Patent ID: 7621562
Filing Date: 2009-11-24
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A steering column comprising a steering tube ( 2 ) having a lower end anchorable to a support ( 3 ), a shaft ( 4 ) rotationally mounted inside the steering tube ( 2 ); a steering wheel ( 5 ) angularly coupled to an upper end of the shaft ( 4 ); a control device ( 20 ) for adjusting the position of the steering wheel ( 5 ) with respect to the lower end of the steering tube ( 2 ); the steering tube ( 2 ) comprising a lower portion ( 6 ) and an upper portion ( 13 ), the lower portion ( 6 ) being adjustable in length along a first axis ( 7 ), and the upper portion ( 13 ) having a second axis ( 14 ), the upper portion ( 13 ) coupled to the lower portion ( 6 ) to rotate about a third axis ( 17 ) transverse to the first and second axis ( 7 , 14 ); the control device ( 20 ) comprising a control mechanism ( 22 ) for adjusting an angular position of the steering wheel ( 5 ) with respect to the lower portion ( 6 ) about the third axis ( 17 ), the control mechanism ( 22 ) comprising a plate ( 37 ) integral with one of the lower or upper portions ( 6 , 13 ) and provided with a plurality of holes ( 36 ); a pin element ( 33 ) integral with the other of the lower or upper portions ( 6 , 13 ), the pin element ( 33 ) being parallel to the third axis ( 17 ) and movable in a parallel direction to the third axis ( 17 ) between a locking position in which the pin element ( 33 ) selectively engages one of the holes ( 36 ) thereby locking the angular position of the steering wheel ( 5 ) about the third axis ( 17 ), and an unlocking position in which the pin element ( 33 ) disengages the holes; and a control member ( 23 ) operably connected to the pin element ( 33 ).