Position control apparatus for steering column

A position control apparatus for a rake adjustable motor vehicle steering column comprising:

• a stationary bracket having a first vertical leg with a first substantially vertical slot therein and a second vertical leg with a second substantially vertical slot therein disposed on opposite sides of a mast jacket of said steering column,
• a bolt rotatably supported on said mast jacket spanning said first and said second vertical legs through said first and said second substantially vertical slots having a head outboard of said first vertical leg and a screw thread portion outboard of said second vertical leg,
• a nut outboard of said second vertical leg engaging said screw thread portion of said bolt such that relative rotation between said bolt and said nut in a clamping direction tensions said bolt between said first and said second vertical legs and relative rotation in an opposite releasing direction releases said bolt tension between said first and said second vertical legs,
• a one-way clutch means between said bolt head and said first vertical leg operative to permit rotation of said bolt relative to said first vertical leg in only said bolt tensioning direction,
• an operating lever, and
• means connecting said operating lever to said nut for rotation as a unit therewith between a clamped position corresponding to maximum bolt tension between said first and said second vertical legs and a released position corresponding to minimum bolt tension between said first and said second vertical legs.