Adjustable steering column assembly
First Claim
1. An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising:
- a column jacket defining a longitudinal axis and moveable in at least one of a telescoping direction and a tilting direction;
a bracket coupled to said column jacket;
at least one pivot shaft defining a pivot axis extending transverse to said longitudinal axis with said pivot shaft coupled to said bracket along said pivot axis;
a lever extending along said longitudinal axis and mounted to said pivot shaftwith said lever rotatable about said pivot axis between a set position for preventing movement of said column jacket in at least one of said telescoping and tilting directions and an adjustable position for allowing movement of said column jacket in at least one of said telescoping and tilting directions; and
a locking device engaging said lever and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to rotation of said lever between said set and adjustable positions, respectively;
said locking device including at least one plate having a predetermined length extending along said longitudinal axis and transverse to said pivot axis and having a first edge and a second edge spaced from each other with said first edge engaging said lever along said predetermined length and said second edge engaging said bracket along said predetermined length such that said first and second edges rotate relative to said longitudinal axis between an upright position increasing a locking force between said lever and said bracket when in said locked position for preventing movement of said column jacket and an angled position decreasing said locking force between said lever and said bracket when in said unlocked position for allowing movement of said column jacket.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An adjustable steering column assembly having a column jacket defining a longitudinal axis and moveable in at least one of a telescoping direction and a tilting direction is disclosed. A bracket is coupled to the column jacket with at least one pivot shaft coupled to the bracket along a pivot axis. A lever is mounted to the pivot shaft and rotates between a set position for preventing movement of the column jacket and an adjustable position for allowing movement of the column jacket. A locking device engages the lever and moves between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to rotation of the lever between the set and adjustable positions, respectively. A restrictor encircles the bracket, the column jacket, the lever and the locking device for resisting against an outwardly radial force produced by the locking device when in the locked position.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising:
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a column jacket defining a longitudinal axis and moveable in at least one of a telescoping direction and a tilting direction; a bracket coupled to said column jacket; at least one pivot shaft defining a pivot axis extending transverse to said longitudinal axis with said pivot shaft coupled to said bracket along said pivot axis; a lever extending along said longitudinal axis and mounted to said pivot shaft with said lever rotatable about said pivot axis between a set position for preventing movement of said column jacket in at least one of said telescoping and tilting directions and an adjustable position for allowing movement of said column jacket in at least one of said telescoping and tilting directions; and a locking device engaging said lever and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to rotation of said lever between said set and adjustable positions, respectively; said locking device including at least one plate having a predetermined length extending along said longitudinal axis and transverse to said pivot axis and having a first edge and a second edge spaced from each other with said first edge engaging said lever along said predetermined length and said second edge engaging said bracket along said predetermined length such that said first and second edges rotate relative to said longitudinal axis between an upright position increasing a locking force between said lever and said bracket when in said locked position for preventing movement of said column jacket and an angled position decreasing said locking force between said lever and said bracket when in said unlocked position for allowing movement of said column jacket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification