Rake lever actuated shift mechanism clamp
AssigneeSteering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
InventorsMichael C. Vermeersch, Arthur W. Nellett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamp assembly for a vehicle shift mechanism includes a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion. The clamp assembly also includes a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column and slidably engaged with the stationary portion of the steering column. The clamp assembly further includes a primary rake lever configured to translationally adjust the moveable portion of the steering column. The clamp assembly yet further includes a secondary rake lever operatively coupled to the primary rake lever and operative to exert a clamping force on a portion of the shifter during translational adjustment of the moveable portion.
Claims15
A clamp assembly for a vehicle shift mechanism comprising:
- a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion;
- a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column and slidably engaged with the stationary portion of the steering column;
- a primary rake lever configured to translationally adjust the moveable portion of the steering column;
- a secondary rake lever operatively coupled to the primary rake lever and operative to exert a clamping force on a portion of the shifter during translational adjustment of the moveable portion;
- and
- a rake bolt operatively coupled to the primary rake lever and to the stationary portion of the steering column, the secondary rake lever operatively coupled to the rake bolt, the rake bolt and the secondary rake lever each rotatable upon rotation of the primary rake lever, the secondary rake lever rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position;
- further comprising a glide system comprising:
- a sliding member extending from the shifter;
- and
- a bracket extending from the stationary portion, the bracket having an inner wall defining a slot extending longitudinally along the stationary portion, the sliding member slidably disposed within the slot;
- the sliding member comprising a T-shaped geometry.
A clamp assembly for a vehicle shift mechanism comprising:
- a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion;
- a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column and slidably engaged with the stationary portion of the steering column;
- a primary rake lever configured to translationally adjust the moveable portion of the steering column;
- a secondary rake lever operatively coupled to the primary rake lever and operative to exert a clamping force on a portion of the shifter during translational adjustment of the moveable portion;
- and
- a rake bolt operatively coupled to the primary rake lever and to the stationary portion of the steering column, the secondary rake lever operatively coupled to the rake bolt, the rake bolt and the secondary rake lever each rotatable upon rotation of the primary rake lever, the secondary rake lever rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the sliding member clamped between the secondary rake lever and the inner wall of the bracket when the secondary rake lever is in the locked position.
A clamp assembly for a vehicle shift mechanism comprising:
- a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion;
- a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column and slidably engaged with the stationary portion of the steering column;
- a primary rake lever configured to translationally adjust the moveable portion of the steering column;
- a secondary rake lever operatively coupled to the primary rake lever;
- a cam portion of the secondary rake lever configured to bias a bolt against a portion of the shifter in a locked position, the bolt being spring biased to retract away from contact with the portion of the shifter in an unlocked position;
- and
- a rake bolt operatively coupled to the primary rake lever and to the stationary portion of the steering column, the secondary rake lever operatively coupled to the rake bolt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.