Tilt steering column

#The present invention relates to a tilt steering column for a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a steering column for a vehicle that allows variable steering wheel positioning while maintaining the steering wheel orientation.

#Steering columns employing a tilt mechanism allow simple, quick and convenient adjustment of a steering wheel in a plurality of positions. In a typical tilt mechanism, a column-mounted lever unlocks the tilt mechanism, allowing the driver to move the upper column and steering wheel to the desired position along an arcuate path in a plane defined in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The tilt mechanism allows the steering wheel to be placed at any one of a plurality of positions located along the arcuate path. Once the steering wheel is at the desired position, the lever is returned to the original position to lock the position of the column and the steering wheel. The orientation of the steering wheel is increasingly angled as the steering column is moved upward or downward along the arcuate path from a horizontal position.

#Due to various factors, a driver may be injured through impact with the steering wheel during a collision. One of the factors is the relative proximity and orientation of the steering wheel to the driver. For example, as the steering column is tilted upwardly, a lower edge of the steering wheel is closest to the driver and may contact the chest of the driver during a collision. The reduced contact area of the steering wheel may focus collision forces when impacting the driver.

#The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a tilt steering column constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the tilt steering column of FIG. 1 in a plurality of different positions shown in phantom;

#The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

#With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a tilt steering column 10 is shown in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The tilt steering column 10 is shown to include a column mount 12 adapted to be attached to a vehicle 14, a tilt head 16 adapted to be attached to a steering wheel 18 and a plurality of orientation links 20 that are rotatably coupled to both the column mount 12 and the tilt head 16. In operation, the tilt steering column 10 allows the steering wheel 18 to be positioned in various positions corresponding to the position of the driver. The tilt steering column 10 also aligns the steering wheel 18 in an orientation that more uniformly distributes any collision force applied to the driver when contacting the steering wheel 18 during a collision.

#As shown in FIG. 1, the column mount 12 generally includes a main body portion 22 substantially defining the shape of the column mount 12. The column mount 12 also includes an aperture 24 for receiving a portion of the tilt steering mechanism (not shown). The aperture 24 is shown as a bore extending through the column mount 12 in an axial direction. It is contemplated that the aperture 24 may be formed in a variety of different shapes such as a slot or a channel extending through the column mount 12 to receive a portion of the steering mechanism. Additionally, the column mount 12 includes a plurality of attachment ribs 26 for attaching the orientation links 20 to the column mount 12. As shown, attachment ribs 26 extend from the main body portion 22 of the column mount 12 and include a bore 28 formed therethrough for rotatably coupling the orientation links 20 to the column mount 12.