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. 17, 2009
Filed:
May. 26, 2005
Ray G. Armstrong, Bay City, MI (US);
Richard P. Nash, Frankenmuth, MI (US);
Neal R. Roller, Essexville, MI (US);
Philip J. Mccarthy, Saginaw, MI (US);
Ray G. Armstrong, Bay City, MI (US);
Richard P. Nash, Frankenmuth, MI (US);
Neal R. Roller, Essexville, MI (US);
Philip J. McCarthy, Saginaw, MI (US);
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A steering column assembly has a steering column with a longitudinal axis and disposable in a vehicle for tilting movement and telescoping movement. A wedge lock is engaged with the steering column and moveable between a first unlocked position and a first locked position along a first path to selectively lock the steering column with respect to the telescoping movement. A force required to move the wedge lock increases along the first path from the first unlocked position to the first locked position. A lever is pivotally engaged with the steering column about a pivot axis for rotation between an adjusting position and a locking position. The wedge lock moves from the first unlocked position to the first locked position along the first path in response to rotation of the lever from the adjusting position to the locking position. A cable assembly includes a cable with first and second ends and a sheath substantially encircling the cable. The first end is engaged with the lever to move in response to rotation of the lever. A tilt lock member engaged with the steering column is moveable between a second unlocked position and a second locked position along a second path to selectively lock the steering column with respect to the tilting movement. The second end of the cable is engaged with the tilt lock member such that the tilt lock member moves from the second unlocked position to the second locked position along the second path in response to rotation of the lever from the adjusting position to the locking position. The steering column assembly also includes a biasing device urging the tilt lock member to the locked position and cooperating with the lever to offset the force required to move the wedge lock from the first unlocked position to the first locked position along the first path.