Patent ID: 7695017
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: B62D,F16F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A steering column assembly for a vehicle having a support structure, said assembly comprising: an outer jacket adapted to be mounted to the support structure, a steering shaft movably supported within said jacket for rotation relative to said jacket, a retainer fixedly coupled to said outer jacket and disposed about said shaft said retainer including a track, and a dampener non-rotatably mounted to said retainer and defining a passageway with said shaft extending through said passageway and rotatable within said passageway, said dampener including guide surfaces slideable within said track for movement of said dampener along an axis, said dampener having a portion abutting said shaft and applying a frictional force between said dampener and said shaft against rotation of said shaft within said passageway relative to said dampener.