliding over another, said upper tube being stepped in diameter to define a face which is struck by an end of said intermediate tube when said assembly has reached a fully collapsed position. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification