Steering column

Details Steering column Steering column

1999-03-24

2001-08-28

English, Peter C. (Department: 3619)

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Running gear

C074S493000, C074S527000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06279951

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a steering column, and more specifically to a steering column in which a rod member is pivotally attached to a pivotable steering column member associated with a steering wheel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A known steering column is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,716. U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,716 discloses a steering column in which a rod member is pivotally attached to a steering column member. The rod member moves longitudinally upon pivotal movement of the steering column member. A pair of coil springs are normally tightly wound around the periphery of the rod member so that, when fully wound, they grip the rod member and prevent longitudinal movement of the rod member. Rotation of a lever about an axis of the rod member causes the springs to become partially unwound and release their grip on the rod member. When the springs become unwound, the rod member can be moved longitudinally.
Another known steering column is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,261. U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,261 discloses a steering column in which a tilt lever is rotated so that a pressure pin projecting from a latch lever is shifted in a slot formed in the tilt lever. At the same time, a tilt bolt, fixed to the tilt lever, is loosened from a tilt nut. The distance between the pressure pin and the tilt bolt becomes greater as the pressure pin shifts in the slit. The latch lever rotates about a shaft provided in the sides of the steering column so that teeth on the latch lever disengage from teeth on a fixed bracket. At the same time, the distance between an inner side of the tilt lever and the tilt nut becomes greater. Vertical panels of the fixed bracket are released from being pressed against sides of a vertically shifting bracket fixed to the steering column. The steering column can be tilted relative to the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The apparatus of the present invention includes a pivotable steering column member associated with a vehicle steering wheel. A rod member is pivotally attached to the steering column member. The rod member has a longitudinal axis. The rod member moves longitudinally upon pivotal movement of the steering column member. The rod member has a first plurality of teeth extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first plurality of teeth are centered relative to a plane extending through the longitudinal axis.
A lever member has a second plurality of teeth for meshing engagement with the first plurality of teeth. The lever member is fixed against movement longitudinally with the rod member. The lever member is mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis between a release position and an engaged position. The first and second plurality of teeth are out of meshing engagement permitting longitudinal movement of the rod member when the lever member is in the release position. The first and second plurality of teeth are in meshing engagement and block longitudinal movement of the rod member when the lever member is in the engaged position. The pivot axis is offset to one side of the plane a distance generally equal to one half the length of teeth of the first plurality of teeth.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3355962 (1967-12-01), Gerdes et al.
patent: 5161425 (1992-11-01), Baskett et al
patent: 5338064 (1994-08-01), Sadakata et al.
patent: 5363716 (1994-11-01), Budzik, Jr., et al.
patent: 5409261 (1995-04-01), Yamaguchi
patent: 5419581 (1995-05-01), Schafer et al.
patent: 5452624 (1995-09-01), Thomas et al.
patent: 0497262 (1992-08-01), None
patent: 807564 (1997-11-01), None
patent: 0818379 (1998-01-01), None
patent: 1002711 (2000-05-01), None
patent: 0134371 (1988-06-01), None

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