Tilting mechanism
First Claim
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1. A tilting arrangement for a vehicle steering wheel unit, the tilting arrangement comprising:
- a mount to mount the tilting arrangement on the vehicle, anda support element, the steering wheel unit being pivotally connected to the support element to effect a tilting pivotal movement, about a pivot axis, the support element being movable relative to the mount so as to move the pivot axis with a movement which has a substantial upward component;
wherein the pivotal connection between the support element and the steering wheel unit is towards a rear of the steering wheel unit, there being a further member pivotally connected to the steering wheel unit towards a front of the steering wheel unit so that, as the pivotal connection between the support element and the steering wheel unit directs said movement to include a substantial upward component, the steering wheel tilts forwardly; and
wherein the support element is a support plate and further wherein when the pivotal connection between the steering wheel unit and the support plate has directed said upward movement and the steering wheel has tilted, a rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point, is not substantially lower than the rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point before said movement commenced.
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Abstract
A tilting arrangement for a vehicle steering wheel unit is disclosed. The tilting arrangement incorporates a mount (2) to mount the tilting arrangement on the vehicle. A support element (11) is provided, and the steering wheel unit is pivotally connected (13) to the support element (11) to effect tilting pivotal movement about a pivot axis (13). The support element (11) is moveable relative to the mount (2) so as to move the pivotal axis (13) with a movement which has a substantial upward component.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A tilting arrangement for a vehicle steering wheel unit, the tilting arrangement comprising:
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a mount to mount the tilting arrangement on the vehicle, and a support element, the steering wheel unit being pivotally connected to the support element to effect a tilting pivotal movement, about a pivot axis, the support element being movable relative to the mount so as to move the pivot axis with a movement which has a substantial upward component; wherein the pivotal connection between the support element and the steering wheel unit is towards a rear of the steering wheel unit, there being a further member pivotally connected to the steering wheel unit towards a front of the steering wheel unit so that, as the pivotal connection between the support element and the steering wheel unit directs said movement to include a substantial upward component, the steering wheel tilts forwardly; and wherein the support element is a support plate and further wherein when the pivotal connection between the steering wheel unit and the support plate has directed said upward movement and the steering wheel has tilted, a rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point, is not substantially lower than the rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point before said movement commenced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A tilting arrangement for a vehicle steering wheel unit, the tilting arrangement comprising:
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a mount to mount the tilting arrangement on the vehicle, and a support element, the steering wheel unit being pivotally connected to the support element to effect a tilting pivotal movement, about a pivot axis, the support element being movable relative to the mount so as to move the pivot axis with a movement which has a substantial upward component; wherein the pivotal connection between the support element and the steering wheel unit is towards a rear of the steering wheel unit, there being a further member pivotally connected to the steering wheel unit towards a front of the steering wheel unit so that, as the pivotal connection between the support element and the steering wheel unit directs said movement to include a substantial upward component, the steering wheel tilts forwardly; wherein the support element is a support plate and further wherein when the pivotal connection between the steering wheel unit and the support plate has directed said upward movement and the steering wheel has tilted, a rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point, is not substantially lower than the rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point before said movement commenced; and wherein the support element comprises a pivotally mounted support arm, the support arm being pivotally mounted to a support plate at its lower end and being pivotally connected to the steering wheel unit at its upper end, movement of the arm causing the axis of the pivotal connection between the arm and the steering wheel unit to follow an arcuate path.
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Specification