Releasable push/pull lock device of an adjustable steering column assembly

A releasable lock device for an adjustable steering column assembly of a vehicle having a steering shaft rotatable about an axis and a co-extending housing journaled to the shaft and engaged operably to a bracket, the releasable lock device comprising:

• a first member constructed and arranged for movement in a first direction traverse to the axis;
• a lever constructed and arranged for movement in a second direction substantially parallel to the axis, said first member located outward from said lever and with respect to the axis;
• an elongated linkage having a first end and an opposite second end;
• a first coupling orientated between said first end and said first member;
• a second coupling orientated between said second end and said lever;
• a carrier having a first end fixed rigidly to the first member and projecting from the first member and past the lever;
• an indexing apparatus carried by said carrier for selectable adjustment of the steering column assembly, said indexing apparatus having a spring for exerting a force that biases the lock device toward said unlocked position;
• and
• an over the center feature for resiliently snap locking the lock device in said locked position for resisting said biasing force of said spring;
• wherein movement of said lever in said second direction and from an unlocked position to a locked position moves said linkage toward a perpendicular orientation with respect to the axis.

A releasable lock device for an adjustable steering column assembly of a vehicle having a steering shaft rotatable about an axis and a co-extending housing journaled to the shaft and engaged operably to a bracket, the releasable lock device comprising:

• a first member constructed and arranged for movement in a first direction traverse to the axis;
• a lever constructed and arranged for movement in a second direction substantially parallel to the axis;
• an elongated first linkage having a first end and an opposite second end;
• a first coupling orientated between said first end and said first member;
• a second coupling orientated between said second end and said lever;
• a second member;
• wherein said lever extends between said first and second members;
• an elongated second linkage having a first end and an opposite second end;
• a third coupling carried between said first end of said second linkage and said second member;
• and
• a fourth coupling carried between said second end of said second linkage and said lever;
• wherein movement of said lever in said second direction and from an unlocked position to a locked position moves said linkage toward a perpendicular orientation with respect to the axis.

A releasable lock device for an adjustable steering column assembly of a vehicle having a steering shaft rotatable about an axis and a co-extending housing journaled to the shaft and engaged operably to a bracket, the releasable lock device comprising:

• a first member constructed and arranged for movement in a first direction traverse to the axis;
• a lever constructed and arranged for movement in a second direction substantially parallel to the axis;
• an elongated first linkage having a first end and an opposite second end;
• a first coupling orientated between said first end and said first member;
• and
• a second coupling orientated between said second end and said lever;
• wherein said first and second couplings are pivoting joints each having a pin about which said linkage pivots, and movement of said lever in said second direction and from an unlocked position to a locked position moves said linkage toward a perpendicular orientation with respect to the axis.

An adjustable steering column assembly of a vehicle comprising:

• a stationary bracket;
• a steering shaft rotatable about an axis;
• a housing journaled to and co-extending with said steering shaft and engaged operably to said bracket;
• and
• a lock device, said lock device comprising:
• a carrier supported slidably by said bracket along at least a first direction and being in selectable contact with said housing;
• a toggle apparatus having a nonpivoting push/pull lever extending along a second direction traverse to said first direction, a first member engaged to said carrier and a first linkage having a first end in pivoting contact with said first member and a second end in pivoting contact with said lever;
• and
• wherein rectilinear movement of said lever along said second direction causes said linkage to pivot and said carrier to move along said first direction for actuation of said lock device between locked and unlocked positions.