Chrysler Corporation

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Kenneth E Zalewski

Gary D Guichard

Michael A Dahl

Tim W Anness

Kevin J White

William St Clair

Anthony J Oddo

A column stalk assembly for controlling lighting and wiper functions of a motor vehicle is provided. The column stalk includes a wiper stalk controlling the front wipers, rear wipers, front washer, and rear washer of the motor vehicle and a lighting stalk controlling the headlamps, high beam headlamps, interior lights, and turn signals of the motor vehicle, the wiper stalk and the lighting stalk being structurally similar. Each stalk includes an outer rotatable knob and an inner rotatable ring separated by a stationary ring. The stationary ring cooperates with the outer knob to control a specific function. Each stalk also includes a base disposed adjacent to the inner ring. The base cooperates with the inner ring to control a specific function.

Vehicle column stalk functionality

A dual-hinged center console that has a longitudinally extending cam rod retention cavity is disposed within each side wall of the center console adjacent to a lid, the cam rod retention cavity is also in axial alignment with the retention member in each side wall. Further, a cam rod is rotatably mounted in each side of the lid. Each cam rod is disposed in a corresponding cam rod retention cavity at the corresponding side wall when the lid is in a closed position. When the lid is in a open position, only one cam rod is disposed in one cam rod retention cavity of the corresponding side wall. Each cam rod has a latch handle that is attached at one end of the cam rod. Upwardly rotating the attached latch handle of one of the cam rods retracts that cam rod from the retention member of the corresponding side wall. This allows the lid to be rotated about the other cam rod to an open position. Also provided in the center console is a screw cam that is disposed in each cam rod extension cavity that allows each cam rod to be removed from the cam rod retention cavity when the latch handle is upwardly rotated so that the lid is actuated toward the open position.

Dual-hinged center console

Growing community of inventors

Utica, MI, United States of America

Kenneth E Zalewski