US 7,509,887 B2
Steering column assembly having single lever tilt and telescope adjustment
Steven P. Finkbeiner, Essexville, Mich. (US); and Robert D. Maida, Pinconning, Mich. (US)
Assigned to Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, Mich. (US)
Filed on Oct. 08, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/961,558.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/510319, filed on Oct. 10, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2005/0183534 A1, Aug. 25, 2005
Int. Cl. B62D 1/18 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 74—493  [280/775; 280/777] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus (8) comprising:
a steering column assembly (10) defining a longitudinal axis (11) and adjustable along a tilting path (13) of adjustment;
said steering column assembly (10) including a first member (14) defining a bore (66) and a second member (26) pivotably engaged with said first member (14) about a second rotational axis (C), with said second member (26) defining a slot (68) aligned with said bore (66) throughout pivoting movement of said second member (26) relative to said first member (14); and
a locking device (36) associated with said steering column assembly (10) to selectively lock and unlock said steering column assembly (10) with respect to said tilting path (13) of adjustment, wherein said locking device (36) includes a lever arm (16) mounted to said steering column assembly (10) for rotation about a rotation axis (A) and a cam surface (80, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94), said locking device (36) also including a lock member (64) including a cam follower surface (82) engaged with said cam surface (80, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94) to move between locked and unlocked positions in response to said rotation, wherein said lock member (64) is spaced from said rotation axis (A) and spaced from said second rotational axis (C) along said longitudinal axis (11);
wherein said lock member (64) includes a pin (64) defining said cam follower surface (82) and a locking portion (76) selectively insertable in said slot (68) in response to said rotation of said lever arm (16) about said rotation axis (A).