Retractable steering column assembly having lever, vehicle having retractable steering column assembly, and method
AssigneeSteering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
InventorsChristopher F. Watz, Todd M. King, James E. Rouleau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steering column assembly includes a steering column having a longitudinal axis; and a lever. The lever includes a first end and a second end. The second end of the lever is attached to the steering column. A hinge is disposed between the first end and the second end of the lever. The first end of the lever is biased away from the steering column in a first condition and folded at the hinge towards the steering column in a second condition.
Claims22
A steering column assembly comprising:
- a steering column having a longitudinal axis;
- and,
- a lever having a first end and a second end, the second end of the lever attached to the steering column, a hinge disposed between the first end and the second end of the lever, the first end of the lever biased away from the steering column in a first condition and folded at the hinge towards the steering column in a second condition.
A vehicle comprising:
- an instrument cluster;
- and,
- a steering column assembly including:
- a steering column having a longitudinal axis, the steering column movable along the longitudinal axis and with respect to the instrument cluster between an extended position and a retracted position;
- and,
- a lever having a first end and a second end, the second end of the lever attached to the steering column, a hinge disposed between the first end and the second end of the lever, the first end of the lever biased away from the steering column in the extended position of the steering column and folded at the hinge towards the steering column in the retracted position of the steering column.
A method of operating a steering column assembly in a vehicle, the method comprising:
- retracting a steering input device connected to an end of a steering column towards an instrument cluster;
- engaging an edge of the instrument cluster with a lever connected to the steering column;
- and,
- folding at least a portion of the lever towards the steering column about a hinge of the lever when the lever engages with the edge during the retracting of the steering input device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.