Patent ID: 8056437
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising: a support bracket for attachment to the vehicle; a column jacket coupled to said support bracket and moveable in at least one of a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis and a pivotable direction relative to said support bracket about a pivot axis; a locking mechanism interconnecting said support bracket and said column jacket and moveable between a lock position restricting said movement of said column jacket and a release position permitting said moment of said column jacket; a motor coupled to said column jacket and having an output shaft rotatable about a primary axis in a single rotational direction; a linkage interconnecting said output shaft of said motor and said locking mechanism and actuated by said rotation of said output shaft in said single rotational direction to move said locking mechanism in alternating fashion between said lock position and said release position, said linkage including a plate and a lever, said plate having a generally smooth outer perimeter, said plate attached to and concentric with said output shaft and extending radially outward from said output shaft for rotation with said output shaft, and said lever mounted to said locking mechanism and coupled to said plate, said plate configured to rotate about said primary axis to move said lever in a back and forth motion transverse to said primary axis.