Patent ID: 6829961
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: B62D,F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
An intermediate steering column for a vehicle having a firewall, said intermediate steering column comprising:a first U-joint connectable with a steering wheel of the vehicle; a first shaft pivotally attached to said first U-joint and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of said first shaft upon rotation of said first U-joint; a second shaft drivingly connected to said first shaft and having a slip joint connection with said first shaft permitting relative axial movement of said first and second shafts while maintaining a rotary drive connection between said first and second shafts; a second U-joint pivotally attached to said second shaft and connectable with a steering mechanism of the vehicle; and said first shaft comprising first and second shaft parts and a reusable quick disconnect joint between said first and second shaft parts permitting disconnection of said first and second shaft parts without relative axial movement between said first and second shaft parts and pivoting of said first shaft part relative to said first U-joint to a first out of the way position and pivoting of said second shaft and said second shaft part relative to said second U-joint to a second out of the way position without relative axial movement between said first and second shaft parts and then further permitting reconnection of said first and second shaft parts by said quick disconnect joint, said quick disconnect joint including a fastener extending through both said first shaft part and said second shaft part of said first shaft.