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:
Mar. 27, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 08, 1999
William A. Jolley, Keego Harbor, MI (US);
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A tilt release system includes a locking mechanism which retains a tiltable end portion of an elongated steering column of a vehicle in angularly adjusted position. The system includes a bracket mounted on a shroud of the steering column. A pivot pin is mounted on the bracket for rotation about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the steering column. A lever is mounted on a radial arm of the pivot pin. The radial arm of the pivot pin and the lever extend parallel to the steering column in a direction toward the rear of the vehicle when in a retracted position. The lever is connected to the locking mechanism by a cable. The lever pivots downwardly to release the locking mechanism. The lever has a frictional, sliding snap fit on the arm of the pivot pin so that if the lever is rearwardly impacted in a crash in a direction parallel to the axis of the steering column, the lever will slide off the arm toward the steering wheel, thereby preventing tilt release.