Patent ID: 6571587
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: B60R,Y10T

Abstract:
A steering column lock, comprising:a lock bolt having a cam follower surface; a frame; an actuator coupled to the frame; a pivot drivably coupled to the actuator; a cam on the pivot and positioned adjacent to the cam follower surface, the cam rotatable to exert force on the cam follower surface and to move the lock bolt from an extended and locked position to a retracted and unlocked position, the cam having a first portion against which the cam follower surface of the lock bolt rides to initiate movement of the lock bolt from the extended and locked position to the retracted and unlocked position, the first portion of the cam oriented at a first steepness with respect to the cam follower surface when the first portion of the cam is in camming contact with the cam follower surface of the lock bolt; a second portion adjacent the first portion in the direction of rotation of the cam and against which the cam follower surface of the lock bolt rides to move the lock bolt from the extended and locked position to the retracted and unlocked position, the second position of the cam oriented at a second steepness with respect to the cam follower surface when the second portion of the cam is in camming contact with the cam follower surface of the lock bolt, the second steepness being greater than the first steepness; a third portion adjacent the second portion in the direction of rotation of the cam and against which the cam follower surface of the lock bolt rides to move the lock bolt from the extended and locked position to the retracted and unlocked position, the third portion oriented at a third steepness with respect to the cam follower surface when the third portion of the cam is in camming contact with the cam follower surface of the lock bolt, the third steepness being less than the second steepness.