The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 29, 1998
Filed:
Sep. 29, 1997
Chester D Renick, Lafayette, IN (US);
Albert E Becker, Jr, West Lafayette, IN (US);
James M Hobaugh, II, Lafayette, IN (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
A steering column has a first steering column member movable axially relative to a second steering column member. A member having a plurality of teeth is connected to the first steering column member and movable with the first steering column member relative to the second steering column member. A support connects the steering column to a vehicle frame. A telescope locking member engages the plurality of teeth on the member connected to the first steering column member. The telescope locking member has a first position in which the telescope locking member engages at least one of the plurality of teeth on the member connected to the first steering column member to prevent movement of the first steering column member relative to the second steering column member. The telescope locking member has a second position in which the telescope locking member is spaced from the plurality of teeth on the member connected to the first steering column member to permit axial movement of the first steering column member relative to the second steering column member. The telescope locking member presses the member connected to the first steering column member against the support to prevent the first steering column member and the member connected to the first steering column member from moving relative to the support when the telescope locking member is in its first position. The telescope locking member includes a plurality of teeth for engaging the plurality of teeth on the member connected to the first steering column member.