Rake-lever dampener of steering column
AssigneeSteering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
InventorsMichael P. Anspaugh, Donald A. Buzzard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dampener assembly for a lever is provided. The dampener assembly includes a travel limiter that defines a surface for co-acting with the dampener. The lever is configured to move from a locked position to an unlocked position to unlock a component for adjustable movement. The dampener assembly includes also a roller bumper and cam assembly that is configured to cause the surface of the travel limiter to contact the roller bumper in the unlocked position. In an exemplary embodiment, the component is a rake-telescope steering column or an adjustment assembly therefor.
Claims18
A dampener assembly for a lever comprising:
- a travel limiter that defines a surface for co-acting with the dampener, the lever configured to move from a locked position to an unlocked position to unlock a component for adjustable;
- a roller bumper;
- and
- a cam assembly that is configured to cause the surface of the travel limiter to contact the roller bumper in the unlocked position.
A lever configured to move from a locked position to an unlocked position to unlock and adjust a component, the lever comprising:
- a travel limiter;
- a roller bumper;
- and
- a cam assembly configured to cause a surface of the travel limiter to contact the roller bumper in the unlocked position.
A rake-telescope steering column comprising:
- an adjustment assembly that includes a lever configured to move from a locked position to an unlocked position to unlock and adjust the steering column, the lever comprising:
- a travel limiter;
- a roller bumper;
- and
- a cam assembly configured to cause a surface of the travel limiter to contact the roller bumper in the unlocked position.
The steering column of claim 18, wherein the pin contact with the cam assembly facilitates, with an overload or excessive unlock rotational speed, a slight over-travel motion of the lever that begins to re-clamp the steering column, which decelerates the lever and softens the unlocked engagement of the lever.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.