Releasable push/pull lock device of an adjustable steering column assembly
US7621197B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 2007 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/2069
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A steering column assembly of a vehicle has a releasable push/pull lock device for selectably locking an adjustable steering housing and co-extending steering shaft to a stationary bracket or chassis. For driver convenience and comfort, the steering housing and shaft are together adjustable with respect to the bracket. The lock device has a toggle apparatus having a push/pull lever that may extend substantially parallel to a rotating axis of the steering shaft and move in a first direction along its length and between locked and unlocked positions. A carrier of the device connects to the toggle apparatus and moves along its length in a second direction that may be perpendicular to the first direction and as the lever moves between the locked and unlocked positions. Preferably, an indexing apparatus is generally carried between the carrier and at least one of the housing and the bracket for selecting adjustment of the steering column assembly when the device is in the unlocked position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.