Patent ID: 11945495
Assignee: ZF STEERING SYSTEMS POLAND SP. Z.O.O.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 17:
18. A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a shroud comprising an axially movable upper part and an axially fixed lower part, the upper and lower parts moving telescopically to provide adjustment for reach of the steering column assembly;
a steering shaft which is supported by the shroud;
a pivot which connects a part of the lower part to a fixed part of the vehicle;
a clamp mechanism which releasably fixes the upper and lower shroud parts in position relative to one another and which also fixes the shroud in position relative to a further fixed part of the vehicle;
a mounting bracket, fixed relative to the vehicle;
a sprung support assembly which includes at least one guide element that has an outer surface that engages a complimentary shaped guide track of the mounting bracket,
wherein the sprung support assembly is fixed in position to the upper shroud part and bears upon the mounting bracket such that the sprung support assembly provides a reaction force that at least partially supports the shroud when the clamp mechanism is released;
wherein the guide track additionally comprises a groove that has a diameter complementary to the outer diameter of the guide element such that the groove helps a user find the mid-range position for reach during adjustment.