Intermediate steering column
US6829961B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/2159
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An intermediate steering column (10) for a vehicle with a firewall (14) includes a first shaft (30) pivotally attached to a first U-joint (54) and rotatable about a longitudinal axis (32) of the first shaft upon rotation of the first U-joint. A second shaft (28) drivingly connected to the first shaft (30) has a slip joint connection (42) with the first shaft permitting relative axial movement of the first and second shafts while maintaining a rotary drive connection between the first and second shafts. The first shaft (30) includes first and second shaft parts (60 and 62) and a quick disconnect joint (64) between the first and second shaft parts permitting disconnection of the first and second shaft parts and pivoting of the first shaft part relative to the first U-joint (54) to a first out of the way position and pivoting of the second shaft part relative to a second U-joint (36) to a second out of the way position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.