Patent ID: 6688645
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A turn-limited column assembly comprisinga column rotatable about an axis, a first plate rotatable with the column, said first plate defining a first spiral track having an inboard end and an outboard end, a second plate disposed to permit rotation of the first plate relative to the second plate, said second plate defining a second spiral track having an inboard end and an outboard end and arranged with the first plate such that a section of the first track axially overlies a section of the second spiral track to define an intersection, and further such that the first spiral track extends from the intersection toward the first track inboard end in a first direction and the second spiral track extends from the intersection toward the second track inboard end in a second direction different from the first direction, and a sliding element disposed at the intersection and slideable along the first track and the second track between a first stop wherein the sliding element is disposed at the inboard end of the first track and the inboard end of the second track and a second stop wherein the sliding element is disposed at the outboard end of the first track and the outboard end of the second track.