Patent ID: 6357318
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A steering column comprising:a steering column member connectable with a steering wheel and rotatable to turn steerable vehicle wheels; a support tube circumscribing said steering column member and supporting said steering column member for rotation about a longitudinal axis of said steering column member; first and second clamping members engageable with said support tube, said support tube and said steering column member extending between said first and second clamping members and being axially movable relative to said first and second clamping members, said first and second clamping members being movable toward each other to clamp said support tube to prevent movement of said support tube and said steering column member relative to said first and second clamping members; a mounting bracket for connecting said steering column to a vehicle frame, said mounting bracket having first and second side walls; a pivot shaft pivotally connecting said first and second clamping members to said mounting bracket; and a locking mechanism for pressing said first and second clamping members toward each other to clamp said support tube and prevent axial movement of said support tube and said steering column member relative to said first and second clamping members and for locking said first and second clamping members in one of a plurality of pivot positions relative to said mounting bracket, said locking mechanism having a locking shaft extending through said first and second clamping members and through said first and second side walls.