Steering column with vertically adjustable steering wheel for motor vehicles

US5029489A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• LEMFORDER METALLWAREN AG · DE

Inventors

• Joachim Burmeister · Bad Essen, DE
• Burkhard Schafer · Ganderkesee, DE
• Norbert Bauch · Eydelstedt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 2, 1990
• Grant date: Jul 9, 1991
• Expiry date: May 2, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/20636
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A steering column for motor vehicles with axially adjustable steering shaft and positive locking between an axially adjustable, non-rotatably mounted steering column jacket and a support bearing that forms a rigid part of the vehicle body is described, wherein the locking mechanism consists of teeth provided on the circumference of the steering column jacket and teeth engaging in same, which latter teeth are provided on a locking element movably anchored in the support bearing, as well as of wedge bodies which can be moved into a locked position that brings about locking. The locking element is able to perform a limited pivoting motion around an axis arranged at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the steering column and can be displaced in the direction of the plane of engagement of the teeth at least by one tooth pitch, wherein next to a wedge body which tensions during its functioning the teeth on the steering column jacket and on the locking element at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the steering column, further wedge bodies are provided, which during their functioning wedge the locking element in the direction of the plane of engagement of the teeth against the s…