Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for fixing an at least height-adjustable steering column. The device includes a clamping device provided with a clamping element having an open position in which the height adjustment is released. When the clamping element passes from the opening position thereof to the closed position thereof, toothings engage with each other. A blocking element has a blocking position in which it blocks the lifting of the counter-fixing part from the fixing part, maintaining the engagement of the toothings, and a release position in which the counter-fixing part can be lifted from the fixing part. A coupling is provided between the clamping element and the blocking element During the displacement of the clamping element from the closed position to the open position, the blocking element assumes the release position only if the clamping element has already authorised the lifting of the counter-fixing part from the fixing part by the force of at least one spring in so far as the toothings thereof are no longer engaged.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     a) Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a securement device of an at least height-adjustable steering column, with an openable and closable locking means, which comprises a locking member adjustable via an adjustment path between an open and a closed position, in the open position of which toothings of at least one securement part and at least of one securement counterpart are spaced apart from one another and the height adjustment is enabled and with the adjustment of which from its open position into its closed position the toothings move against the force of at least one spring acting between the securement part and the securement counterpart toward one another in a closure direction and come into engagement with one another. 
     b) Description of Related Art 
     Adjustable steering columns are known in different embodiments. In the case of steering columns comprising height adjustment, the height of the steering wheel is adjustable over a certain range, an adjustment of the inclination of the steering column taking place in its section adjoining the steering wheel. Such adjustable steering columns frequently include a length adjustment in addition. 
     To fix the shell tube housing and supporting the steering spindle in the closed state of the locking means various mechanisms can be employed, for example disk packs acting in the manner of a multiple disk clutch are employed for this purpose. Securement devices are furthermore known which comprise for this purpose securement parts with toothings which can be brought into engagement with one another. The adjustment of the steering column in such securement devices in the open state of the locking means runs extremely smoothly and, in the closed state of the locking means, high holding forces can be applied. Such securement devices with toothed parts engaging one another in the closed state of the securement device are disclosed for example in EP 0 836 981 B1 and EP 0 755 842 B1. To close the locking means a locking member is swivelled, which herein is displaced in the axial direction of a locking bolt, through a connecting link, the link cooperating with the locking member, which has oblique faces, whereupon the locking bolt pulls a securement counterpart having a toothing against a securement part having a toothing. During the opening of the locking member the securement counterpart is raised from the securement part through a spring acting between these two parts, whereby the height adjustment of the steering column is enabled. 
     Further securement devices, in which for fixing the steering column in the closed state of a locking means toothings of a securement part and of a securement counterpart are brought into engagement with one another, are disclosed inter alia in EP 0 440 403 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,759 A, EP 0 125 333 B1 and EP 0 139 295 B1. The last two of these documents show so-called “head tilt steering columns” in which the swivel axis for the inclination adjustment of the steering column is located in comparative proximity to the steering wheel. Thereby a relatively large height adjustment range of the steering wheel can be provided. Such head tilt steering columns conventionally comprise a spring, which, with the opening of the locking means, pulls the steering column into its end position in which it is swivelled completely upwardly, whereby the entering and exiting of the driver is facilitated. Problematic is herein that the teeth of the toothings ratchet along one another during the opening of the locking means, in particular if this takes place slowly, through the springs pulling upwardly the part of the steering spindle adjacent to the steering wheel. This leads to an unpleasant noise and to the wear-and-tear of the teeth. This problem may also occur in steering columns without such part of the steering spindle adjacent to the steering wheel or of the spring acting upon the shell tube section supporting the steering spindle, if the height of the steering column is adjusted before the locking means has been completely opened. 
     With securement devices having toothings the problem may occur that the tips of the teeth of the opposing toothings are directly opposite one another (“tooth-on-tooth position”), when the locking means is to be closed, whereby the securement device cannot be closed correctly but rather first a certain movement of the steering column is required. Various devices have already been proposed by means of which the impacting of the tooth tips when closing the locking means is to be prevented. Such devices are for example described in DE 198 39 496 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,759 A, DE 39 14 608 C1, EP 0 796 780 A2 and DE 198 46 292. 
     OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention addresses the problem of providing a securement device of the above described type, which exhibits better behavior during opening, wherein in particular a ratcheting along one another of the toothings of the securement part and of the securement counterpart is to be reduced or, as much as possible, excluded. 
     According to the invention this is attained through a securement device comprising:
         at least one securement part with at least one toothing;   at least one securement counter post with at least one toothing;   an openable and closable locking means comprising a locking member adjustable over an adjustment path between an open and a closed position, in whose open position the toothing of the at least one securement part and of the at least one securement counterpart are spaced apart from one another and the height adjustment is enabled and with the adjustment of which from its open position into its closed position the toothings move toward one another into a closure direction against the force of a of at least one spring acting between the securement part and securement counterpart and come into engagement with one another,   at least one blocking member which assumes a blocking position, in which it blocks the lifting of the securement counterpart from the securement part and keeps the toothings in their engagement, and a release position, in which the securement counterpart can be lifted from the securement part and the toothings can be brought out of engagement,   wherein a coupling between the locking member and the blocking member exists, by which the blocking member with an adjustment of the locking member, starting from its closed position in the direction of its open position, over a first portion of the adjustment path of the locking member is in the blocking position and, with a further adjustment of the locking member in the direction of its open position, a movement of the blocking member into its release position takes place, the blocking member only assuming the release position if the locking member has already enabled the lifting of the securement counterpart from the securement part through the force of the at least one spring so far that their toothings come to be disengaged.       

     Consequently, according to the invention, in addition to the locking member, which is adjustable between an open position and a closed position, at least one blocking member is provided which assumes a blocking position, in which it blocks a lifting of the securement counterpart from the securement part and retains the toothing in the engaged state, and a release position, in which the securement counterpart can be lifted from the securement part and the toothings can be made to disengage. The fundamental concept of the invention lies in the cooperation between the locking member and the blocking member. During the opening of the locking member, starting from its closed position, the securement counterpart, without the presence of the blocking member, would gradually (continuously) lift from the securement part until, at a certain position of the locking member, the toothings are finally entirely disengaged. However, up to this position of the locking member, the blocking member blocks the securement counterpart from lifting off the securement part. Only when the locking member already enables the lifting of the securement counterpart from the securement part so far that their toothings can become disengaged, does the blocking member through a coupling with the locking member reach its release position and thereby enables the lifting of the securement counterpart from the securement part. Through the force of the at least one spring, the toothings become raised comparatively quickly so far from one another that they are no longer engaged with one another, whereby clattering or ratcheting of the teeth along one another is at least largely prevented. 
     The transition of the blocking member between the blocking position and the release position is advantageously abrupt. That means, that with an opening of the locking member, starting from its closed position, the blocking member is initially in its blocking position and specifically up to a preset point of the adjustment path of the locking member. Preferably immediately after passing of this point, the blocking member is in the release position. At least the path of the locking member, via which a change of the state of the blocking member between the blocking position and the release position takes place, is significantly smaller than the entire adjustment path of the locking member, preferably smaller than ⅕ of the entire adjustment path of the locking member, and a value of less than 1/10 is especially preferred. 
     The coupling between the locking member and the blocking member brings about that the locking member during its opening moves the blocking member from its blocking position into its release position (directly or indirectly via an interspaced transmission member). When closing the locking member, starting from its open position, the blocking member can also be moved into its blocking position through the locking member or for this purpose a spring acting on the blocking member in the direction of its closed position can be provided, as will be explained in further detail in the description of the figures. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the locking member is supported for the adjustment between its closed position and its open position and conversely such that it is swivellable over a swivel range. This swivel range or angular range in this case forms the adjustment path of the locking member. 
     In an advantageous embodiment the blocking member is supported swivellably for the movement between its blocking position and its release position. 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the blocking member has a contact face, which, in the blocking position for blocking the lifting of the securement counterpart from the securement part, lies in contact on a contact counterface of the securement counterpart or of a counterpressure part. Through cooperating steps of the stop face and the counterstop face an abrupt transition between the blocking position and the release position of the blocking member results. Instead of steps, it would also be conceivable and possible to provide oblique faces with a sufficiently steep inclination (greater than 45) such that a still sufficiently abrupt transition between the blocked position and the release position always results. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the invention for the coupling between the locking member and the blocking member, the locking member comprises an abutment or stop, which, during the adjustment of the locking member, starting from its closed position, in the direction of its open position in the course of the first portion of the adjustment path (preferably in an end region of the same) abuts a counterstop of the blocking member and subsequently entrains the blocking member such that after this first portion of the adjustment path of the locking member it reaches its release position. 
     Further advantages and details of the invention will be explained in the following in conjunction with the attached drawing. In the drawing depict: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings depict: 
         FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  perspective representation from different viewing angles of a steering column with a first embodiment of an inventive securement device, 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  perspective representation analogous to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , partially in exploded view, 
         FIG. 5  a view, direction of viewing A in  FIG. 1 , without the shell tube and the steering spindle, 
         FIG. 6  a section along line B-B of  FIG. 5 , in the closed position of the locking member, 
         FIG. 7  a section corresponding to  FIG. 6 , however in an intermediate position of the locking member during the opening of the same, 
         FIG. 8  a section corresponding to  FIG. 6 , however in the open position of the locking member, 
         FIG. 9  a section corresponding to  FIG. 6 , however in an intermediate position during the closing of the locking member, 
         FIG. 10  a perspective representation of the locking bolt, 
         FIG. 11  a perspective representation of the blocking member, 
         FIG. 12  a perspective representation of sections of the securement part and of the securement counterpart, in the opened state of the securement device, 
         FIG. 13  a side view of the parts of  FIG. 12 , 
         FIG. 14  a top view onto the securement counterpart, viewing direction C in  FIG. 13 , 
         FIG. 15  an illustration corresponding to  FIG. 12 , in the closed state of the securement device, 
         FIG. 16  a side view corresponding to  FIG. 13 , in the closed state of the securement device, 
         FIG. 17  a section along line D-D of  FIG. 16 , 
         FIG. 18  a perspective representation of a steering column of the type “head tilt steering column” with a second embodiment of a securement device according to the invention, 
         FIG. 19  a perspective representation of the steering column of  FIG. 18  from a different viewing angle (and without steering wheel), 
         FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21  perspective representations corresponding to  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 , partially in exploded view, 
         FIG. 22  a representation corresponding to  FIG. 21 , however in further exploded view, 
         FIG. 23  and  FIG. 24  a top view and a view from below of the steering column of  FIG. 18 , 
         FIG. 25  a section along line E-E of  FIG. 23 , 
         FIG. 26  a partial section along line F-F of  FIG. 25 , 
         FIGS. 27 to 29  side views of the steering column in the center position ( FIG. 27 ), in the position swivelled up completely ( FIG. 28 ) and in the position swivelled down completely ( FIG. 29 ), 
         FIG. 30  a steering column of the type “head tilt steering column” with a securement device according to a third embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 31  a partial section along line G-G of  FIG. 30  without the steering spindle housed in the shell tube, 
         FIG. 32  a section along line H-H of  FIG. 30 , 
         FIG. 33  and  FIG. 34  perspective representations of the steering column of  FIG. 30 , partially in exploded view, 
         FIG. 35  a perspective representation of a portion of the securement device comprising the locking member and the blocking member, in the closed state of the securement device, 
         FIG. 36  a detail I of  FIG. 35 , 
         FIG. 37  a perspective representation corresponding to  FIG. 35 , however in the opened state of the securement device, 
         FIG. 38  a detail K of  FIG. 37 , 
         FIG. 39  a perspective representation of the locking member with a section of the operating lever (open position), 
         FIG. 40  a perspective representation of the press-on lever from below, 
         FIG. 41  and  FIG. 42  a view from below and a side view of the securement counterpart. 
     
    
    
     The Figures are drawn to different scales. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A first embodiment example of the invention will be explained in the following in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 to 17 . The depicted steering column is height adjustable (=inclination adjustable) as well as also length adjustable (=adjustable in the axial direction), the directions of the height adjustment and the length adjustment being indicated by the double arrows  7 ,  8 . 
     The steering column includes a steering spindle  9  comprised of several sections, whose end section adjacent to the steering wheel is rotatably supported in a shell tube  10  and at whose end a steering wheel, not shown in  FIGS. 1 to 17 , can be attached. The shell tube  10  is supported by a console unit  11 , which can be secured in position on the vehicle chassis. The console unit  11  has two side jaws extending on both sides of the shell tube  10  in the downward direction, the one side jaw  12  displaceably supporting a counterpressure part  13  and the other side jaw forming a securement part  3 , as will be explained in greater detail below. During the height adjustment of the steering column a swivelling is effected about a swivel axis  65 . of the end piece adjacent to the steering wheel, of the steering spindle. 
     The steering column has a securement device, through which the adjustability of the steering column can be blocked. For this purpose toothings  14 - 17  of the securement part  3  and of a securement counterpart  4  are brought into engagement with one another. A locking means (locking device) is provided in order to bring the toothings  14 - 17  through the displacement of the securement counterpart  4  toward the securement part  3  (in the direction of closure  6 ) into engagement with one another. In the opened state of the locking means the toothings  14 - 17 , in contrast, are out of engagement and the securement counterpart  4  is displaceable with respect to the securement part  3  in a displacement direction  5 , the end section adjacent to the steering wheel of the steering spindle  9  being entrained in the direction of the height adjustment  7 . The displacement direction  5  points in the direction of a tangent of an imaginary circle extending about the swivel axis  65 . In the depicted embodiment the displacement direction  5  lies parallel to the direction of the height adjustment  7 . 
     The securement part  3  is nondisplaceable in the displacement direction  5 . In the depicted embodiment example it is also nondisplaceable in the direction of the length adjustment  8 . 
     The locking device comprises a locking bolt  18 , which, on the side remote from the securement counterpart  4 , has an end piece  19  rectangular in cross section. The locking bolt  18  penetrates the side jaw  12  and the side jaw forming the securement part  3  of the console unit through openings  20 ,  21 , which are formed as elongated holes extending in the direction of the height adjustment and in which the locking bolt  18  is displaceable with respect to the console unit in the direction of the height adjustment  7 . The shell tube  10  is penetrated by locking bolt  18  through an elongated hole cutout  22  extending in the direction of length adjustment  8 . On the end opposite the end piece  19  a nut  23  is screwed onto outer threads of the locking bolt  18 , via which by the locking bolt  18  with the interposition of a flat washer  24  tension can be exerted onto the securement counterpart  4  which the locking bolt penetrates through a bore  25 . 
     The securement counterpart  4  comprises a basic body  26 , which in this embodiment has recesses in which two toothed strips  27  are secured in position, each of which is provided with two toothings  16 ,  17 , as will be explained more precisely below. The basic body  26  and the toothed strips  27  can also be formed integrally. 
     In the securement part  3  on both sides of the opening  21 , extending in the direction of the height adjustment  7 , guide webs  28  are disposed also extending in the direction of the height adjustment  7 , which webs guide with tolerance the basic body  26  in the open position of the locking means in the direction of the height adjustment  7  and secure it with tolerance against twisting. The basic body can additionally, or instead, comprise noses  29  disposed above and below the bore  25  and extending into opening  21 . In the securement part  3  on both sides of opening  21  extend two toothings  14 ,  15  each in the direction of the height adjustment  7 , whose formation will be explained in greater detail below. The length of the toothings  14 ,  15  is greater than that of toothings  16 ,  17 . 
     A spring  30  exerts a force acting against the closure direction  6  and in terms of a lifting of the securement counterpart  4  from the securement part  3  onto these two parts  3 ,  4  (in the axial direction of the locking bolt  18 ). 
     On the end piece  19  of the locking bolt  18  is supported a locking member  1 , and specifically such that it is swivellable about an axis  31  perpendicular to the closure direction  6 . For this purpose, a swivel pin  32  is secured in position in a bore  33  in end piece  19 , which extends through openings in fork extensions  34  of the locking member  1 . With a foot section of the locking member  1 , from which extend the fork extensions  34 , is connected an operating arm  35  with an operating grip  36 . Onto the locking member  1  acts a spring  37  into its open position depicted in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the spring  37  being stayed, on the one hand, on the operating arm  35 , and on the other hand, on a pin  38  disposed on the end piece  19 . Helical sections of the spring  37  encompass rollers  39  located on the swivel pin  32 . 
     The fork extensions  34  have at their end face two press-on faces  40 ,  41  disposed at an angle with respect to one another, the angle between these two press-on faces preferably being in the range between 120 and 160. Instead of via an edge, the press-on faces  40 ,  41  can also be connected via an arc and the formation of a single arched press-on face is conceivable and possible. The press-on faces  40 ,  41  cooperate with the surface of the counterpressure part  13  facing the locking member  1 . Through a bore this counterpressure part  13  is penetrated by the locking bolt  18 , and this bore has a rectangular cross section and a section of the end piece  19  of locking bolt  18  is located in this bore in order to secure the locking bolt  18  against twisting about its axis. The counterpressure part  13  is supported so as to be displaceable with respect to a side jaw  12  in the direction of the height adjustment  7 , and the counterpressure part  13  is secured against twisting about the longitudinal axis of the locking bolt  18  with respect to the side jaw  12 . For this purpose, the counterpressure part  13  is received in a cavity in the side jaw  12  whose lateral walls have only a slight tolerance with respect to the side edges of the counterpressure part rectangular in aspect. In addition (or instead), the counterpressure part has for its securement against twisting noses  42  located above and below the opening for the locking bolt  18  and projecting into opening  20 . 
     The locking member  1  also has a web spanning the fork extensions  34  in the proximity of their free ends, which web forms a stop  43 . 
     On the swivel pin  32 , a blocking member  2  is supported such that it is swivellable and located between the end piece  19  and the lower fork extension  34  of locking member  1  and has a bore  44  penetrated by swivel pin  32 . The blocking member  2  has an extension (cf. for example  FIG. 6 ) on which strikes a spring  46 . The spring  46  is stayed, on the other hand, in a spring canister  47  which is fastened by a pin  48  on the end piece  19  (as is evident in particular in  FIG. 10 ). Instead of spring  46 , a torsion spring can, for example, also be employed, which acts onto the blocking member  2 . 
     The blocking member  2  is movable between a blocking position, in which it blocks the lifting of the securement counterpart  4  from the securement part  3  and keeps the toothings  14 - 17  engaged, and a release position, in which the securement counterpart  4  can be lifted from the securement part  3  and the toothings  14 ,  15  and  16 ,  17  can be disengaged. The blocking member  2  has a nose  49 , which at the end side has a contact face  50 . In the blocking position of the blocking member  2 , the disengagement of the toothings  14  to  17  is prevented through the contact of the contact face  50  of nose  49  on the contact counterface  51 , which is formed by the end face of a nose  52  disposed on the counterpressure part  13 . The contact face  50  and the contact counterface  51  end at steps  53 ,  54 . As soon as the blocking member  2  has been swivelled so far that the contact face  50  has been transported via the step  54  of the counterpressure part or the contact counterface  51  via the step  53  of the blocking member ( FIG. 8 ), the blocking member  2  is in its release position. 
     The opening and closing process of the locking means consequently proceeds in the following manner: 
     In the closed position of the locking member  1  ( FIGS. 1 to 6 ), the press-on face  40  of the locking member  1  is stayed on the counterpressure part  13 , whereby the securement counterpart  4  via the locking bolt  18  against the force of spring  30  is brought with its toothings  16 ,  17  into engagement with the toothings  14 ,  15  in the securement part  3  (cf.  FIG. 6 ). The locking member  1  is brought through the action of spring  37  into the closed position. In the closed position of the locking member  1 , the contact face  50  of nose  49  of the blocking member  2  has a small distance from the contact counterface  51 , which in any case is smaller than the tooth heights of the toothings  14  to  17 , preferably smaller than one half the tooth heights. 
     With an adjustment of the locking member  1 , starting from its closed position in the direction of its open position by swivelling operating arm  35 , first the contact face  50  of nose  49  comes to rest on the contact counterface  51 . Subsequently, the edge between the press-on faces  40 ,  41  is increasingly raised from the surface of the counterpressure part  13  until the intermediate position evident in  FIG. 7  has been reached. At this intermediate position according to  FIG. 7 , the stop  43  of locking member  1  has just come into contact on the edge of the extension  45  of blocking member  2 , which forms a counterstop  115 . With the further swivelling of operating arm  35  (i.e. a further adjustment of the locking member  1  in the direction of its open position), the stop  43  entrains the blocking member  2  (tensioning the spring  46 ). Step  53  of nose  49  is thereby guided in the direction toward step  54  of nose  52  of the counterpressure part  13 , and initially the blocking position of blocking member  2  is still present. As long as step  53  of nose  49  has not yet reached step  54  of nose  52 , the blocking member  2  is in its blocking position. As soon as step  53  of nose  49  has reached step  54  of nose  52 , nose  49  snaps past nose  52  (through the force of spring  30 ) and the securement counterpart  4  lift off the securement part  3  against the closure direction  6 . This occurs if the swivel position depicted in hatched form in  FIG. 7  of the operating arm  35  or of the blocking member  2  has been passed. Starting at this position of blocking member  2 , the blocking member  2  is in its release position. The adjustment path (which in the present embodiment example represents an angular range) up to this position of the blocking member  2  is denoted by the letter d in  FIG. 7 . 
     Shortly thereafter, the complete open position of the locking member is reached, which is shown in  FIG. 8 . At this time, the press-on face  41  abuts the surface of the counterpressure part  13 . Swivelling the locking member  1  further is subsequently blocked by a (not shown) stop. The entire adjustment path is denoted in  FIG. 8  by the letter e. The difference between the first portion of the adjustment path d and the complete adjustment path e may be, for example, 2°. 
     In the open position of the locking member  1 , the securement counterpart  4  can be displaced with respect to the securement part  3  into the displacement direction  5 , during which a height adjustment of the steering column is carried out. A spring may also be provided, which swivels the steering column upwardly in the opened state of the locking means. 
     In the resetting of the locking member  1 , starting from its open position in the direction of its closed position, the locking member  1  (and with it the blocking member  2 ), by placing the edge in contact between the press-on faces  40 ,  41  on the surface of the counterpressure part  13  that is continuously displaced in the closure direction  6 , the securement counterpart  4  is continuously displaced by the locking bolt  18  in the closure direction  6 . While the stop  43  lifts from the counterstop  115  of the extension  45  of the blocking member  2  as soon as the step  53  comes to rest in contact on step  54 , however, initially the blocking member, due to the contact of step  53  on step  54  remains in its release position, and specifically via portion f of the adjustment path ( FIG. 9 ). Only shortly before the locking member  1  reaches its closed position (for example in the range of two to five degrees of angle before the closed position) step  53  is raised over step  54  and the blocking member  2  is moved through the force of spring  46  into its blocking position. The swivelling of the blocking member  2  is here limited by the contact on the small stop plate  55  of pin  38 . When the locking member  1  has reached its closed position, the starting position according to  FIG. 6  has again been attained. Herein again tolerance between the contact face  50  of nose  49  of blocking member  2  and the contact counterface  51  exists. 
     In the last portion of the adjustment path before the closed position has been reached, the tensile force exerted by the spring  37  onto the locking bolt  18  via the locking member (acting in the manner of a toggle mechanism) has the highest value. 
     In order to make possible the problem-free closing of the locking means at every adjustment position of the height adjustment, the implementation of toothings  14 - 17  can be provided, which will be explained in the following and which is depicted in detail in  FIGS. 12 to 17 . To prevent a “tooth-on-tooth position” other implementations of the toothings or auxiliary devices are also known, for example disclosed in the prior art listed in the introduction. Such implementations of the toothings are also conceivable and possible. 
     In the depicted embodiment of the toothings, the two toothed strips  27  of the securement counterpart  4  each has a first and a second toothing  16 ,  17 , which cooperate with first and second toothings  14 ,  15  of the securement part  3 . Each of the toothings  14 - 17  have a row of teeth  56 - 59 , whose tips extend along straight lines perpendicular to the displacement direction  5 . All of the teeth  56 - 59  have the same distance a from one another. The tips of teeth  58  of the first toothing  16  of the securement counterpart  4  are in a common plane  62 , the tips of teeth  59  of the second toothing  17  of securement counterpart  4  are also in a common plane  63 . The tips of teeth  56 ,  57  of toothings  14 ,  15  of securement part  4  are also each in planes  60 ,  61 . 
     The planes  62 ,  63  of toothings  16 ,  17  of the securement counterpart, like the planes  60 ,  61  of toothings  14 ,  15  of the securement part, are disposed in V-shape with respect to one another and form with each other identical angles  64 . In the depicted embodiment example, the toothings  16 ,  17  of securement counterpart  4  form together a type of arrow toothing and the toothings  14 ,  15  of the securement part an indentation which on cross section has the shape of a V. The plane  62  is parallel to plane  60  and plane  63  is parallel to plane  61 . 
     There is no offset between teeth  58 ,  59  of toothings  16 ,  17  of securement counterpart  4  in the displacement direction  5 , as is evident in the section according to  FIG. 17 . 
     This means the tips of teeth  58 ,  59  are located at the same sites with respect to a line extending parallel to the displacement direction  5 , or, expressed differently, for a particular tip of a tooth  58  there exists a straight connection line extending to a tip of tooth  59 , which connection line is perpendicular to the displacement direction  5 . 
     In contrast, between teeth  56 ,  57  of toothings  14 ,  15  of securement part  3  there is an offset v, i.e. the tips of these teeth  56 ,  57  are not at the same sites with respect to a line extending parallel to the displacement direction  5 . The offset v in this embodiment example is just one half the distance a between two successive teeth  56 ,  57 . It could also be said that the toothings  14 ,  15  of the securement part are phase-shifted with respect to one another, and specifically in this embodiment example phase-shifted by 90 (corresponding to one half tooth) while teeth  58 ,  59  of securement counterpart  4  have the same phase position. 
     As a consequence, the teeth  58 ,  59  of securement counterpart  4  cannot simultaneously assume a head-to-head position with teeth  56  as well as also with teeth  57  of securement part  3 . If the teeth of one of the opposing toothings  14 ,  16  or  15 ,  17  assume a head-to-head position, the teeth of the other opposing toothings  14 ,  16  or  15 ,  17  have precisely their maximum engagement with one another. In  FIG. 17  one of the possible intermediate positions is shown. Depending on the position of teeth  56 - 59  with respect to one another, a slight displacement of the securement counterpart  4  takes place with respect to the securement part  3  perpendicularly to the displacement direction  5  and perpendicularly to the closure direction  6  (to the left and right in  FIG. 17 ). This displacement of the securement counterpart  4  with respect to the securement part  3  automatically takes place during the closing of the locking means, since between the locking bolt  18  and the securement counterpart  4  and/or between the locking bolt  18  and the securement part  3  there is overall sufficient tolerance. 
     In this way the step-less adjustment and securement of the steering spindle  9  in the direction of the height adjustment  7  is possible. 
     Different modifications of toothings  14 - 17  are conceivable and possible. For example, instead of teeth  56 ,  57 , teeth  58 ,  59  could also have a phase shift. For example, on each side of the locking bolt  18 , instead of two toothings, only one toothing could be provided, the toothings on both sides of the locking bolt being disposed in the shape of a V and the teeth of toothings on both sides of the locking bolt, again, being phase shifted on the securement part and/or in the securement counterpart. 
     With the nut  23 , the position of the securement counterpart  4  can be set with respect to the locking bolt  18  such that in the closed position of the locking member  1  precisely no tolerance between toothings  14 - 17  is present. 
     In the closed state of the locking means, furthermore, the side jaw  12  and the side jaw of the console unit  11  forming the securement counterpart  4  are pressed onto the side faces of the shell tube  10  whereby the length adjustment of the steering column is blocked. 
     In the embodiment example according to  FIGS. 18 to 29  the steering column is formed as a head tilt steering column and the shell tube  10  is here formed of several tube pieces, which are denoted as sections  67 ,  68  and  81  of the shell tube. The shell tube  10  here includes a section  67  adjacent to the steering wheel  66  and a section  68  further removed from the steering wheel  66 , the sections  67 ,  68  being swivellable about the swivel axis  69  with respect to one another and each housing a section of the steering spindle  9 , which, in the proximity of the swivel axis  69  are connected with one another through a universal joint  70 . The section  68  of shell tube  10  is fastened via a mounting flange  71  on the chassis of the vehicle. Between sections  67 ,  68  of shell tube  10  beneath the swivel axis  69  springs  72  (cf.  FIG. 24 ) are disposed which, in the opened state of the locking means, swivel the swivellable section  67  of shell tube  10  into its upper end position according to  FIG. 28 . 
     The locking means is implemented analogously to the first embodiment example. Locking member  1  with operating arm  35 , spring  37 , locking bolt  18  and blocking member  2  are herein formed identically. Only the counterpressure part  13  is modified and guided displaceably along a circular arc in a guide indentation  73  in section  68  of the shell tube (and it is again secured against twisting). The opening for the passage of locking bolt  18  and nose  52  are implemented as previously described. 
     The end of locking bolt  18  opposite end piece  19  pulls again a securement counterpart  4  against the securement part  3  during the closing of the locking member. The securement part  3  is formed by an insert part in the side jaw  75  of section  68  of shell tube  10 , which section is stationary on the chassis, and the securement part  3  is rigidly connected with side jaw  75 . The locking bolt  18  penetrates the securement part  4 , the side jaw  75  and the opposite side jaw  74  of the chassis-stationary section  68  through arcuate cutouts such that during the height adjustment of the steering wheel  66  it is displaceable with respect to these parts. 
     Locking bolt  18  furthermore penetrates section  67  of the shell tube through a bore (cf.  FIG. 25 ) and during the swivelling of section  67  moves along with it. 
     The securement counterpart  4  is spaced apart from securement part  3  through spring  30  in the open position of locking member  1 . During a height adjustment of the steering spindle securement counterpart  4  in this embodiment example is displaced with respect to securement part  3  along a circular arc whose center is formed by swivel axis  69  and the displacement direction  5  between the securement part  3  and the securement counterpart  4  represents the tangent on this circular arc at each position of the securement counterpart  4  with respect to the securement part  3 . The toothings  14 - 17  of securement part  3  and securement counterpart  4  are here formed in the shape of an arc (the swivel axis  69  forming the center of the circular arc). The toothings  14 - 17  for the remainder can in principle be implemented analogously to that described in connection with the first embodiment example (cf. in particular the description of  FIGS. 12 to 17 ). The securement part  3  as well as also the securement counterpart  4  comprise each two toothings  14 ,  15  or  16 ,  17 , respectively, the toothings of the securement counterpart in the depicted embodiment example extending in the shape of a V outwardly and those of the securement part  3  in the shape of a V inwardly and, in the depicted embodiment example, the teeth of toothings  16 ,  17  are phase shifted with respect to one another (cf.  FIG. 26 ). Since, when bringing the securement counterpart  4  together with the securement part  3 , at different adjustment positions, due to the forming of the teeth, a certain displacement of the securement counterpart  4  with respect to the securement part  3  in the direction perpendicular to the displacement direction  5  and to the closure direction  6  takes place (as described), the securement counterpart  4  is connected with the swivellable section  67  of shell tube  10  such that its vertical displacement is limited. For this purpose it has an upwardly extending extension  76 , which is guided displaceably in the vertical direction in an indentation  77  of section  67 . The extension  76  includes a cutout  78 , which is formed as an elongated hole cutout and is penetrated by a retaining part  79 , which is pressed into a bore of section  67  and thereby is rigidly connected with section  67 . A journal of the retaining part  79  together with a journal  80 , pressed from the opposite side into a bore of section  67 , forms a swivel bearing for section  67  with respect to section  68 , the journal of retaining part  79  and the journal  80  projecting into bores in section  68  (by interconnecting friction bearing bushings  84 ). 
     The operational function is analogous to that of the first embodiment example. 
     A further embodiment example of the invention is depicted in  FIGS. 30 to 42 . The steering column is again formed as a “head tilt steering column” with a section  67  of shell tube  10  adjacent to the steering wheel, and section  67  is swivellable with respect to a section  68  further apart from the steering wheel, whereby the height adjustment of the steering wheel is achieved. Section  68  is here supported in a further section  81  such that it is displaceable to a limited extent in the axial direction, whereby a length adjustment of the steering column also becomes possible. The section  81  is mounted with (not shown) mounting parts on the chassis of the vehicle and is consequently stationary on the chassis. For the swivelling of section  67  with respect to section  68  these two sections comprise again swivel forks, which are swivellable about the swivel axis  69  with respect to one another. For this purpose on the one side a journal  80  is provided, which is pressed into a bore in the fork of section  68  and projects into a bore in the fork of section  67 , with the interconnection of a friction bearing bushing  84  (cf.  FIG. 32 ). On the other side a knurl  83  of the—in this case axially nondisplaceable—locking bolt  18  is pressed into the fork of the swivellable section  67 , and a section  119 , adjoining the knurl  83 , of the locking bolt projects through a bore in the fork of section  68 , and with the interconnection of a friction bearing bushing  84  ( FIG. 32 ,  34 ). 
     For the sake of clarity only the section of the steering spindle  9  adjoining the steering wheel is shown. 
     Securement part  3  is disposed on a side jaw  85  of the swivellable section  67  and includes again toothings  14 ,  15  with an arcuate course. The securement counterpart  4  comprises an arm extension  86  with guide holes  122 ,  123 , which receive with tolerance noses  120 ,  121  on the outside of the fork of section  68 , whereby the arm extension  86  is secured against swivelling about the swivel axis  69 . However, the securement counterpart  4  has a certain tolerance for the setting of its position in the axial direction of section  68 . For this purpose the bore  88  in the arm extension  86  is greater than the outer diameter of the bushing  89  penetrating bore  88 , which bushing is seated on the knurl  90  of the locking bolt  18 . The friction bearing bushing  84  and bushing  89  each has a collar  91 ,  92  between which lies the arm extension  86  of the securement counterpart  4 , and arm extension  86  is displaceable in the axial direction of locking bolt  18  in the region between collars  91 ,  92 . Thereby, the securement counterpart  4  is movable between its position engaged with the toothings  14 ,  15  of the securement part  3  with its toothings  16 ,  17  and its position lifted from securement part  3  in the axial direction of the locking bolt  18 , which, again, forms the closure direction  6 . 
     Springs  30  disposed between securement part  3  and securement counterpart  4  again cause the spacing of these parts in the opened state of the locking means. 
     In the swivellable section  67  of shell tube  10  furthermore a journal  93  is secured in position, which projects through bores of an operating lever  94  and supports the operating lever such that it is swivellable about the swivel axis  95 . The operating lever, in turn, comprises an operating arm  35  with an operating grip  36 . The operating lever  94  comprises furthermore a lever arm  96  which cooperates with the locking member  1 . 
     Locking member  1  is supported swivellably about axis  31  at an end piece  19  of locking bolt  18 . Locking bolt  18  is here in this embodiment example not formed integrally but rather comprises a main part  124  and the end piece  19  placed onto the main part  124  and secured by means of a nut  97 . To secure the end piece  19  against twisting with respect to the locking bolt serve extensions  98 , which are in contact on flattened portions  99  of locking bolt  18 . With the nut  97  the entire length of the locking bolt  18  (main part  124  plus end piece  19 ) can be set such that in the closed position of the locking member  1  just no tolerance between toothings  14 - 17  and  107 - 110  (which will be described later) exists. 
     Swivellably about the axis  31  is furthermore supported the blocking member  2  and it is acted upon in the direction of its blocking position by a spring  46  disposed between its extension  45  and the end piece  19 . 
     The end piece  96  penetrates a cutout  100  in the counterpressure part  13 . This, on the one hand, is in contact on a press-on lever  101 , which has a circular cutout  102  into which projects a circular extension  103  of the counterpressure part  13  with low tolerance. 
     The press-on lever  101  has a longer lever arm  104  and a shorter lever arm  105  with a support foot  106 , which, in the closed state of the locking means, presses the securement counterpart  4  against the securement part  3 . In the proximity of the free end of the press-on lever  101  are disposed toothings  109 ,  110  ( FIG. 40 ), which cooperate with toothings  107 ,  108  ( FIG. 30 ) on the chassis-stationary section  81  of the shell tube for the interlocking of the length adjustment of the steering column. The toothings  107 - 110  extend in the axial direction of section  81  of the shell tube with teeth extending perpendicularly to this axial direction, the teeth of toothings  107  and  108  and  109  and  110 , respectively, being disposed in the form of a V with respect to one another. Toothings  107 - 110  are formed analogously to the toothings  14 - 17  described in connection with the first embodiment example and their operational function is identical. Thereby, the step-less length adjustment is possible. Other formations of toothings on the lever arm  104  and on section  81  are conceivable and possible. 
     Onto the end of lever arm  104  is placed a slide shoe  111 . A spring  112  serves for spacing the toothings  109 ,  110  apart from toothings  107 ,  108  in the opened state of the locking means. The operating lever  94  is acted upon by the spring  37  into the closed position of the locking means. With the swivelling of the operating lever  94  about the swivel axis  95  the locking member  1  is also swivelled. For this purpose an engagement extension  113  of locking member  1  projects into a slot  87  (cf.  FIG. 34 ) in lever arm  96 , as is especially evident in  FIG. 39 . Thereby by means of operating lever  94  the locking member  1  can be swivelled between its closed position and its open position. Pin  114  of locking member  1  limits the further swivelling of the locking member  1  through the force of spring  37 , when the locking member  1  is in the closed position. 
     In the closed position, the press-on face  40  of locking member  1  presses against the surface of the counterpressure part  13  facing the locking member  1  ( FIG. 35 ). The counterpressure part  13  thereby presses the press-on lever  101  in the direction toward the shell tube, whereby, on the one hand, the toothings  107 - 110  have become engaged against the force of spring  112 , on the other hand, the support foot  106  of the press-on lever  101  presses the securement counterpart  4  against the securement part  3  such that the toothings  14 - 17  have become engaged. 
     The swivelling of the blocking member  2  while it is in its blocking position through the force of spring  46  is limited by the stop web  117  of the blocking member  2 , which abuts the edge  118  of the end piece  19 . 
     With the swivelling of locking member  1  in the direction of its open position the press-on face  40  is lifted from counterpressure part  13 . However, a displacement of the same through the force of the springs  30 ,  112  is prevented by the blocking member  2  which is in its blocking position, whose nose  49  is in contact on nose  52  of the counterpressure part  13  (the end-face contact face on nose  49  of the blocking member is in contact on the end-face contact counterface of nose  52  of the counterpressure part). 
     During the swivelling of the locking member  1 , the blocking member  2  initially remains in its blocking position. Abutment of the wall forming the stop  43  of locking member  1  on the blocking member  2  (at its edge  116 ) lastly occurs, whereby with a further swivelling of locking member  1 , the blocking member  2  is swivelled until the edge of nose  49  has reached the edge of nose  52 , whereupon the release position of blocking member  2  is reached. Subsequently the counterpressure part  13  can become displaced in the direction facing away from the shell tube  10  (counter to the closure direction  6 ), until it is in contact on the press-on face  41  of the locking member  1  ( FIG. 37 ). With the counterpressure part  13  a displacement of the press-on lever  101  and of the securement counterpart  4  also occurs. Toothings  14 - 17  of the height adjustment and  107 - 110  of the length adjustment therein become disengaged through the force of springs  30 ,  112 . 
     In the opened state of the locking means the section  67  of the shell tube  10  is swivelled upwardly through the springs  72 . With the swivelling of section  67  the locking bolt  18  is also swivelled and with it the end piece  19  with the locking member  1 , supported on it, and blocking member  2  as well as the counterpressure part  13 . 
     Different modifications of the described embodiment examples are conceivable and possible. For example, instead of a swivellable support of the blocking member, a displaceable support of it would also be possible. It would in principle also be conceivable and possible to support the locking member also not swivellably but rather displaceably, and the press-on face cooperating with a correspondingly formed counterpressure part could have a wedge-form course. The locking member could herein be directly actuatable or through an operating lever cooperating with the locking member. 
     The locking means could also comprise an arm member rotatable about the axis of the locking bolt by means of an operating arm. The blocking member in this case would also be swivellable about the axis of the locking bolt for the movement between its blocking position and its release position. In the blocking position it would herein block a lifting of the securement counterpart from the securement part (for example through the contact of a nose on a counterpressure part). Again, a coupling between the locking member and the blocking member would need to be provided through which, with an adjustment of the locking member from its closed position into its open position, the blocking member is entrained into its release position after a portion of the adjustment path of the locking member (and conversely during the closing process of the securement device). 
     LEGEND TO THE REFERENCE NUMBERS 
     
         
           1  Locking member 
           2  Blocking member 
           3  Securement part 
           4  Securement counterpart 
           5  Displacement direction 
           6  Closure direction 
           7  Direction of height adjustment 
           8  Direction of length adjustment 
           9  Steering spindle 
           10  Shell tube 
           11  Console unit 
           12  Side jaw 
           13  Counterpressure part 
           14  Toothing 
           15  Toothing 
           16  Toothing 
           17  Toothing 
           18  Locking bolt 
           19  End piece 
           20  Opening 
           21  Opening 
           22  Elongated hole cutout 
           23  Nut 
           24  Flat washer 
           25  Bore 
           26  Basic body 
           27  Toothed strip 
           28  Guide web 
           29  Nose 
           30  Spring 
           31  Axis 
           32  Journal 
           33  Bore 
           34  Fork extension 
           35  Operating arm 
           36  Operating grip 
           37  Spring 
           38  Pin 
           39  Roller 
           40  Press-on face 
           41  Press-on face 
           42  Nose 
           43  Stop 
           44  Bore 
           45  Extension 
           46  Spring 
           47  Spring canister 
           48  Pin 
           49  Nose of blocking member 
           50  Contact face 
           51  Contact counterface 
           52  Nose of counterpressure part 
           53  Step 
           54  Step 
           55  Small stop plate 
           56  Tooth 
           57  Tooth 
           58  Tooth 
           59  Tooth 
           60  Plane 
           61  Plane 
           62  Plane 
           63  Plane 
           64  Angle 
           65  Swivel axis 
           66  Steering wheel 
           67  Swivellable section 
           68  Section 
           69  Swivel axis 
           70  Universal joint 
           71  Mounting flange 
           72  Spring 
           73  Guide indentation 
           74  Side jaw 
           75  Side jaw 
           76  Extension 
           77  Indentation 
           78  Cutout 
           79  Retaining part 
           80  Journal 
           81  Section 
           82  Friction bearing part 
           83  Knurl 
           84  Friction bearing bushing 
           85  Side jaw 
           86  Arm extension 
           87  Slot 
           88  Bore 
           89  Bushing 
           90  Knurl 
           91  Collar 
           92  Collar 
           93  Journal 
           94  Operating lever 
           95  Swivel axis 
           96  Lever arm 
           97  Nut 
           98  Extension 
           99  Flattened portion 
           100  Cutout 
           101  Press-on lever 
           102  Cutout 
           103  Extension 
           104  Lever arm 
           105  Lever arm 
           106  Support foot 
           107  Toothing 
           108  Toothing 
           109  Toothing 
           110  Toothing 
           111  Slide shoe 
           112  Spring 
           113  Engagement extension 
           114  Pin 
           115  counterstop 
           116  Edge 
           117  Stop web 
           118  Edge 
           119  Section 
           120  Nose 
           121  Nose 
           122  Guide hole 
           123  Guide hole 
           124  Main part