# US 10,766,519 B2 · Steering column

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- Number: US 10,766,519 B2
- Document ID: US10766519B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/773,105
- Filed: 2016-11-03
- Published: 2018-11-08
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-11-06
- Assignees: Mmx—Meccanoplast S.R.L.
- Applicants: Mmx—Meccanoplast S.R.L.
- Inventors: Massimiliano Casini
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766519B2

## CPC

- B62D 1/184: Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions
- B62D 1/189: the entire column being tiltable as a unit
- B62D 1/185: adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically (B62D1/183, B62D1/187, B62D1/19 take precedence)
- B62D 1/187: with tilt adjustment; with tilt and axial adjustment (B62D1/183, B62D1/19 takes precedence)
- F16C 1/10: Means for transmitting linear movement in a flexible sheathing, e.g. "Bowden-mechanisms" (guiding-sheathings F16C1/26)
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

A steering column (10), comprising: a base (20); an upper section (50) connected to the base (20), wherein the upper section (50) is movable relative to the base (20) with respect to at least two degrees of freedom; an actuation lever (60) connected to the upper section (50) and operable between a locked position, in which the actuation lever (60) is in stable equilibrium and constrains both degrees of freedom of the upper section (50) relative to the base (20), and two distinct unlocked positions, each of which respectively releases one of the two degrees of freedom of the upper section (50) relative to the base (20); wherein, in the two unlocked positions, the actuation lever (60) is located in two distinct respective stable equilibrium positions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A steering column (10), comprising:
a base (20);
an upper section (50) connected to the base (20), wherein the upper section (50) is movable relative to the base (20) with respect to at least two degrees of freedom;
an actuation lever (60) connected to the upper section (50) and operable between a locked position, in which the actuation lever (60) is in stable equilibrium and constrains both degrees of freedom of the upper section (50) relative to the base (20), and two distinct unlocked positions, each of which respectively releases one of the two degrees of freedom of the upper section (50) relative to the base (20);
wherein, in the two unlocked positions, the actuation lever (60) is located in two distinct respective stable equilibrium positions;
wherein, between the base (20) and the upper section (50), an intermediate section (30) can be interposed, the upper section (50) is slidably connected to the intermediate section (30) defining a degree of translational freedom of the upper section (50) relative to the base (20);
wherein, between the upper section (50) and the intermediate section (30) a frictional locking assembly (54, 55) is interposed, equipped with a control member (53, 56) selectively operable between a closed position, in which it stops the sliding of the upper section (50) with respect to the intermediate section (30), and an open position, in which it releases the sliding of the upper section (50) relative to the intermediate section (30);
wherein the actuation lever (60) can be connected to the control member (53, 56) for the actuation of the same selectively between the closed position and the open position, respectively in the locked position of the actuation lever (60) and in a first position of the two unlocked positions of the same;
and wherein the actuation lever (60) is rotatably connected to the upper section (50) with respect to a first axis of oscillation (B) and comprise a cam (61) with an eccentric profile relative to the first axis of oscillation (B) and adapted to actuate the control member (53, 56) selectively between the closed position and the open position as a result of an oscillation of the cam (61) with respect to the first axis of oscillation (B) of a given angle of oscillation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Steering column (10) according to claim 1, wherein, between the base (20) and the upper section (50), an intermediate section (30) can be interposed, the intermediate section (30) is slidably connected to the base (20) defining a degree of translational freedom of the upper section (50) relative to the base (20).

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

Steering column (10) according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate section (30) is slidably connected to the base (20) defining a degree of translational freedom of the upper section (50) relative to the base (20) and in which the intermediate section (30) is hinged to the base (20) with respect to an axis of rotation (A) perpendicular to a direction of sliding of the upper section (50) with respect to the intermediate section (30).

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

Steering column (10) according to claim 2, wherein a gas spring (40) is interposed between the intermediate section (30) and the base (20), comprising:
a cylinder (41), hinged to one of the base (20) and the intermediate section (30);
a stem (42) slidably connected to the cylinder (41) and hinged to the other of the intermediate section (30) and the base (20); and
a control element (43) selectively operable between a stop position, in which it stops the sliding of the stem (42) relative to the cylinder (41), and an unlocked position, in which it releases the sliding of the stem (42) relative to the cylinder (41);
and wherein the actuation lever (60) can be connected to the control element (43) for the selective actuation of the same between the stop position and the unlocked position, respectively in the locked position of the actuation lever (60) and in a second position of the two unlocked positions of the same.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

Steering column (10) according to claim 4, wherein the actuation lever (60) may be rotatably connected to the upper section (50) with respect to a second axis of oscillation (C) and comprise at least an eccentric section (58) eccentric with respect to the second axis of oscillation to which the control element (43) is connected by a traction cable (59), for the actuation of the control element (43) selectively between the stop position and the unlocked position as a result of an oscillation of the eccentric section (58) with respect to the second axis of oscillation (C) of a given angle of oscillation.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

Steering column (10) according to claim 5, in which the traction cable (59) comprises a sheathed Bowden type cable.