Patent ID: 7861615
Filing Date: 2011-01-04
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising: a column jacket defining a longitudinal axis and moveable in a telescoping direction and a tilting direction; a first bracket having a pair of first arms coupled to said column jacket with each of said first arms defining a telescoping slot extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis with said telescoping slot having a first tooth rack; a second bracket disposed about said first bracket and having a pair of second arms each defining a tilting slot extending substantially transverse to and spaced from said telescoping slot with said tilting slot having a second tooth rack; a pivot shaft defining a pivot axis substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis with said pivot shaft disposed through said telescoping and tilting slots of each of said first and second arms along said pivot axis; a first locking member and a second locking member mounted to said pivot shaft and moveable along said pivot axis between a locked position for preventing movement of said column jacket in said telescoping and tilting directions and an unlocked position for allowing movement of said column jacket in said telescoping and tilting directions; and said first and second locking members each having a first locking surface substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and a second locking surface substantially transverse to said longitudinal and pivot axes with said first and second locking surfaces disposed in said telescoping and tilting slots, respectively when in said locked position such that said first locking surface of each of said first and second locking members engage said first tooth rack of each of said first arms and said second locking surface of each of said first and second locking members engage said second tooth rack of each of said second arms for preventing movement of said column jacket in said telescoping and tilting directions; wherein each of said first and second locking members include an inner surface and an opposite outer surface, wherein each of said inner surfaces face each other, said inner and said opposite outer surfaces are located in a plane transverse to said pivot axis; at least one cam surface located on each of said opposite outer surfaces.