Trw Lucasvarity Electric Steering Limited

Trw Limited

David Ward

Michael Appleyard

Mark Anthony Wilkes

Niclas Davies

Dominique Cullier

A steering column assembly includes a steering column shroud comprising an inner member and an outer member, the inner member being at least partially received within the outer member, a support bracket which is fixed in position relative to a part of the vehicle, the outer member passing between two spaced apart arms of the bracket, and a clamp assembly which includes a cam mechanism movable between a locked position in which the clamp assembly fixes the inner member and outer member in position relative to the support bracket and an unlocked position in which the clamp assembly permits movement of at least one of the inner and outer members relative to the support bracket. The clamp assembly includes a clamp pin which passes through openings in each of the two arms of the bracket, the clamp pin being provided with a first reaction member located towards one end of the pin outside of one arm of the clamp bracket and a second reaction member located towards the other end of the clamp pin outside of the other arm of the clamp bracket such that the arms of the bracket are clamped between the reaction members so as to provide a pre-load to the bracket arms, and in which both reaction members are prevented from rotating relative to the pin during use, and one reaction member is located at least partially within a cavity formed in a part of the cam mechanism. The outer member may also include an elongate slit that extends beyond a steering lock mechanism fitted to the assembly.

Steering column assembly

A steering column assembly comprises a steering column shroud which supports a steering shaft for a steering wheel, a support bracket which is fixed in position relative to a part of vehicle, and a clamp mechanism which is movable between a locked position in which the clamp mechanism fixes the shroud in position relative to the support bracket and an unlocked position in which the clamp mechanism permits movement of the shroud relative to the support bracket. The support bracket comprises a generally U-shaped member with two depending arms of the U extending from its base having a portion of the column shroud located therebetween. A clamp mechanism is also provided which upon locking of the clamp mechanism provides tension between the two arms of the U shaped member together thereby clamping the steering column shroud in position. One arm of the U-shaped member comprises an outer leaf extending from the base to a free end of the arm and an inner leaf connected to the free end of the arm and extending upwards from the free end towards the base, the inner leaf being located between outer leaf and the other arm of the U-shaped member, the clamp mechanism acting to apply tension between the inner leaf and the other arm such tension acting to pull the inner leaf away from the outer leaf.

A steering column assembly includes a steering column shroud which supports a steering shaft for a steering wheel. The column shroud includes an inner member and an outer member. The inner member being at least partially received within the outer member. A support bracket is fixed in position relative to a part of the vehicle. A clamp mechanism is movable between a locked position in which the clamp mechanism fixes the inner member and the outer member in position relative to the support bracket and an unlocked position in which the clamp mechanism permits movement of at least one of the inner and outer members relative to the support bracket. The clamp mechanism includes a clamp pin that passes through an opening in the support bracket and is connected to a loop plate. The loop plate includes at least one loop portion that loops a portion of the shroud and which is drawn towards the support bracket as the clamp mechanism is moved to a locked position, thereby to clamp the shroud in position relative to the support bracket.

Growing community of inventors

Monthmouthshire, United Kingdom

David Ward