Patent ID: 7475614

Claim:
A steering column ( 10 ) for a vehicle comprising: a steering column jacket ( 12 ) having an engaging surface ( 14 ) and operable to at least partially encircle a steering shaft ( 16 ) in the vehicle; a tilt housing ( 18 ) engaged with said steering column jacket ( 12 ) for tilting movement about a tilt axis ( 20 ) between a plurality of tilt positions; a locking member ( 22 ) pivotally supported at a pivot end ( 24 ) by said tilt housing ( 18 ) and extending to a distal locking end ( 26 ) moveable outwardly from said tilt axis ( 20 ) along a first arcuate path ( 28 ) to a locked position contacting said engaging surface ( 14 ) and inwardly towards said tilt axis ( 20 ) along said first arcuate path ( 28 ) to an unlocked position spaced from said engaging surface ( 14 ); a lever ( 30 ) pivotally supported by said tilt housing ( 18 ) for movement along a second arcuate path ( 32 ) between a locking position and an adjusting position wherein said lever ( 30 ) and said locking member ( 22 ) are disposed in cam-cam follower relationship such that said locking member ( 22 ) moves from said unlocked position to said locked position in response to movement of said lever ( 30 ) from said adjusting position to said locked position and wherein said locking position of said lever ( 30 ) being disposed along said first arcuate path ( 28 ) to positively block said locking end ( 26 ) from moving along said first arcuate path ( 28 ); and a handle member ( 46 ) pivotally supported by said tilt housing ( 18 ) for movement along a third arcuate path ( 48 ) between a first position and a second position wherein said handle member ( 46 ) and said lever ( 30 ) are disposed in cam-cam follower relationship such that said lever ( 30 ) moves from said adjusting position to said locking position in response to movement of said handle member ( 46 ) from said first position to said second position; said handle member ( 46 ) includes a free end ( 54 ) spaced from a center of said third arcuate path ( 48 ) and a lever adjusting end engaging said lever ( 30 ) and spaced from said free end ( 54 ) with said center of said third arcuate path ( 48 ) disposed between said free end ( 54 ) and said lever adjusting end and wherein said free end ( 54 ) moves closer to said steering column jacket ( 12 ) during movement from said second position to said first position.