Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Hand operated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-09
2001-05-29
Fenstermacher, David (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Hand operated
C074S492000, C280S777000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237439
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a vehicle steering column assembly including a single release lever for actuation of tilting and telescoping movement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicle steering column assemblies sometimes include tilting and telescoping features for steering wheel adjustment. These adjustment features generally include separate levers for tilting and telescoping adjustment. Also, these assemblies require features which engage both the steering column assembly and the support structure to provide such adjustability. Accordingly, such designs require additional manufacturing steps when the steering column is assembled into the instrument panel in order to engage the telescoping or tilting features.
It is desirable to provide an improved steering column assembly wherein tilting and telescoping adjustment may be actuated by a single lever, and additional manufacturing steps are not required for attaching tilting or telescoping features as the steering column assembly is installed.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above-referenced shortcomings of prior art steering column assemblies by providing a steering column assembly with a single release lever which actuates tilting and telescoping movement of the steering column, and in which the tilt and telescope features are fully contained within the steering column assembly, thereby eliminating the need for additional attachment steps when assembling the steering column assembly into the vehicle.
More specifically, the present invention provides a vehicle steering column assembly including a receiver forming an aperture therethrough, and a steering column armature assembly received within the receiver aperture and including a steering column. The steering column armature assembly includes a tilt locking feature for selectively locking the steering column at desired tilt locations with respect to the receiver, and a telescope locking feature for selectively locking telescoping movement of the steering column armature assembly with respect to the receiver. A single handle is operatively connected to the tilt locking feature and to the telescope locking feature for selectively disengaging the tilt locking feature and telescope locking feature for adjustment of the steering column.
Preferably, the single handle is movable between a first position in which both the tilt and telescope locking features are locked, a second position in which only the telescope locking feature is locked, and a third position in which only the tilt locking feature is locked.
Also, preferably the receiver is a cross-car beam forming an aperture therethrough to receive the steering column armature assembly in a single step assembly operation. The receiver includes at least one gear rack and the steering column armature includes at least one rotatable gear engaged with the rack. The telescope locking feature is operative to prevent rotation of the rotatable gear.
The tilt locking feature includes an actuator arm connected to the single handle and engageable with a bulkhead stabilizer tooth assembly for preventing pivotable movement of the steering column.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an improved steering column assembly in which tilt and telescope locking features are actuated by a single handle, and the tilt and telescope locking features are fully integrated into the steering column armature assembly.
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Hedderly Gregory Thomas
Kutsche Patricia Kaye
Luckett Thomas Junior
Weber William Francis
Fenstermacher David
Kajander John E.
Visteon Global Technologies Inc.
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