Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Hand operated
Patent
1995-06-30
1996-11-05
Marmor, Charles A.
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Hand operated
74531, B62D 118
Patent
active
055706100
ABSTRACT:
An adjustable motor vehicle steering column having a stationary mast jacket, a tilt-housing supported on the stationary mast jacket for up and down pivotal movement, a steering wheel rotatably supported on the tilt-housing, a friction clamp for infinite tilt adjustment, and a wedge lock to prevent upward pivotal movement of the tilt-housing in the event the friction clamp is overpowered. The wedge lock includes an arc-shaped land on the tilt-housing, a locking ring having an eccentric outer edge rotatably supported on the stationary mast jacket concentric with the arc-shaped land, and a torsion spring biasing the locking ring toward engagement of the eccentric outer edge thereof on the arc-shaped land. If the friction clamp is overpowered, the arc-shaped land effects rotation of the locking ring to a wedged position against the land at the onset of pivotal movement of the tilt-housing in which further pivotal movement of the tilt-housing is foreclosed. The operating lever forcibly rotates the locking ring in a direction separating its eccentric outer edge from the arc-shaped land when the friction clamp is open and releases the locking ring when the friction clamp is closed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4472982 (1984-09-01), Nishikawa
patent: 4732050 (1988-03-01), Vollmer
patent: 5052240 (1991-10-01), Miyoshi et al.
patent: 5161425 (1992-11-01), Baskett et al.
patent: 5361646 (1994-11-01), Venable
patent: 5481938 (1996-01-01), Stuedemann et al.
Fenstermacher David
General Motors Corporation
Marmor Charles A.
Schwartz Saul
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