Linear tilt mechanism
US6591709B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D1/184
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for releasably locking the tilt steering column assembly. The apparatus includes a housing, a lock member, a pawl, a rack and a rack trunnion. The rack and the rack trunnion, which are slidable relative to one another, form a link that determines the angle to which the tilt steering column is adjusted. The pawl is pivotably coupled to the rack trunnion and pivotable between a first position, wherein teeth formed on the pawl meshingly engage teeth formed on the rack to fix the position of the rack trunnion relative to the rack, and a second position, wherein the teeth of the pawl are rotated out of engagement with the teeth of the rack to permit the rack trunnion and the rack to be moved relative to one another. The lock member is disposed between a wall of the housing and the pawl such that relative movement of the housing toward the rack trunnion engages the lock member to the pawl and rotates the pawl into the first
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.