Patent ID: 6349966
Filing Date: 2002-02-26
Classification: B62D,F16H

Abstract:
A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:a first steering shaft centered on a first steering axis; a second steering shaft centered on a second steering axis, said second steering axis being spaced from said first steering axis; and a coupling device for coupling said first and second steering shafts such that rotational motion may be transferred therebetween, said coupling device including: a first gear coupled for rotation with said first steering shaft, the first gear having first gear teeth; a second gear coupled for rotation with both said second steering shaft and said first gear, the second gear having second gear teeth; a plate for rotatably supporting said first and second gears and for direct connection to a vehicle cowl; a belt interconnecting the first and second gears, the belt including openings for receiving the first gear teeth and the second gear teeth of the upper and lower gears; and a rotatable idler gear horizontally biased by a spring, the rotatable idler gear biasing said belt to sustain tension within said belt, the rotatable idler gear being supported by a slidably attached idler plate coupled to said plate.