Abstract:
A steering column attachment assembly is disclosed for adjustably locating and securing after market steering columns to an automotive vehicle. The attachment assembly comprises a penannular flexible insert having inner and outer portions. The outer portion of the flexible insert comprises a plurality of sides. The attachment assembly also comprises a strap clamp having inner and outer regions and an opening provided to the inner region for receiving the flexible insert. The inner region and outer region are formed from a plurality of sides corresponding to the plurality of sides of the outer portion of the flexible insert such that the plurality of sides of the flexible insert and corresponding plurality of sides of the inner region of the strap clamp are in contact during assembly. The strap clamp features a plurality of adjustable compression members that engage the flexible insert.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a steering column attachment assembly and a method of use, and more specifically, a steering column attachment assembly for securing and adjustably locating a steering column to a dashboard assembly of an automotive vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Restoration and customizing of antique automobiles has become a growing hobby, and as result, created an entire automotive component industry focused on making original equipment (“OE”) replacement parts and improved aftermarket parts. An increased interest in hot rodding relatively newer cars by replacing original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) parts with higher performance alternatives has also contributed to this burgeoning automotive component industry. 
         [0003]    Replacement parts, whether styled after the OEM parts or improved versions are made for all major areas of the automobile, including for example, engine components, chassis components, interior cabin parts, steering assemblies, suspension kits, drive-train assemblies, frame and body parts. Reasons for replacement of various automotive components are not just to improve performance or to return the car to original condition by replacing worn or broken parts, but replacement also occurs for aesthetic reasons, including the appearance of replacement parts. Replacement parts can offer a new shape or be made from or covered in a new type of material such as stainless steel or chrome that might be preferred by the car owner over the OEM equipment. 
         [0004]    The steering assemblies include steering components such as a steering column, steering gear box, rack and pinion, power steering pump and linkage parts such as tie rods and universal joints, all of which are often of interest for replacement by restorers and hot rodders of automobiles. The steering assemblies on many older vehicles may have relatively poor performance compared to modern designs. Owners of such older vehicles or hot rodders seeking to improve steering performance may replace OEM or aftermarket equipment with better performing or more reliable assemblies. Alternatively, the appearance of new steering assembly components can justify replacement by some enthusiasts. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    One example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a steering column attachment assembly for adjustably locating and securing after market steering columns to an automotive vehicle. The attachment assembly comprises a penannular flexible insert having inner and outer portions. The inner portion is contoured to the geometry of a steering column and includes an opening for receiving the steering column and the outer portion of the flexible insert comprising a plurality of sides. The attachment assembly further comprises a strap clamp having inner and outer regions and an opening provided to the inner region for receiving the penannular flexible insert. The inner region and outer region are formed from a plurality of sides corresponding to the plurality of sides of the outer portion of the flexible insert such that the plurality of sides of the flexible insert and corresponding plurality of sides of the inner region of the strap clamp are in contact during assembly. The strap clamp yet further comprises first and second upper region sides in the inner and outer region and a plurality of adjustable compression members adjustably located in the first and second upper sides to engage with the flexible insert. Spaced first and second radius ends extend along the flexible insert opening that compress and lock the steering column attachment assembly to the column when the compression members engage the flexible insert. 
         [0006]    Another example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a steering column attachment assembly for adjustably locating and securing steering columns to an automotive vehicle. The attachment assembly comprises a penannular flexible insert having inner and outer portions. The inner portion is contoured to the geometry of a steering column, having an opening for receiving the steering column and the outer portion of the flexible insert comprising a plurality of sides. The attachment assembly further comprises a strap clamp having inner and outer regions and an opening provided to the inner region for receiving the penannular flexible insert. The inner region and outer region are formed from a plurality of sides corresponding to the plurality of sides of the outer portion of the flexible insert such that the plurality of sides of the flexible insert and corresponding plurality of sides in the inner region of the strap clamp are in contact during assembly. The strap clamp yet further comprises first and second upper region sides in the inner and outer region and a plurality of adjustable compression members for adjustably locating in the first and second upper region sides to engage with the flexible insert. Spaced first and second radius ends extend along the flexible insert opening that compress and lock the steering column attachment assembly to the column when the compression members engage the flexible insert. The attachment assembly further comprises a securing bracket that is positioned over the strap clamp for securing the strap clamp to the automotive vehicle. The securing bracket comprises first and second lower faces with attachment apertures for connecting corresponding fasteners to corresponding threaded connections located in first and second lower region sides located in the outer region plurality of sides of the strap clamp. 
         [0007]    A further example embodiment of the present disclosure includes an attachment assembly for adjustably locating and securing a steering column to an underside of an automotive vehicle dashboard. The attachment assembly comprises a penannular flexible insert for protecting the column to be attached from scratching and adjustably locating and securing the column to the automotive vehicle having inner and outer portions. The inner portion is contoured to the outer geometry of a steering column and includes an opening for receiving the steering column. The outer portion of the flexible insert comprises first and second upper portion sides connected to respective first and second lower portion sides, and a bottom portion side connecting the first lower portion to the second lower portion. The attachment assembly further comprises a strap clamp featuring inner and outer regions and an opening provided to the inner region for receiving the penannular flexible insert. The inner region and outer region are formed from first and second upper region sides connected to respective first and second lower region sides, and a bottom region side connecting the first lower region side to the second lower region side. The first and second lower inner region and bottom inner region sides of the strap clamp are in contact during assembly with the first and second lower portion and bottom portion sides of the outer portion of the flexible insert, respectively. The strap clamp further comprises through the first and second upper region sides a plurality of tapped apertures for receiving adjustable compression members to engage with the first and second upper portion sides of flexible insert. Spaced first and second radius ends extending along the flexible insert opening compress and lock the steering column attachment assembly to the column when the compression members engage the flexible insert. The attachment assembly yet further comprises a securing bracket that is positioned over the strap clamp for securing the strap clamp to the automotive vehicle. The securing bracket features first and second lower faces with attachment apertures for connecting corresponding fasteners to corresponding threaded connections located in the first and second lower region sides in the outer region of the strap clamp. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings unless otherwise noted and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of a typical steering column of the prior art illustrating welded lugs located along the shaft of the steering column; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a magnified view of a portion of the perspective view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a magnified assembled view of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric view of a steering column attachment assembly constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a magnified view of a portion of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an exploded isometric view of a steering column attachment assembly secured to a steering column assembly; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a sectioned perspective view of a steering column attachment assembly secured to a steering column assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a steering column attachment assembly constructed in accordance to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an elevated view of a securing bracket constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an end view of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The present invention relates to a steering column attachment assembly and a method of use, and more specifically, a steering column attachment assembly for securing and adjustably locating a steering column to a dashboard assembly of an automotive vehicle. 
         [0020]    The steering column attachment assembly of the present invention provides inter alia, versatility during installation of aftermarket or generic steering columns as well adjustability features that allow the location of the steering columns to be uniquely located to a desired position suitable to the owner or driver of the automotive vehicle. 
         [0021]    Conventional OEM steering columns are secured to a vehicle dashboard using a number of lugs welded along the shaft of the column and attached by a mounting bracket, as illustrated by the steering assembly  10  in  FIG. 1 . The steering assembly  10  of the prior art includes a steering wheel  12  attached to a column  14  at a first end  14   a  and a second end  14   b  that passes through the vehicle fire wall to a steering gear assembly (not shown). The steering column  14  typically includes four (4) pre-welded threaded lugs  16  that are received by corresponding apertures  18  in mounting bracket  20 , as best seen in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0022]    The mounting bracket  20  typically includes a main arcuate body  22  that surrounds the column  14  and a pair of supporting flanges  24  at the ends of the body for attaching the mounting bracket and steering column to a dashboard  26  of the vehicle. During assembly, the mounting bracket  20  is positioned such that the lugs  16  align with the apertures  18  for receiving an attachment bolt  36 , as best seen in  FIG. 1B . A slot  28  is located in each respective support flange  24  for securing the mounting bracket and column  14  to the dashboard  26  via a respected mounting bolt  30  and threaded receiving hole  32  on the underside  34  of the dashboard  26 . The slots  28  allow for flexibility in positioning the bracket  20  based on the fixed location of the column controlled by the location of the lugs  16  and receiving holes  32 . Respective holding bolts  36  are fastened to each respective lug  16 , passing partially through and securing the mounting bracket  20  into the assembled position of  FIG. 1B . 
         [0023]    The typical OEM steering assembly  10  and illustrated method of attachment provides numerous shortcomings, including misaligned locations between lugs  16  illustrated for example by dimensions A and B in  FIG. 1A  or variance in location from a datum illustrated by dimension C in  FIG. 1 . The misalignment or variance in location is typically a result of relaxed tolerances during manufacturing or poor quality. As a result, when steering columns  14  are removed and replaced with new or different columns, the lugs on the new or replacement column may not align with the bracket  20  or allow the bracket to align with receiving holes  32 . Such shortcomings are resolved by the novel construct and design of the steering column attachment assembly of the present disclosure. 
         [0024]    Referring now  FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric view of a steering column assembly  80  secured by a steering column attachment assembly  100  constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure. The steering column assembly  80  includes a steering wheel  102  attached to a column  104  comprising a cylindrical shaft  106  having a first end  106   a  attached to the steering wheel and a second end  106   b  that passes through the vehicle fire wall or floor panel  108  to a steering gear assembly (not shown). The steering column  104  in the illustrated embodiment is secured by the steering column attachment assembly  100  to an underside  110  of a dashboard  112 . The steering column  104  is typically a cylindrical shaft  106  having approximately a two-inch diameter. 
         [0025]    The steering column attachment assembly  100  of the present disclosure attaches about the cylindrical shaft  106  of the column  104  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , but could equally secure any geometrical shape or diameter column without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. In addition, the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 2-3  depict the column  104  being attached to the under side  110  of the dashboard  112 , but could equally secure the column to any number of securing fixtures provided by the OEM other than dashboards used in automotive vehicles. 
         [0026]    The steering column attachment assembly  100  comprises a penannular flexible insert  118 , a strap clamp  120 , and securing bracket  122 , as best seen in  FIGS. 6-8 . The flexible insert  118  can be made from an elastomeric or polymeric material, and in the illustrated embodiment, the flexible material is ethylene propylene diene monomer (“EPDM”). The penannular flexible insert  118  includes an opening  124 , an inner portion  126 , and outer portion  128 . The inner portion comprises a dimension (“R”), slightly larger than the outer dimension of the column  104 , and in the illustrated embodiment  FIGS. 2-3 , the inner portion is slightly larger than the diameter of the cylindrical shaft  106  of the column. 
         [0027]    The outer portion  128  and strap clamp  120  comprise a five-sided pentagon. The outer portion  128  includes upper sides  130 ,  132 , lower sides  134 ,  136  and bottom  138  that are received in inner opening  140  of the strap clamp  120  in corresponding upper sides  142 ,  144 , lower sides  146 ,  148 , and bottom  150 , respectively. The outer portion  128  of the flexible insert  118  and corresponding sides and bottom are slightly smaller to allow for a slip-fit insertion of the flexible insert into an inner region  152  of the strap clamp as best illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The upper sides  130 ,  132  comprise radius ends  153  of increased thickness (“t 1 ”) that extend the length of the opening  124  for gripping the column  104 . 
         [0028]    The strap clamp  120  in the illustrated example embodiment of  FIG. 2  is made from steel and includes an outer region  154 . Located along the upper sides  142 ,  144  are four (4) threaded or tapped holes  156  for receiving fasteners  158 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 6 , fasteners  158  are ¼-28×⅜ inch long socket head (cup-point) set screws and the strap clamp is made from approximately 3/16 of an inch thick steel (“t 2 ”). Attached to the lower sides  146 ,  148  of the strap clamp  120  are four (4) lugs  160  substantially symmetrically located about each lower side and with respect to each lower sides. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the lugs  160  are threaded to receive a 5/16-18 threaded fastener. Additionally, the flexible insert  118 , strap clamp  120 , and bracket  122  are all of approximately same length (“L”), and in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 6  the length L is approximately four (4) inches. Each side and bottom in the illustrated embodiment is approximately two (2) inches in width (“w”). 
         [0029]    The securing bracket  122  is similarly constructed as the OEM mounting bracket  20 . In fact, the flexible insert  118  and strap clamp  120  are designed to be received by most OEM mounting brackets. In an alternative embodiment, the steering column attachment assembly  100  comprises only the flexible insert  118  and strap clamp  120 , using an OEM mounting bracket to attach the steering column attachment assembly to the dashboard  112  or equivalent fixture. The securing bracket  122  of the illustrated embodiment comprises tangs  161  for securing dashboard  112  material or foam for aesthetic purposes. 
         [0030]    In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the securing bracket  122  is shown, attaching the strap clamp  120  and insert  118  to the underside  110  of the dashboard  112 , but could equally be attached by an OEM bracket without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.  FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the securing bracket  122  constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 8  is a cross sectional end view of  FIG. 5 , illustrating the interconnecting relationship between the flexible insert  118 , strap clamp  120 , and securing bracket  122  once assembled. 
         [0031]    The securing bracket  122  comprises an opening  162 , an inner area  164 , outer area  166 , securing flanges  168 ,  170 , outer ends  172 ,  174 , upper sides  176 ,  178 , lower sides  180 ,  182 , and bottom  184 . The securing bracket  122  in the illustrated example embodiment is made from is made from approximately 0.13 inches thick or 10 gauge steel and lower sides  180 ,  182  and bottom  184  are slightly larger than corresponding lower sides  146 ,  148  and bottom  150  of the strap clamp  120  to allow for a slip-fit insertion into the securing bracket as best illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Located in lower sides  180 ,  182  are fastening apertures  186  that are drill-through openings for receiving the body of corresponding fasteners  187  that pass through and thread into the strap clamp  120 , attaching the securing bracket  122  to the strap clamp. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the fasteners  187  are ⅜ inch bolts. The securing flange  168  and  170  include slots  188  for attaching the securing bracket  122  to the dashboard  112  by fasteners  190  in dash threaded fastener openings  192 . 
         [0032]    The steering column attachment assembly  100  allows any generic column to be secured to a dashboard  112  of an automotive vehicle without worry of tolerances or lack thereof in pre-welded lugs. The strap clamp  120  further advantageously allows the column to be axially adjusted (see arrows A in  FIG. 2 ) such that the location of the steering wheel  102  is at a desired location for the owner of the automotive vehicle. This is because the strap clamp  120  (unlike welded lugs on the steering column) can move up and down the column without restraint until the column is positioned in its desired location. 
         [0033]    During installation, the flexible insert  118  is inserted into the inner opening  140  of the strap clamp  120  such that the respective lower sides and bottom are in contact with each other forming a moveable assembly  200 . The opening  124  of the flexible insert  118  and coupled strap clamp  120  of the moveable assembly  200  are inserted over the steering column  104 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , wherein the flexible insert and strap clamp encapsulate more than half the steering column represented by dimension (“h”) illustrated in  FIG. 8 . At this point of the installation, the moveable assembly  200  can move up and down (see arrows A in  FIG. 4 ) the steering column  104  until the column is in the desired location of the automobile vehicle owner. When the steering column  104  is in its desired location, the moveable assembly  200  is positioned in a final location  210  such that the fastening apertures  186  of the securing bracket  122  align with the lugs  160 , allowing the fasteners  187  to connect with the lugs and the securing slots  188  to align with dash fastener openings  192  for the connecting of fasteners  190 . 
         [0034]    When the final location  210  shown in  FIG. 3  is determined, the fasteners  158  are inserted and tightened, drawing the flexible insert  118  and its radius ends  153  to lock the moveable assembly  200  into the final location along the column  104 . The radius ends  153  advantageously engulf and compress against the column  104  when the fasteners  158  are tightened, forming a locking distance (“d”&lt;) smaller than the overall diameter (“D”) (see  FIG. 8 ) of the column. The final location  210  is further secured to the column  104  by the pentagonal shape of both the flexible insert  118  and strap clamp  120  by upper sides  130 ,  132  and  142 ,  144 , respectively and fasteners  158  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0035]    Once the moveable assembly  200  is secured into the final location  210 , the securing bracket  122  or OEM mounting bracket is inserted over the moveable assembly such that the fastening apertures  186  align with respective lugs  160 . The securing bracket  122  or OEM mounting bracket is then attached to the dash  112  by inserting fasteners  190  through the respective securing slots  188  into dash threaded fastener openings  190 , thereby holding the steering column assembly  80  into a fixed location. Fasteners  187  are then used to further secure the moveable assembly  200  to the OEM mounting bracket or securing bracket  122  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0036]    What have been described above are examples of the present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.