Patent ID: 7823478
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising: an outer jacket defining a longitudinal axis; an inner jacket coupled to said outer jacket and movable relative to said outer jacket along said axis between a plurality of longitudinal adjustment positions with said inner jacket having an abutment surface; a longitudinal locking device supported by said outer jacket and movable between a released position and an engaged position, said inner jacket longitudinally moveable relative to said outer jacket in said longitudinal locking device released position, said inner jacket longitudinally immoveable relative to said outer jacket in said longitudinally locking device engaged position; a tilt housing pivotally coupled to said inner jacket and moveable relative to said inner jacket between a plurality of tilting adjustment positions; a tilt locking device disposed between said inner jacket and said tilt housing and moveable between a released position and an engaged position, said tilt housing tiltably moveable relative to said inner jacket in said tilt locking device released position, said tilt housing tiltably immovable relative to said inner jacket in said tilt locking device engaged position; a control lever movably mounted to said tilt housing and coupled to both of said longitudinal locking device and said tilt locking device, said devices moveable between their respective released and engaged positions with movement of said control lever; said longitudinal locking device having first and second members each having interengaging chamfers, said second member coupled to and moveable with movement of said control lever, said second member chamfer operatively disengaged with said first member chamfer in said longitudinal locking device released position, said second member chamfer operatively engaged with said first member chamfer in said longitudinal locking member engaged position, said first member having an engagement surface abutting said abutment surface of said inner jacket in said longitudinal locking device engaged position, said engagement surface of said first member being complementary in configuration with said abutment surface of said inner jacket, said chamfer of said first member is disposed on an opposing side of said first member from said engagement surface, said second member includes a ramp disposed on an opposing side of said second member from said chamfer of said second member with said ramp engaging said outer jacket; and wherein said engagement and abutment surfaces are inclined and are substantially parallel to each other and said axis, and said first member and said inner jacket are in frictionally secured engagement in said longitudinal locking device engaged position.