Patent ID: 6659504
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A locking system for an adjustable steering column of a vehicle having adjustment components which are relatively movable to permit adjustment of the position of the column, said locking system comprising:a fixed bracket having a set of forward bracket teeth associated with rake adjustment components of the column; a tooth lock having teeth opposing the forward bracket teeth, a traverse rake bolt associated with said tooth lock, said rake bolt being rotatable between a first rotative position for moving the teeth of the tooth lock out of engagement with teeth of the bracket, and a second rotative position permitting relative movement of the tooth lock forward toward the teeth of the bracket; an actuator constantly acting forwardly on the tooth lock for positively moving the tooth lock forward toward the bracket teeth to a locking position in which the teeth of the tooth lock are engaged with the bracket teeth when the rake bolt is in the second rotative position; and a device operable in response to application of an impact force on the column in a collision event in a direction to collapse the column for moving the rake bolt forwardly relative to the tooth lock when in the locked position into abutting engagement with the tooth lock for positively retaining the tooth lock in the locking position.