Patent ID: 8443695
Filing Date: 2013-05-21
Classification: B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An adjustable steering column assembly comprising: a lever arm having a first mounting interface, said lever arm being manually repositionable between a first position and a second position; an adjustment assembly member operably coupled with the steering column assembly, said adjustment assembly member having a second mounting interface; engagement of said first and second mounting interfaces mounting said lever arm on said adjustment assembly member wherein repositioning of said lever arm between said first and second positions rotates said adjustment assembly member about a rotational axis to thereby facilitate the repositioning of the steering column assembly; at least one securement member operably coupled with said lever arm and said adjustment assembly member, said securement member biasing said first and second mounting interfaces into engagement; one of said lever arm and said adjustment assembly member defining slot having a closed perimeter, said slot defining a first portion with a width and an extending length between a first end and a second end, said slot having a second portion with a second width and a second extending length between a first end portion and a second end portion, said extending length of said first portion transverse to and intersecting said second extending length of said second portion within said closed perimeter, said securement member extending through said slot; and wherein applying a breakaway force exceeding a threshold value to said lever arm is configured to displace said securement member along said length of said slot toward said second end, said width of said slot at said second end being configured to facilitate movement of said securement member through said width of said second end to disengage said mounted lever arm from said adjustment assembly member.