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US 2004/0104566 A1Published application
Positioning mechanism for tilt steering
AssigneeAssociated Spring Raymond
InventorsJack W. Adoline, Mark R. Thomas, Bruce J. Fondren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A positive lock mechanism having a compression spring rod with a housing, a rod member having an inner end in said housing and an outer end axially outwardly of a housing end. One or more compression springs extend between a guide member and an end of the housing. A positive locking mechanism is provided to prevent movement of the rod member in a longitudinal direction. The lock mechanism is controlled by a wire and cable assembly operated by a lever.
Claims85
A positive lock mechanism assembly, comprising:
- a compression spring rod assembly comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis and axially opposite ends;
- a rod member coaxial with said axis and having an inner end in said housing and an outer end axially outwardly of one of said opposite ends;
- said rod member comprises at least one slot between said inner and outer ends thereof;
- a guide member on said inner end of said rod member for supporting said rod member during movement of said rod member;
- a pair of compression springs extending between said guide member and the same one of said opposite ends of said housing;
- and
- a pin which is selectively inserted into said at least one slot for preventing movement of said rod member in a longitudinal direction, said pin extending within an opening in a housing member mounted adjacent one of said opposite ends of said housing.
4 more elements
A positive lock mechanism, comprising:
- a housing having a longitudinal axis and axially opposite ends;
- a rod member coaxial with said axis and having an inner end in said housing and an outer end axially outwardly of one of said opposite ends, said rod member comprises a plurality of slots along a longitudinal axis thereof;
- a guide member adjacent an inner end of said rod member for reciprocation axially of said housing between retracted and extended positions relative thereto;
- a compression spring extending between said guide member and the same one of said opposite ends of said housing;
- and
- a locking member which is slidably received within one of said plurality of slots for preventing movement of said rod member in a longitudinal direction.
3 more elements
A tilt steering lock assembly comprising:
- a tilt steering column comprising a first tilt section and a second tilt section, wherein said first tilt section is operated by a manual lever connected thereto;
- a compression spring rod assembly comprising:
- a housing having a longitudinal axis and axially opposite ends;
- a pair of compression springs extending between said housing axially opposite ends;
- a rod member coaxial with said axis and having an inner end in said housing adjacent said compression springs and an outer end axially outwardly of one of said opposite ends;
- said rod member comprises at least one slot between said inner and outer ends thereof;
- and,
- a pin which is selectively inserted into said at least one slot for preventing movement of said rod in a longitudinal direction.
5 more elements
A positive lock mechanism comprising:
- a compression spring and rod assembly, comprising:
- a housing having a longitudinal axis and axially opposite ends;
- a rod member coaxial with said axis and having a first end in said housing and a second end axially outwardly of one of said opposite ends;
- a guide member on said first end of said rod member for supporting said rod member during movement of said rod member;
- a pair of compression springs extending between said guide member and the same one of said opposite ends of said housing;
- a rack comprising a plurality of teeth and a plurality of notches between said teeth within a keyway located in said rod member along a longitudinal axis of said rod member;
- a pawl assembly pivotally mounted to said housing, said pawl assembly comprising a first end and a second end, a pawl tooth located adjacent said first end, and a pivot arm located adjacent said second end of said pawl assembly;
- and
- a spring mounted around said pivot arm for biasing said pawl assembly in a locking position with respect to said rack.
6 more elements
A positive lock mechanism comprising:
- a housing having a longitudinal axis and axially opposite ends;
- a rod member coaxial with said axis and having a first end in said housing and a second end axially outwardly of one of said opposite ends,
- said rod member comprising a knurled surface extending along a longitudinal axis of said rod member;
- a guide member on said first end of said rod member for supporting said rod member during movement of said rod member;
- a pair of compression springs extending between said guide member and the same one of said opposite ends of said housing;
- and
- a pin extending within an opening in said housing, said pin comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said second end has a knurled surface which engages the knurled surface of the rod member to prevent movement of said rod member in a longitudinal direction.
4 more elements
A positive locking mechanism, comprising:
- a compression spring and rod assembly comprising:
- a housing having a longitudinal axis and axially opposite ends;
- a rod member coaxial with said axis and having a first end in said housing and a second end axially outwardly of one of said opposite ends;
- a guide member on said first end of said rod member for supporting said rod member during movement of said rod member;
- a compression spring extending between said guide member and the same one of said opposite ends of said housing;
- a collar assembly comprising:
- a block mounted within one of said ends of said housing, said block having a threaded and tapered opening therein;
- a tapered collar having threads on an outer surface thereof, said collar comprising an opening for receiving said rod member, said collar received within said threaded opening of said block, said collar having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end has a diameter greater than said second end, and
- said opening of said collar has a first end and a second end, wherein said first end has a diameter greater than said second end.
6 more elements
A positive locking mechanism comprising:
- a compression spring rod assembly comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis and axially opposite ends;
- a rod member coaxial with said axis and having an inner end in said housing and an outer end axially outwardly of one of said opposite ends;
- said rod member comprising a plurality of grooves between said inner and outer ends thereof;
- a guide member on said inner end of said rod member for supporting said rod member during movement of said rod member;
- a compression spring extending between said guide member and the same one of said opposite ends of said housing;
- a pin which is selectively inserted into one of said plurality of grooves for preventing movement of said rod member in a longitudinal direction;
- and
- a wedge which contacts said pin and moves said pin into engagement with one of said plurality of grooves, said wedge and said pin being received within a first opening in a block mounted to an end of said housing.
5 more elements
A positive locking mechanism comprising:
- a compression spring rod assembly comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis and axially opposite ends;
- a rod member coaxial with said axis and having an inner end in said housing and an outer end axially outwardly of one of said opposite ends;
- a guide member on said inner end of said rod member for supporting said rod member during movement of said rod member;
- a compression spring extending between said guide member and the same one of said opposite ends of said housing;
- a block mounted in one of said axially opposite ends of said housing;
- and,
- a plate rotatably mounted on said block having a cammed opening therein for receiving said rod member.
4 more elements
A positive locking mechanism, comprising:
- a compression spring rod assembly comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis and axially opposite ends;
- a compression spring extending between said ends of said compression rod housing;
- a rod member coaxial with said axis and having an inner end in said housing and an outer end axially outwardly of one of said opposite ends;
- a clamp assembly comprising a collar having an opening to receive said rod, and first and second arms extending from said collar, said arms each having a tapered slot;
- a wedge member which is received by said tapered slots of said arms;
- and
- a cable connected to said wedge member for moving said wedge member into engagement with said tapered slots of said arms.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.