Patent ID: 7882761
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. An adjustable steering column assembly having a steering shaft and being securable to a support structure within a vehicle, said assembly comprising: a jacket member defining a jacket axis, the steering shaft extending through said jacket member, said jacket member and the steering shaft being adjustably pivotal together about a tilt axis, pivotal movement of said jacket axis defining a central plane positioned substantially perpendicular to said tilt axis; a compression member having an axially elongate slot extending through said compression member in a direction substantially transverse to said central plane, the compression member being a bar coupled to a portion of the jacket member and extending in a direction parallel to the jacket axis, the bar having a thickness less than a radius of the jacket member in a direction perpendicular to the jacket axis; first and second opposing sidewalls positioned on opposite sides of said compression member wherein one of said compression member and said first and second opposing sidewalls is fixed relative to the vehicle structure and the other of said compression member and said first and second opposing sidewalls is fixed relative to said jacket member; said first and second sidewalls each have an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface and respectively define first and second passages extending between said inward and outward facing surfaces; first and second spacers, each of said first and second spacers defining a channel extending therethrough; an elongate locking member extending through said first and second passages, said channels defined by said first and second spacers and said axially elongate slot defined by said compression member wherein said first and second spacers are located on opposite sides of said compression member between said compression member and a respective one of said first and second opposing sidewalls; first and second abutment surfaces, said first abutment surface engageable with said outwardly facing surface of said first sidewall, said second abutment surface engageable with said outwardly facing surface of said second sidewall, said elongate locking member being operably coupled with said first and second abutment surfaces wherein forces biasing said first and second abutment surfaces apart place said elongate locking member in tension; and an actuator assembly operably coupled with said first and second abutment surfaces, said actuator assembly being moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position wherein movement of said actuator assembly moves said steering column assembly between an unlocked position wherein said first and second abutment surfaces define a first distance therebetween, and a locked position wherein said first and second abutment surfaces define a second distance therebetween, said first distance being greater than said second distance wherein, in said locked position, said first and second abutment surfaces exert a compressive force on said first and second opposing sidewalls whereby said first and second sidewalls deflect inwardly and compressively secure said compression member between said first and second spacers and thereby inhibit relative movement of said compressive member and said first and second sidewalls and wherein, in said unlocked position, the compressive force exerted by said first and second abutment surfaces is reduced to thereby permit relative movement of said compressive member and said first and second sidewalls and wherein a combined length of said first and second spacers between said first and second abutment surfaces defines a third length.