Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-08
2001-02-06
Mai, Lanna (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
C180S078000, C074S493000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183011
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an arrangement for covering a gap in an opening between a dashboard and a steering column that is displaceable in different directions, comprising a casing part, substantially enclosing the steering column, to which is hinged a structural part serving to cover the gap, the structural part serving to cover the gap being held against the dashboard by at least one spring element.
A generic arrangement for covering a gap is disclosed in DE 295 02 605 U1. There, a platelike rigid structural part is used for covering the gap. This arrangement is bulky and comparatively complicated in design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Starting out from said prior art, a generic arrangement is sought which may be used to save space and is comparatively simple in design.
With the features described herein, the invention provides such an arrangement. It is proposed, according to the invention, that the casing part and the structural part serving to cover the gap can be brought together to form a substantially circular outer contour. Therefore, the arrangement for covering the gap according to the invention can be used in space-saving fashion even in conditions of limited space (e.g., in small cars). The design may be kept comparatively simple structurally. In addition, a visually attractive general impression can be obtained.
An advantageous design of the invention provides that the structural part serving to cover the gap is hinged in the end region of the casing part toward the steering wheel, at its upper side. In this way, the structural part serving to cover the gap may be designed as a rigid part, thus simplifying its structure. Hinging of the said structural part to the limiting wall of the opening and simultaneously to the casing part would alternatively be possible. When the steering column is moved axially, the said structural part would then have to be flexible in length, because the distance between the two hinge points changes.
The flexible element may advantageously be designed in the form of a leaf spring, thus permitting great spring-supported movement of the structural part serving to cover the gap in simple fashion. However, a design resembling an especially sturdy leaf spring is alternatively possible.
Making the casing part in one piece provides stability to the arrangement. In addition, the likelihood of noise caused by parts moving against one another is reduced. However, it may alternatively be advantageous for the casing part to consist of an upper part and a lower part. Then the upper and lower parts may be locked together. This simplifies assembly of the arrangement according to the invention.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, when the casing part, in its lower side region, is provided with an opening for at least partial accommodation of a device for locking the steering column, the locking device can be arranged compactly and readily accessible. When the locking device, in the region of the opening, at the same time is advantageously substantially adapted to the outer contour of the casing part, optimal integration of the locking device in the arrangement is effected. Then it is advisable to provide that in the longitudinal extension of the casing part the length of the opening be sized so that longitudinal displacement of the casing part is not hindered by the locking device. In an especially advantageous refinement of the invention, the locking device comprises a cam, whereby reliable locking of the steering column is obtained in simple fashion.
According to another advantageous development of the invention, the casing part has a front opening that serves for the accommodation of a steering wheel-side shoulder on the steering column.
Simple and advantageous hinging of the structural part serving to cover the gap to the casing part is effected by a snap-in connection.
The casing part advantageously is provided with at least one supporting member acting transverse to the steering column. Then the supporting means may be designed in the form of a sleevelike yielding element. This makes for good radial and yet readily flexible support of the casing part. In the event of inadvertent displacement motions of the steering column, damage to the casing part is therefore avoided.
The structural part serving to cover the gap advantageously is designed roughly semicircular in cross section. At the same time, it is advantageous when the casing part, in the region of its upper end, has an outer surface set back radially inward. The casing part and the structural part serving to cover the gap can therefore be supplemented in simple fashion to make a circular outer contour, so that suitable supporting surfaces are obtained.
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Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Ilan Ruth
Mai Lanna
Volkswagen AG
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