Tilt-telescope steering column

US5363716A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TRW Limited · US

Inventors

• John A. Budzik · Huntertown, US
• Mark A. Cartwright · West Lafayette, US
• Mark A. Hoagland · Newtown, US
• Samuel G. Johnson · West Lafayette, US
• Murthy N. Nemani · West Lafayette, US
• Gerald K. Oxley · Lafayette, US
• Philip S. Peterson · Wolcott, US
• Gerald W. Thomas · West Lafayette, US
• Frederick D. Venable · Lafayette, US
• Daniel L. White · Indio, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 1, 1993
• Grant date: Nov 15, 1994
• Expiry date: Apr 1, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/2066
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A steering column has a first steering column member movable axially relative to a second steering column member. An input shaft is connected with the steering wheel and supported on the first steering column member for pivotable movement relative to the first steering column member. A first lock locks the first steering column member in any one of an infinite number of axial positions relative to the second steering column member. A second lock locks the input shaft in any one of an infinite number of pivot positions relative to the first steering column member. A member to unlock the first and second locks has a first position in which the first lock is unlocked and the second lock is locked. The member has another position in which the second lock means is unlocked and the first lock is locked.