Apparatus for adjusting a vehicle steering mechanism

An adjustable steering apparatus for vehicles, including:

• an elongated first steering member.
• a second steering member and a first connecting means for joining said second steering member with respect to one end of said first steering member for pivoting relative to the first steering member about a first transverse axis, said first connecting means comprising a first pin integral with said second steering member, and extended in the direction of said first transverse axis, and means forming a first sleeve integral with said first steering member, said first pin rotatable in the first sleeve;
• a third steering member, and a second connecting means for joining said third steering member with respect to the opposite end of said first steering member for pivoting relative to the first steering member about a second transverse axis, said second connecting means comprising a second pin integral with said third steering member and extended in the direction of said second transverse axis, and means forming a second sleeve integral with said first steering member, said second pin rotatable in the second sleeve;
• a first locking means comprising a first cylinder integral with said second steering member, and a first pawl mounted with respect to said first steering member for movement toward and away from locking engagement with said first cylinder, for substantially rigidly securing said first and second steering members against pivoting relative to one another when said first cylinder and first panel are in locking engagement, and for permitting such pivoting when they disengage;
• a second locking means comprising a second cylinder integral with said third steering member and a second pawl mounted with respect to said first steering member for movement toward and away from locking engagement with the second cylinder, for substantially rigidly securing said first and third steering members against pivoting relative to one another when said second cylinder and second pawl are in locking engagement, and for permitting such pivoting when they are disengaged;
• and
• a cam rotatably mounted with respect to said first member and between said pawls, and movable between a locking position and a release position, and biasing means for urging each of said first and second pawls away from its locking engagement and toward said cam;
• said cam allowing said pawls to more responsive to their respective biasing means to simultaneously disengage said first locking means and said second locking means as the cam is moved from said locking position toward said release position, and moving said pawls against the force of their respective biasing means to simultaneously engage said first locking means and said second locking means as the cam is moved from said release position toward said locking position.