Trw Limited

David Koellisch

Mark A Cartwright

Richard J Eckhart

Gregory B Livengood

Michael W Wilson

Greg B Livengood

Timothy M Lowney

An intermediate steering column ( ) for a vehicle with a firewall ( ) includes a first shaft ( ) pivotally attached to a first U-joint ( ) and rotatable about a longitudinal axis ( ) of the first shaft upon rotation of the first U-joint. A second shaft ( ) drivingly connected to the first shaft ( ) has a slip joint connection ( ) with the first shaft permitting relative axial movement of the first and second shafts while maintaining a rotary drive connection between the first and second shafts. The first shaft ( ) includes first and second shaft parts ( and ) and a quick disconnect joint ( ) between the first and second shaft parts permitting disconnection of the first and second shaft parts and pivoting of the first shaft part relative to the first U-joint ( ) to a first out of the way position and pivoting of the second shaft part relative to a second U-joint ( ) to a second out of the way position.

Intermediate steering column

A steering column ( ) includes a mounting bracket ( ) connecting the steering column ( ) to a vehicle frame. A support ( ), through which a steering column member ( ) extends, is connected with the mounting bracket ( ). The support ( ) supports the steering column member ( ) for rotation about and is movable relative to the mounting bracket. A locking mechanism ( ) locks the support ( ) in any one of a plurality of positions relative to the mounting bracket ( ). The locking mechanism ( ) has a locking lever ( ) with first and second ends ( and ). A spring ( ) applies a force to the first end ( ) of the lever ( ) to urge the second end ( ) of the lever to clamp the support ( ) to the mounting bracket ( ). The first end ( ) of the lever ( ) moves against the force applied by the spring ( ) to permit movement of the support ( ) relative to the mounting bracket ( ).

Steering column

An apparatus for mounting a foot pedal and a steering column to a vehicle, the apparatus having a mounting bracket ( ) connectable with a vehicle frame. The foot pedal ( ) which controls a vehicle operation is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket ( ) by a pivot shaft ( ). The steering column ( ) is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket ( ) by the pivot shaft ( ). The steering column ( ) includes a steering column member ( ) connectable with a steering wheel ( ) and rotatable to turn steerable vehicle wheels. A locking mechanism ( ) locks the steering column ( ) in any one of a plurality of pivot positions relative to the mounting bracket ( ).

Apparatus for mounting a foot pedal and a steering column to a vehicle

A steering column ( ) includes a steering column member ( ) rotatable to turn steerable vehicle wheels. A support tube ( ) supports the steering column member ( ) for rotation about a longitudinal axis ( ) of the steering column member. The support tube ( ) and the steering column member ( ) extend between clamping members ( ) and are axially movable relative to the clamping members. The clamping members ( ) clamp the support tube ( ) to prevent movement of the support tube and the steering column member ( ) relative to the clamping members. A pivot shaft ( ) pivotally connects the clamping members ( ) to a mounting bracket ( ). A locking mechanism ( ) presses the clamping members ( ) toward each other to clamp the support tube ( ) to prevent axial movement of the support tube relative to the clamping members. The locking mechanism ( ) also locks the clamping members ( ) in one of a plurality of pivot positions relative to the mounting bracket ( ). The locking mechanism ( ) has a locking shaft ( ) extending through the clamping members ( ) and through side walls ( ) of the mounting bracket ( ).

A steering column ( ) having a steering column member ( ) connectable with a steering wheel ( ). A support ( ) supports the steering column member ( ) for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the steering column member. A mounting bracket ( ) connects the steering column ( ) with a vehicle frame. The mounting bracket ( ) has side walls ( ) extending generally parallel to each other. The side walls ( ) have slots ( ) extending generally parallel to each other. A pivot shaft ( ) pivotally connects the support with the mounting bracket ( ). The pivot shaft ( ) extends through the support ( ) and the slots ( ) in the side walls ( ). The pivot shaft ( ) is movable along the slots ( ) relative to the mounting bracket ( ). A locking mechanism ( ) locks the support ( ) in any one of a plurality of pivot positions relative to the mounting bracket ( ) and locks the pivot shaft ( ) in any one of a plurality of positions along the slots ( ) relative to the mounting bracket. The locking mechanism ( ) has a locking shaft ( ) extending through the support ( ) and the slots ( ).

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Lafayette, IN, United States of America

David Koellisch