Patent ID: 7267370

Claim:
A steering column comprising: an outer member having a first portion and a clamping portion cantilevered from said first portion wherein said clamping portion includes first and second projections and a first aperture defined between said first and second projections; an inner member received in said first aperture for telescoping movement relative to said outer member along an axis; a clamping mechanism disposed to selectively urge said first and second projections closer to one another to change a size of said first aperture wherein said first aperture is relatively smaller when said first and second projections have been urged relatively closer together by said clamping mechanism to lock said inner and outer members relative to one another and is relatively larger when said first and second projections have been released with respect to said clamping mechanism such that said inner and outer members are movable relative to one another; and a linking member fixedly engaged with said first portion and one of said first and second projections to increase a stiffness of said steering column.