Patent ID: 7819427

Claim:
A steering column assembly for a steering column of a vehicle, the steering column assembly comprising: a first functional module having a lock element for fixedly connecting the first functional module to a steering column extending along an axial axis; a second functional module having a plate-like body which includes a pair of laterally spaced apart guide grooves extending along the axial axis and includes a connector receiver positioned between the guide grooves and aligned along the axial axis; and a support plate fixedly connected to the first functional module irrespective of whether the first and second functional modules are connected together; wherein the support plate is slidingly movable against the plate-like body in a first axial direction along the axial axis to insert into the guide grooves and thereby connect the first and second functional modules together whereby the second functional module is connected to the steering column via the first functional module when the first functional module is connected to the steering column; wherein the support plate is slidingly movable against the plate-like body in a second opposite axial direction along the axial axis to eject out from the guide grooves and thereby disconnect the first and second functional modules from one another whereby the second functional module is disconnected from the steering column when the first functional module is connected to the steering column; wherein when the support plate is inserted into the guide grooves and a connector inserted through the connector receiver is directly connected to the support plate the support plate is unable to move and until the connector is directly connected to the support plate the support plate is slidingly movable against the plate-like body in either of the first or second axial directions.