Low-mounted column rake spring

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for pivoting and locking a steering column. The apparatus of the invention includes a steering column extending axially between first and second ends. The steering column is pivotally mountable to a vehicle at the second end. The apparatus also includes a locking mechanism spaced from the second end. The locking mechanism is operative to releasibly secure the steering column in a selected position of adjustment. The apparatus also includes a spring urging the steering column in a first pivoting direction. The spring is disposed in axially spaced relation adjacent to said locking mechanism. The method of the invention includes the step of pivotally mounting a steering column that extends axially between first and second ends to a vehicle. The method also includes the step of releasibly securing the steering column in a selected position of adjustment with a locking mechanism that is spaced from the second end. The method also includes the step of urging the steering column in a first pivoting direction with a spring that is disposed in axially spaced relation adjacent to the locking mechanism.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a steering column of a vehicle and more particularly to an arrangement for urging the steering column in pivoting movement and for locking the steering column relative to the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Steering columns support the steering wheel in a vehicle and can be pivoted relative the vehicle to enhance the comfort of the driver. For example, the steering column is pivoted by the driver to optimize the position of the steering wheel. A locking device is associated with the steering column to lock the steering column in place after the driver has selected the optimum position of the steering wheel. A biasing device is often associated with the steering column to reduce the effort required to adjust the steering column.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for pivoting and locking a steering column. The apparatus of the invention includes a steering column extending axially between first and second ends. The steering column is pivotally mountable to a vehicle at the second end. The apparatus also includes a locking mechanism spaced from the second end. The locking mechanism is operative to releasibly secure the steering column in a selected position of adjustment. The apparatus also includes a coiled compression spring urging the steering column in a first pivoting direction. The spring is disposed in axially spaced relation adjacent to said locking mechanism.

The method of the invention includes the step of pivotally mounting to a vehicle a steering column that extends axially between first and second ends. The method also includes the step of releasibly securing the steering column in a selected position of adjustment with a locking mechanism that is spaced from the second end. The method also includes the step of urging the steering column in a first pivoting direction with a coiled compression spring that is disposed in axially spaced relation adjacent to the locking mechanism.

The exemplary embodiment of the invention provides several advantages over previously known steering columns. At least one advantage is that the spring will continue to support the steering column if the locking mechanism becomes disassociated with the vehicle. Another advantage is that the spring will not produce frictional drag on the steering column during telescopic adjustment of the steering column.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now toFIGS. 1-3, the exemplary apparatus10of the invention includes a steering column12extending axially between first and second ends14,16. A steering wheel can be mounted adjacent to the first end14. The steering column12is pivotally mountable to a vehicle at the second end16. The steering column12can be pivoted by a driver of the vehicle to a position of adjustment that is preferred so that the steering wheel is in a desired location.

The steering column12can also be telescopically adjusted by the driver so that the steering wheel is in a desired location. The steering column12includes upper and lower jackets24,26telescopically disposed with respect to one another. The upper jacket24defines the first end14and the lower jacket26defines the second end16.

The apparatus also includes a locking mechanism18spaced from the second end16. The locking mechanism18is operative to releasibly secure the steering column12in the selected position of adjustment. The locking device18selectively prevents telescopic movement and tilting movement of the steering column12. The locking mechanism18is operative to selectively lock the upper jacket24with respect to the vehicle.

The apparatus also includes a coil spring20in compression and urging the steering column12in a first pivoting direction22. The first pivoting direction22is away from the lap of the driver. The spring20is disposed in axially spaced relation adjacent to the locking mechanism18. The spring20extends parallel to said steering column12and is axially spaced from said upper jacket24.

The steering column12includes a longitudinal axis36and a first surface38. The first surface38extends substantially transverse to and is spaced from the longitudinal axis36. The spring20engages the first surface38to urge the steering column12in the first pivoting direction22.

The locking mechanism18of the exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a telescoping bracket28substantially surrounding the steering column12. The telescoping bracket28is fixedly associated with the upper jacket24. The locking mechanism18also includes a rake bracket30that substantially surrounds the telescoping bracket28. The rake bracket30substantially surrounds the upper jacket24and is mountable to the vehicle. The locking mechanism18also includes a rake bolt32that extends through the telescoping and rake brackets28,30and is moveable relative to the telescoping and rake brackets28,30to selectively, fixedly associate the upper jacket24to the vehicle. The rake bolt32includes appropriate locking structure, such as teeth or compression-generating cams, such that the upper jacket24is fixedly associated with the vehicle when the rake bolt32is in a first position and is movably associated with the vehicle when the rake bolt32is in a second position.

The locking mechanism18also includes at least one capsule34releasibly engageable with the rake bracket30. If the vehicle is involved in a crash and the driver generates a force against the steering wheel, the rake bracket30and the at least one capsule34can separate from one another. The coiled compression spring20urges the steering column12in the first pivoting direction22when the at least one capsule34is engaged with the rake bracket30and when the at least one capsule34and the rake bracket are separated from one another. As a result, if the at least one capsule34and the rake bracket separate from one another, the steering column will not drop into the lap of the driver.

The spring20and the rake bolt32are disposed on opposite sides of said steering column12. For example, the spring20is disposed adjacent to a top of the steering column12and the rake bolt32is disposed adjacent to a top of the steering column12. Also, in the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the spring20extends transverse to said rake bolt32. For example, the spring20extends parallel to the axis36and the rake bolt32extends transverse to the axis36. Also, the spring20and the rake bolt32are axially spaced from one another along the axis36. As a result of the spacing between the spring20and the rake bolt32, the spring20does not contribute frictional drag forces to the upper jacket24during telescopic adjustment of the steering column12. In previous steering columns, a spring acts on a rake bolt and causes frictional drag forces.

The exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a mounting bracket40operative to be attached to a vehicle. The lower jacket26is pivotally engaged with the mounting bracket40and the locking mechanism18selectively locks the upper jacket24to the mounting bracket40. The rake bracket30is releasibly connected to the mounting bracket40with the at least one capsule34. The spring20is disposed between the first surface38and the mounting bracket40. The mounting bracket40defines an aperture42and the spring20is disposed at least partially in the aperture42.

The exemplary method of the invention includes the step of pivotally mounting the steering column12, which extends axially between the first and second ends14,16, to the vehicle. The method also includes the step of releasibly securing the steering column12in the selected position of adjustment with the locking mechanism18, which is spaced from the second end16. The method also includes the step of urging the steering column12in the first pivoting direction22with the coiled compression spring20, which is disposed in axially spaced relation adjacent to the locking mechanism18. The method may also include the step of releasibly connecting the locking mechanism18to the vehicle. The urging step can be further defined as urging the steering column12in the first pivoting direction22with the spring20when the locking mechanism18is connected to the vehicle and when the locking mechanism18is unconnected with respect to the vehicle.