Patent ID: 6460427
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A tilting and telescoping steering column assembly comprising:a housing configured for attachment to a vehicle support structure, said housing including a longitudinally extending internal rack; a telescope sleeve slidably positioned within the housing and including a telescope gear member engaged with the internal rack, said telescope gear member being lockable and unlockable by a pawl for selective telescoping of the telescope sleeve; a steering column shaft pivotally connected to the sleeve about a pivot axis and extending out of the sleeve to receive a steering wheel; a mechanical advantage arm connected to the steering column shaft and extending into the sleeve in a direction opposite the steering column shaft with respect to the pivot axis, said arm having a distal end with at least one locking feature; a tilt locking mechanism secured to the sleeve and engageable with said locking feature to position the steering column shaft in a desired tilt position; and an operating lever connected to the pawl and tilt locking mechanism by a linkage including a first portion which is pivotally movable with the steering column shaft and a second portion connected to the pawl and tilt locking mechanism, said linkage including a slidable link member between said first and second portions and supported in a position intersected by the pivot axis, said linkage being operatively associated with an arcuate slot member and slot follower pin to accommodate pivotal movement of the first portion with respect to the second portion.