US20020026848A1 - Tilt-lock device for tilt-type steering column - Google Patents
Tilt-lock device for tilt-type steering column Download PDFInfo
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- US20020026848A1 US20020026848A1 US09/930,280 US93028001A US2002026848A1 US 20020026848 A1 US20020026848 A1 US 20020026848A1 US 93028001 A US93028001 A US 93028001A US 2002026848 A1 US2002026848 A1 US 2002026848A1
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- Prior art keywords
- side walls
- tilt
- distance
- jacket tube
- lock device
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
- B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
- B62D1/16—Steering columns
- B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
- B62D1/184—Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions
Definitions
- the present invention relates in general to a lock device for an automotive steering column and more particularly to a lock device for an automotive tilt-type steering column. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a tilt-lock device by which the tilt-type steering column can be tightly and adjustably fixed to the vehicle body at a desired angle.
- tilt-lock device In order to clarify the task of the present invention, one known lock device for the tilt-type steering column will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings, which is shown in Japanese Patent First Provisional Publication 6-286621. For ease of description, such lock device will be referred to as “tilt-lock device” in the following.
- the tilt-type steering column shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is of a lower-pivot type which has a lower portion pivotally connected to a lower part of a vehicle body and an upper portion detachably and adjustably fixed to the vehicle body through the tilt-lock device.
- the tilt-lock device comprises an upper clamp 3 which is secured to a robust structure of the vehicle body under a dashboard or the like.
- the upper clamp 3 is formed with two side walls 3 a and 3 b between which a generally rectangular recess 3 c is defined.
- the rectangular recess 3 c extends generally vertically.
- the side walls 3 a and 3 b are spaced from each other by the distance “A”.
- Vertically slidably held by the upper clamp 3 is a distance bracket which has side walls 5 a and 5 b intimately slidably engaged with inside surfaces of the side walls 3 a and 3 b of the upper clamp 3 .
- the distance “B” between the side walls 5 a and 5 b of the distance bracket 5 is determined substantially the same as the distance “A”.
- the side walls 5 a and 5 b are formed with inwardly bent support portions 5 a ′ and 5 b ′ for supporting and holding a jacket tube 2 of the steering column.
- the side walls 3 a and 3 b of the upper clamp 3 are formed with aligned elongate openings 6 a and 6 b (only 6 a is shown) each extending vertically, while, as is seen from FIGS. 7 and 8, the side walls 5 a and 5 b of the distance bracket 5 are formed with aligned circular openings 7 a and 7 b each having a diameter substantially equal to the width of the elongate openings 6 a and 6 b.
- a tightening bolt 8 passes through the elongate and circular openings 6 a, 6 b, 7 a and 7 b which are aligned.
- a nut is secured to the left side wall 3 a (when viewed in the drawing) of the upper clamp 3 , with which a threaded left end of the tightening bolt 8 is operatively engaged.
- the tightening bolt 8 is turned about its axis in a fastening direction, the side walls 3 a and 3 b of the upper clamp 3 are forced to bend toward each other thereby to grip the distance bracket 5 therebetween tightly. With this, the jacket tube 2 of the steering column is tightly held by the tilt-lock device.
- the distance bracket 5 can be easily moved or pivoted up or down together with the jacket tube 2 by a degree determined by the length of the elongate openings 6 a and 6 b. That is, the steering column can be shifted or pivoted to a new angular position. Thereafter, the tightening bolt 8 is turned in the fastening direction. With this, the steering column is fastened to the vehicle body at the new angular position.
- a tilt-lock device for a tilt-type steering column of a motor vehicle which comprises a clamp adapted to be fixed to a body of the motor vehicle, the clamp being formed with spaced first side walls which define therebetween a recess for passing therethrough a jacket tube of the steering column; a distance bracket formed with spaced second side walls which support thereon the jacket tube, the distance bracket being slidably movably disposed between the first side walls of the clamp in such a manner that outer surfaces of the second side walls are in contact with inner surfaces of the first side walls; openings formed in lower portions of the first and second side walls; a fastening bolt passing through the openings and having a threaded leading end projected outside of one of the first side walls, the fastening bolt being suppressed from rotation about its axis relative to the first side walls; a nut operatively engaged with the threaded leading end of the fastening bolt, the nut forcing the first side walls to incline
- a tilt-lock device for a tilt-type steering column of a motor vehicle which comprises a clamp adapted to be fixed to a body of the motor vehicle, the clamp being formed with spaced first side walls which define therebetween a rectangular recess for passing therethrough a jacket tube of the steering column; a distance bracket formed with spaced second side walls and inwardly bent support portions which support thereon the jacket tube, the distance bracket being slidably movably disposed between the first side walls of the clamp in such a manner that outer surfaces of the second side walls are in contact with inner surfaces of the first side walls; elongate openings respectively formed in lower portions of the first side walls, which are aligned; circular openings respectively formed in lower portions of the second side walls, which are aligned; a fastening bolt passing through the elongate and circular openings and having a threaded leading end projected outside of one of the first side walls; a nut operatively engaged with the threaded leading
- a tilt-lock device for a tilt-type steering column of a motor vehicle which comprises a clamp adapted to be fixed to a body of the motor vehicle, the clamp being formed with spaced first side walls which define therebetween a rectangular recess for passing therethrough a jacket tube of the steering column; a distance bracket formed with spaced second side walls whose upper ends are welded to the jacket tube, the distance bracket being slidably movably disposed between the first side walls of the clamp in such a manner that outer surfaces of the second side walls are in contact with inner surfaces of the first side walls; elongate openings respectively formed in lower portions of the first side walls, which are aligned; circular openings respectively formed in the second side walls, which are aligned; a fastening bolt passing through the elongate and circular openings and having a threaded leading end projected outside of one of the first side walls; a nut operatively engaged with the threaded leading end of the fastening
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a tilt-type steering column to which a tilt-lock device of a first embodiment of the present invention is practically applied;
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a distance bracket employed in the tilt-lock device of the first embodiment
- FIG. 4 is a right-half sectional view of the tilt-lock device of the first embodiment, showing an ideal coupling between the distance bracket and an upper clamp;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a modified distance bracket which is employed in a tilt-lock device of a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing an ideal coupling between the modified distance bracket and the upper clamp, which is established in the second embodiment;
- FIG. 7 is a partially sectional exploded view of a known tilt-lock device for a tilt-type steering column.
- FIG. 8 is a right-half sectional view of the known tilt-lock device in an assembled condition.
- FIGS. 1 to 4 there is shown a tilt-lock device 100 A which is a first embodiment of the present invention.
- the tilt-lock device 100 A is applied to a tilt-type steering column 1 which generally comprises a jacket tube 2 and a steering shaft 13 .
- the steering shaft 13 passes through the jacket tube 2 and includes a lower projected end 13 a connected through a universal joint 50 to a steering mechanism 52 of a motor vehicle and an upper projected end 13 b having a steering wheel (not shown) connected thereto.
- a lower portion of the jacket tube 2 is movably held by a lower clamp 4 fixed to the vehicle body.
- a middle portion of the jacket tube 2 is adjustably held by the tilt-lock device 100 A of the invention in such a manner as will be described in the following.
- the tilt-lock device 100 A comprises an upper clamp 3 which is secured to a robust structure of the vehicle body. Slidably movably held by the upper clamp 3 is a distance bracket 5 which holds the jacket tube 2 of the steering column.
- the upper clamp 3 is formed with two side walls 3 a and 3 b between which a generally rectangular recess 3 c is defined.
- the rectangular recess 3 c extends generally vertically.
- the distance bracket 5 has side walls 5 a and 5 b intimately slidably engaged with inner surfaces of the side walls 3 a and 3 b of the upper clamp 3 .
- the side walls 5 a and 5 b of the distance bracket 5 are formed with inwardly bent support portions 5 a ′ and 5 b ′ for supporting and holding the middle portion of the jacket tube 2 of the steering column. If desired, the support portions 5 a ′ and 5 b ′ may be welded to the jacket tube 2 .
- the side walls 3 a and 3 b of the upper lamp 3 are formed with aligned elongate openings 6 a and 6 b each extending vertically, while, the side walls 5 a and 5 b of the distance bracket 5 are formed with aligned circular openings 7 a and 7 b each having a diameter substantially equal to the width of the elongate openings 6 a and 6 b.
- a tightening bolt 8 passes through in order the elongate opening 6 a, the circular opening 7 a, the other circular opening 7 b and the other elongate opening 6 b, which are aligned.
- the tightening bolt 8 includes a projected right end 8 a which constitutes an enlarged head and a projected left end 8 b which has a nut 10 operatively engaged therewith. Between the bolt head 8 a and the right side wall 3 a of the upper clamp 3 and between the nut 10 and the left side wall 3 b of the upper clamp 3 , there are disposed washers 11 a and 11 b respectively. It is to be noted that the fastening bolt 8 has a non-cylindrical part 8 c slidably engaged with opposed side walls of the elongate opening 6 a of the right side wall 3 a of the upper clamp 3 . With this engagement, the fastening bolt 8 is suppressed from rotation about an axis thereof.
- a lock lever 9 is fixed to the nut 10 to rotate therewith.
- the lock lever 9 is manipulated to turn the fastening bolt 8 in a fastening direction, the side walls 3 a and 3 b of the upper clamp 3 are forced to bend toward each other thereby to grip the distance bracket 5 therebetween.
- the distance bracket 5 when the distance bracket 5 is kept dismantled from the upper clamp 3 , that is, when the distance bracket 5 is kept applied with no stress, the distance “C” between upper ends of the side walls 5 a and 5 b is substantially equal to the distance between inner surfaces of the side walls 3 a and 3 b of the upper clamp 3 and greater than the distance “B” between lower ends of the side walls 5 a and 5 b. That is, the distance bracket 5 is so produced or pressed as to establish the following inequality:
- each side wall 3 a or 3 b of the upper clamp 3 when, due to manipulation of the lock lever 9 in the fastening direction, the side walls 3 a and 3 b of the upper clamp 3 are inclined toward each other, the inner surface of each side wall 3 a or 3 b of the upper clamp 3 can entirely contact with the outside surface of the associated side wall 5 a or 5 b of the distance bracket 5 without producing or leaving the above-mentioned undesired wedge shaped gap “S” therebetween. That is, as is seen from FIG.
- a modified distance bracket 12 is employed and a bracket tube 2 ′ of the steeling column has an outer diameter “D” larger than that of the bracket tube 2 employed in the above-mentioned first embodiment 100 A.
- the modified distance bracket 12 has no structure corresponding to the above-mentioned side walls 5 a and 5 b of the distance bracket 5 between which the jacket tube 2 is arranged.
- the modified distance bracket 12 has two raised ridges (or side walls) 12 a and 12 b whose upper ends are welded to the jacket tube 2 ′.
- the raised ridges 12 a and 12 b are formed with aligned circular openings 7 a and 7 b.
- the outer diameter “D” of the jacket tube 2 ′ is substantially equal to the distance between inner surfaces of the side walls 3 a and 3 b of the upper clamp 3 and greater than the distance “B” between lower ends of the raised ridges 12 a and 12 b. That is, the following inequality is established:
- a tightening bolt ( 8 ) passes through in order the elongate opening 6 a, the circular opening 7 a, the other circular opening ( 7 b ) and the other elongate opening ( 6 b ), which are aligned. Furthermore, a lock lever ( 9 ), a nut ( 10 ) and washers ( 11 a and 11 b ) are incorporated with the tightening bolt ( 8 ) in substantially same manner as the first embodiment 100 A (see FIG. 2).
- each side wall 3 a (or 3 b ) of the upper clamp 3 can contact with both the jacket tube 2 ′ and the modified distance bracket 12 without producing or leaving a gap between the side wall 3 a (or 3 b ) and the cylindrical outer wall of the jacket tube 2 ′.
- the distance bracket 5 is so produced that the distance “C” between the upper ends of the side walls 5 a and 5 b thereof is substantially equal to the distance between the side walls 3 a and 3 b of the upper bracket 3 and greater than the distance “B” between the lower ends of the side walls 5 a and 5 b
- the jacket tube 2 and the distance bracket 12 are so produced that the outer diameter “D” of the jacket tube 2 is substantially equal to the distance between the side walls 3 a and 3 b of the upper clamp 3 and greater than the distance “B” between the lower ends of the raised ridges 12 a and 12 b of the distance bracket 12 .
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Abstract
A clamp is fixed to a robust portion of a vehicle body. The clamp is formed with spaced first side walls which define therebetween a recess for passing therethrough a jacket tube of a steering column. A distance bracket is formed with spaced second side walls which support thereon the jacket tube. The distance bracket is slidably movably disposed between the first side walls of the clamp in such a manner that outer surfaces of the second side walls are in contact with inner surfaces of the first side walls. Opening are formed in lower portions of the first and second side walls. A fastening bolt passes through the openings and has a threaded leading end projected outside of one of the first side walls. The fastening bolt is suppressed from rotation about its axis relative to the first side walls. A nut is operatively engaged with the threaded leading end of the fastening bolt. The nut forces the first side walls to incline toward each other when turned about the threaded leading end in a fastening direction. There is employed a means for lowering a possibility of producing a gap between each of the first side walls and each of the second side walls when the fist side walls are forced to incline toward each other.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates in general to a lock device for an automotive steering column and more particularly to a lock device for an automotive tilt-type steering column. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a tilt-lock device by which the tilt-type steering column can be tightly and adjustably fixed to the vehicle body at a desired angle.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art
- Hitherto, various lock devices for tilt-type steering columns have been proposed and put into practical use in the field of wheeled motor vehicles. With such lock devices, the tilt-type steering column can be fixed to the vehicle body at a desired angle to allow a driver to have an ideal driving posture.
- In order to clarify the task of the present invention, one known lock device for the tilt-type steering column will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings, which is shown in Japanese Patent First Provisional Publication 6-286621. For ease of description, such lock device will be referred to as “tilt-lock device” in the following.
- The tilt-type steering column shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is of a lower-pivot type which has a lower portion pivotally connected to a lower part of a vehicle body and an upper portion detachably and adjustably fixed to the vehicle body through the tilt-lock device.
- That is, as is seen from these drawings, the tilt-lock device comprises an
upper clamp 3 which is secured to a robust structure of the vehicle body under a dashboard or the like. Theupper clamp 3 is formed with twoside walls rectangular recess 3 c is defined. Therectangular recess 3 c extends generally vertically. Theside walls upper clamp 3 is a distance bracket which hasside walls side walls upper clamp 3. For this sliding connection, the distance “B” between theside walls distance bracket 5 is determined substantially the same as the distance “A”. Theside walls portions 5 a′ and 5 b′ for supporting and holding ajacket tube 2 of the steering column. As is seen from FIG. 8, theside walls upper clamp 3 are formed with alignedelongate openings side walls distance bracket 5 are formed with alignedcircular openings elongate openings - As is seen from FIG. 8, a tightening
bolt 8 passes through the elongate andcircular openings left side wall 3 a (when viewed in the drawing) of theupper clamp 3, with which a threaded left end of the tighteningbolt 8 is operatively engaged. Thus, when the tighteningbolt 8 is turned about its axis in a fastening direction, theside walls upper clamp 3 are forced to bend toward each other thereby to grip thedistance bracket 5 therebetween tightly. With this, thejacket tube 2 of the steering column is tightly held by the tilt-lock device. While, when the tighteningbolt 8 is turned in an unfastening direction, the tight engagement between thedistance bracket 5 and theupper bracket 3 becomes cancelled. Under this condition, thedistance bracket 5 can be easily moved or pivoted up or down together with thejacket tube 2 by a degree determined by the length of theelongate openings tightening bolt 8 is turned in the fastening direction. With this, the steering column is fastened to the vehicle body at the new angular position. - However, due to its inherent construction, the above-mentioned known tilt-lock device has the following drawbacks.
- That is, as is seen from FIG. 8, when the
tightening bolt 8 is turned in the fastening direction, theside walls upper clamp 3 are forced to incline toward each other. However, such inclination of theside walls side wall upper clamp 3 and the associatedside wall distance bracket 5. As is seen from the drawing, production of such gap “S” causes insufficient coupling between theupper clamp 3 and thedistance bracket 5. In other words, as shown in the drawing, due to production of such gap “S”, the practical distance “H” between theupper clamp 3 and thedistance bracket 5 becomes large because actually these two parts are connected to each other at their mutually contacting portions which are pressed against each other by the tighteningbolt 8, which induces a poor grasping of thejacket tube 2. In fact, such insufficient coupling brings about a higher possibility of transmitting undesired engine vibration to a steering wheel (not shown) mounted on the steering column, which gives the driver an unpleasant feeling. Furthermore, such insufficient coupling tends to produce noises particularly when the tilt-lock device is used for a long time. - It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tilt-lock device for a tilt-type steering column, which is free of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
- According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tilt-lock device for a tilt-type steering column of a motor vehicle, which comprises a clamp adapted to be fixed to a body of the motor vehicle, the clamp being formed with spaced first side walls which define therebetween a recess for passing therethrough a jacket tube of the steering column; a distance bracket formed with spaced second side walls which support thereon the jacket tube, the distance bracket being slidably movably disposed between the first side walls of the clamp in such a manner that outer surfaces of the second side walls are in contact with inner surfaces of the first side walls; openings formed in lower portions of the first and second side walls; a fastening bolt passing through the openings and having a threaded leading end projected outside of one of the first side walls, the fastening bolt being suppressed from rotation about its axis relative to the first side walls; a nut operatively engaged with the threaded leading end of the fastening bolt, the nut forcing the first side walls to incline toward each other when turned about the threaded leading end in a fastening direction; and means for lowering a possibility of producing a gap between each of the first side walls and each of the second side walls when the fist side walls are forced to incline toward each other.
- According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tilt-lock device for a tilt-type steering column of a motor vehicle, which comprises a clamp adapted to be fixed to a body of the motor vehicle, the clamp being formed with spaced first side walls which define therebetween a rectangular recess for passing therethrough a jacket tube of the steering column; a distance bracket formed with spaced second side walls and inwardly bent support portions which support thereon the jacket tube, the distance bracket being slidably movably disposed between the first side walls of the clamp in such a manner that outer surfaces of the second side walls are in contact with inner surfaces of the first side walls; elongate openings respectively formed in lower portions of the first side walls, which are aligned; circular openings respectively formed in lower portions of the second side walls, which are aligned; a fastening bolt passing through the elongate and circular openings and having a threaded leading end projected outside of one of the first side walls; a nut operatively engaged with the threaded leading end of the fastening bolt, the nut forcing the first side walls to incline toward each other when turned about the threaded leading end in a fastening direction; and a lock lever fixed to the nut to rotate therewith, wherein when the distance bracket is applied with substantially no stress, the distance between upper ends of the second side walls is substantially equal to the distance between the first side walls and greater than the distance between lower ends of the second side walls.
- According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tilt-lock device for a tilt-type steering column of a motor vehicle, which comprises a clamp adapted to be fixed to a body of the motor vehicle, the clamp being formed with spaced first side walls which define therebetween a rectangular recess for passing therethrough a jacket tube of the steering column; a distance bracket formed with spaced second side walls whose upper ends are welded to the jacket tube, the distance bracket being slidably movably disposed between the first side walls of the clamp in such a manner that outer surfaces of the second side walls are in contact with inner surfaces of the first side walls; elongate openings respectively formed in lower portions of the first side walls, which are aligned; circular openings respectively formed in the second side walls, which are aligned; a fastening bolt passing through the elongate and circular openings and having a threaded leading end projected outside of one of the first side walls; a nut operatively engaged with the threaded leading end of the fastening bolt, the nut forcing the first side walls to incline toward each other when turned about the threaded leading end in a fastening direction; and a lock lever fixed to the nut to rotate therewith, wherein when the jacket tube and the distance bracket are applied with substantially no stress, the outer diameter of the jacket tube is substantially equal to the distance between the first side walls and greater than the distance between lower ends of the second side walls.
- Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a tilt-type steering column to which a tilt-lock device of a first embodiment of the present invention is practically applied;
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a distance bracket employed in the tilt-lock device of the first embodiment;
- FIG. 4 is a right-half sectional view of the tilt-lock device of the first embodiment, showing an ideal coupling between the distance bracket and an upper clamp;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a modified distance bracket which is employed in a tilt-lock device of a second embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing an ideal coupling between the modified distance bracket and the upper clamp, which is established in the second embodiment;
- FIG. 7 is a partially sectional exploded view of a known tilt-lock device for a tilt-type steering column; and
- FIG. 8 is a right-half sectional view of the known tilt-lock device in an assembled condition.
- Referring to FIGS.1 to 4, there is shown a tilt-
lock device 100A which is a first embodiment of the present invention. - As is best seen from FIG. 1, the tilt-
lock device 100A is applied to a tilt-type steering column 1 which generally comprises ajacket tube 2 and asteering shaft 13. Thesteering shaft 13 passes through thejacket tube 2 and includes a lower projectedend 13 a connected through auniversal joint 50 to asteering mechanism 52 of a motor vehicle and an upper projectedend 13 b having a steering wheel (not shown) connected thereto. A lower portion of thejacket tube 2 is movably held by alower clamp 4 fixed to the vehicle body. - A middle portion of the
jacket tube 2 is adjustably held by the tilt-lock device 100A of the invention in such a manner as will be described in the following. - As is seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the tilt-
lock device 100A comprises anupper clamp 3 which is secured to a robust structure of the vehicle body. Slidably movably held by theupper clamp 3 is adistance bracket 5 which holds thejacket tube 2 of the steering column. - Similar to the above-mentioned known tilt-lock device, the
upper clamp 3 is formed with twoside walls rectangular recess 3 c is defined. Therectangular recess 3 c extends generally vertically. - As is seen from FIG. 2, vertically slidably held between the two
side walls upper clamp 3 is thedistance bracket 5. Thedistance bracket 5 hasside walls side walls upper clamp 3. Theside walls distance bracket 5 are formed with inwardly bent supportportions 5 a′ and 5 b′ for supporting and holding the middle portion of thejacket tube 2 of the steering column. If desired, thesupport portions 5 a′ and 5 b′ may be welded to thejacket tube 2. - The
side walls upper lamp 3 are formed with alignedelongate openings side walls distance bracket 5 are formed with alignedcircular openings elongate openings - A
tightening bolt 8 passes through in order theelongate opening 6 a, thecircular opening 7 a, the othercircular opening 7 b and the otherelongate opening 6 b, which are aligned. - As shown in FIG. 2, the tightening
bolt 8 includes a projectedright end 8 a which constitutes an enlarged head and a projectedleft end 8 b which has anut 10 operatively engaged therewith. Between thebolt head 8 a and theright side wall 3 a of theupper clamp 3 and between thenut 10 and theleft side wall 3 b of theupper clamp 3, there aredisposed washers fastening bolt 8 has anon-cylindrical part 8 c slidably engaged with opposed side walls of theelongate opening 6 a of theright side wall 3 a of theupper clamp 3. With this engagement, thefastening bolt 8 is suppressed from rotation about an axis thereof. - A
lock lever 9 is fixed to thenut 10 to rotate therewith. Thus, when thelock lever 9 is manipulated to turn thefastening bolt 8 in a fastening direction, theside walls upper clamp 3 are forced to bend toward each other thereby to grip thedistance bracket 5 therebetween. - According to the present invention, the following unique measures is employed.
- That is, as is seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, when the
distance bracket 5 is kept dismantled from theupper clamp 3, that is, when thedistance bracket 5 is kept applied with no stress, the distance “C” between upper ends of theside walls side walls upper clamp 3 and greater than the distance “B” between lower ends of theside walls distance bracket 5 is so produced or pressed as to establish the following inequality: - C>B (1)
- Thus, as is understood from FIGS. 2 and 4, when, due to manipulation of the
lock lever 9 in the fastening direction, theside walls upper clamp 3 are inclined toward each other, the inner surface of eachside wall upper clamp 3 can entirely contact with the outside surface of the associatedside wall distance bracket 5 without producing or leaving the above-mentioned undesired wedge shaped gap “S” therebetween. That is, as is seen from FIG. 4, the practical distance “H” between theupper clamp 3 and thedistance bracket 5 becomes very small, because eachside wall upper clamp 3 and thecorresponding side wall distance bracket 5 are entirely and evenly pressed against each other by the tighteningbolt 8. Thus, a tight coupling is established between theupper clamp 3 and thedistance bracket 5 unlike the case of the above-mentioned known tilt-lock device of FIG. 8. Thus, the undesired engine vibration transmission to the steering wheel and the production of noises are suppressed or at least minimized. - Of course, when the
lock lever 9 is turned in an unfastening direction, the tight coupling between theupper clamp 3 and thedistance bracket 5 becomes cancelled and thus the steering column can be easily moved or pivoted to a new angular position. Thereafter, thelock lever 9 is turned in the fastening direction to lock the steering column at the new angular position. - Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, particularly FIG. 6, there is shown a tilt-
lock device 100B of a second embodiment of the present invention. - In this
embodiment 100B, a modifieddistance bracket 12 is employed and abracket tube 2′ of the steeling column has an outer diameter “D” larger than that of thebracket tube 2 employed in the above-mentionedfirst embodiment 100A. - That is, the modified
distance bracket 12 has no structure corresponding to the above-mentionedside walls distance bracket 5 between which thejacket tube 2 is arranged. As shown, the modifieddistance bracket 12 has two raised ridges (or side walls) 12 a and 12 b whose upper ends are welded to thejacket tube 2′. The raisedridges circular openings jacket tube 2′ is substantially equal to the distance between inner surfaces of theside walls upper clamp 3 and greater than the distance “B” between lower ends of the raisedridges - D>B (2)
- Although not shown in the drawings, similar to the
first embodiment 100A, a tightening bolt (8) passes through in order theelongate opening 6 a, thecircular opening 7 a, the other circular opening (7 b) and the other elongate opening (6 b), which are aligned. Furthermore, a lock lever (9), a nut (10) and washers (11 a and 11 b) are incorporated with the tightening bolt (8) in substantially same manner as thefirst embodiment 100A (see FIG. 2). - Thus, as is understood from FIG. 6, when, due to manipulation of the lock lever (9) in the fastening direction, the
side walls 3 a and (3 b) of theupper clamp 3 are inclined toward each other, eachside wall 3 a (or 3 b) of theupper clamp 3 can contact with both thejacket tube 2′ and the modifieddistance bracket 12 without producing or leaving a gap between theside wall 3 a (or 3 b) and the cylindrical outer wall of thejacket tube 2′. That is, as is seen from the drawing, the practical distance “H” between theupper clamp 3 and thedistance bracket 5 becomes small like in case of the above-mentionedfirst embodiment 100A, because eachside wall 3 a (or 3 b) of theupper clamp 3 is evenly pressed against both thejacket tube 2′ and the raisedridge 12 a (or 12 b) by the tightening bolt (8). Thus, a tight coupling is established between theupper clamp 3 and thedistance bracket 12 like in case of the above-mentionedfirst embodiment 100A. - As will be understood from the foregoing description, in the
first embodiment 100A of the present invention, thedistance bracket 5 is so produced that the distance “C” between the upper ends of theside walls side walls upper bracket 3 and greater than the distance “B” between the lower ends of theside walls second embodiment 100B of the invention, thejacket tube 2 and thedistance bracket 12 are so produced that the outer diameter “D” of thejacket tube 2 is substantially equal to the distance between theside walls upper clamp 3 and greater than the distance “B” between the lower ends of the raisedridges distance bracket 12. With such measures, the practical distance “H” between theupper clamp 3 and thedistance bracket upper clamp 3 and thedistance bracket lock lever 9 in the fastening direction, as has been described hereinabove. - Although the invention has been described above with reference to certain embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications and variations of the embodiments described above will occur to those skilled in the art, in light of the above teachings.
Claims (10)
1. A tilt-lock device for a tilt-type steering column of a motor vehicle, comprising:
a clamp adapted to be fixed to a body of said motor vehicle, said clamp being formed with spaced first side walls which define therebetween a recess for passing therethrough a jacket tube of the steering column;
a distance bracket formed with spaced second side walls which support thereon said jacket tube, said distance bracket being slidably movably disposed between the first side walls of said clamp in such a manner that outer surfaces of said second side walls are in contact with inner surfaces of said first side walls;
openings formed in lower portions of said first and second side walls;
a fastening bolt passing through said openings and having a threaded leading end projected outside of one of said first side walls, said fastening bolt being suppressed from rotation about its axis relative to said first side walls;
a nut operatively engaged with said threaded leading end of the fastening bolt, said nut forcing said first side walls to incline toward each other when turned about said threaded leading end in a fastening direction; and
means for lowering a possibility of producing a gap between each of said first side walls and each of said second side walls when said fist side walls are forced to incline toward each other.
2. A tilt-lock device as claimed in claim 1 , in which said means comprises a structure of said distance bracket wherein when said distance bracket is applied with substantially no stress, the distance between upper ends of said second side walls is substantially equal to the distance between said first side walls and greater than the distance between lower ends of said second side walls.
3. A tilt-lock device as claimed in claim 2 , in which the second side walls of said distance bracket are respectively formed with inwardly bent support portions for supporting and holding said jacket tube.
4. A tilt-lock device as claimed in claim 3 , in which said inwardly bent support potions are welded to said jacket tube.
5. A tilt-lock device as claimed in claim 1 , in which said means comprises a structure of said jacket tube and said distance bracket wherein when said jacket tube and said distance bracket are applied with substantially no stress, the outer diameter of said jacket tube is substantially equal to the distance between said first side walls and greater than the distance between lower ends of said second side walls.
6. A tilt-lock device as claimed in claim 5 , in which upper ends of said second side walls are welded to said jacket tube.
7. A tilt-lock device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a lock lever which is secured to said nut to rotate therewith.
8. A tilt-lock device as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising:
a washer operatively disposed between a head portion of said fastening bolt and the other of said first side walls, said head portion being projected outside of the other of said first side walls; and
another washer operatively disposed between said nut and said one of said first side walls.
9. A tilt-lock device for a tilt-type steering column of a motor vehicle, comprising:
a clamp adapted to be fixed to a body of said motor vehicle, said clamp being formed with spaced first side walls which define therebetween a rectangular recess for passing therethrough a jacket tube of said steering column;
a distance bracket formed with spaced second side walls and inwardly bent support portions which support thereon said jacket tube, said distance bracket being slidably movably disposed between the first side walls of said clamp in such a manner that outer surfaces of said second side walls are in contact with inner surfaces of said first side walls;
elongate openings respectively formed in lower portions of said first side walls, which are aligned;
circular openings respectively formed in lower portions of said second side walls, which are aligned;
a fastening bolt passing through said elongate and circular openings and having a threaded leading end projected outside of one of said first side walls;
a nut operatively engaged with said threaded leading end of said fastening bolt, said nut forcing said first side walls to incline toward each other when turned about said threaded leading end in a fastening direction; and
a lock lever fixed to said nut to rotate therewith,
wherein when said distance bracket is applied with substantially no stress, the distance between upper ends of said second side walls is substantially equal to the distance between said first side walls and greater than the distance between lower ends of said second side walls.
10. A tilt-lock device for a tilt-type steering column of a motor vehicle, comprising:
a clamp adapted to be fixed to a body of said motor vehicle, said clamp being formed with spaced first side walls which define therebetween a rectangular recess for passing therethrough a jacket tube of said steering column;
a distance bracket formed with spaced second side walls whose upper ends are welded to said jacket tube, said distance bracket being slidably movably disposed between the first side walls of said clamp in such a manner that outer surfaces of said second side walls are in contact with inner surfaces of said first side walls;
elongate openings respectively formed in lower portions of said first side walls, which are aligned;
circular openings respectively formed in said second side walls, which are aligned;
a fastening bolt passing through said elongate and circular openings and having a threaded leading end projected outside of one of said first side walls;
a nut operatively engaged with said threaded leading end of said fastening bolt, said nut forcing said first side walls to incline toward each other when turned about said threaded leading end in a fastening direction; and
a lock lever fixed to said nut to rotate therewith,
wherein when said jacket tube and said distance bracket are applied with substantially no stress, the outer diameter of said jacket tube is substantially equal to the distance between said first side walls and greater than the distance between lower ends of said second side walls.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/930,280 US20020026848A1 (en) | 1998-10-09 | 2001-08-16 | Tilt-lock device for tilt-type steering column |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP10287155A JP2000118415A (en) | 1998-10-09 | 1998-10-09 | Steering column |
JP10-287155 | 1998-10-09 | ||
US09/409,084 US6282978B1 (en) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-09-30 | Tilt-lock device for tilt-type steering column |
US09/930,280 US20020026848A1 (en) | 1998-10-09 | 2001-08-16 | Tilt-lock device for tilt-type steering column |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/409,084 Division US6282978B1 (en) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-09-30 | Tilt-lock device for tilt-type steering column |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20020026848A1 true US20020026848A1 (en) | 2002-03-07 |
Family
ID=17713798
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/409,084 Expired - Fee Related US6282978B1 (en) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-09-30 | Tilt-lock device for tilt-type steering column |
US09/930,280 Abandoned US20020026848A1 (en) | 1998-10-09 | 2001-08-16 | Tilt-lock device for tilt-type steering column |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/409,084 Expired - Fee Related US6282978B1 (en) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-09-30 | Tilt-lock device for tilt-type steering column |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6282978B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP0992417B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2000118415A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69911536T2 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040094945A1 (en) * | 2001-09-14 | 2004-05-20 | Naoki Sawada | Shock absorbing steering column device for vehicle |
US20050093284A1 (en) * | 2002-07-02 | 2005-05-05 | Kenji Sato | Shock absorbing steering column device for vehicle |
US20050104353A1 (en) * | 2002-01-17 | 2005-05-19 | Nsk Ltd. | Steering device |
US20050236825A1 (en) * | 2002-05-10 | 2005-10-27 | Naoki Sawada | Steering device |
US20080290641A1 (en) * | 2005-07-22 | 2008-11-27 | Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag | Adjustable Steering Column for a Motor Vehicle |
US20110056324A1 (en) * | 2009-09-07 | 2011-03-10 | Mando Corporation | Steering column for vehicle |
US20120074678A1 (en) * | 2009-05-15 | 2012-03-29 | Markus Schlegel | Steering column for a motor vehicle |
US8596684B2 (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2013-12-03 | Steering Solutions Ip Holding Corporation | Horizontal hybrid collapsing steering column |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2828856B1 (en) * | 2001-08-22 | 2003-12-05 | Sai Automotive Allibert Ind | DEVICE FOR MASKING GAMES BETWEEN AN INSTRUMENT PANEL AND A COVER ELEMENT LINKED TO AN ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN |
JPWO2004022410A1 (en) * | 2002-09-04 | 2005-12-22 | 日本精工株式会社 | Vehicle-adjustable steering column device |
US20040123695A1 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-07-01 | Knott Jeffrey A. | Steering wheel tilt mechanism |
JP4541297B2 (en) | 2003-03-26 | 2010-09-08 | 日本精工株式会社 | Vehicle steering device |
GB0517780D0 (en) * | 2005-09-01 | 2005-10-12 | Trw Lucasvarity Electric Steer | A steering column assembly |
JP5070795B2 (en) * | 2006-10-19 | 2012-11-14 | 日本精工株式会社 | Steering wheel position adjustment device |
US20180229754A1 (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2018-08-16 | Nsk Ltd. | Position adjusting apparatus for steering wheel |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5117707A (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1992-06-02 | Fuji Kiko Company, Limited | Tilting steering column |
JP2989680B2 (en) * | 1991-02-15 | 1999-12-13 | 株式会社山田製作所 | Tilt and telescopic steering system |
US5338064A (en) | 1992-11-25 | 1994-08-16 | Nsk Ltd. | Tilting type steering apparatus |
JP3161864B2 (en) | 1993-03-30 | 2001-04-25 | 株式会社山田製作所 | Tilt steering device |
-
1998
- 1998-10-09 JP JP10287155A patent/JP2000118415A/en active Pending
-
1999
- 1999-09-30 US US09/409,084 patent/US6282978B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-10-04 EP EP99119631A patent/EP0992417B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-10-04 DE DE69911536T patent/DE69911536T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-08-16 US US09/930,280 patent/US20020026848A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7125046B2 (en) * | 2001-09-14 | 2006-10-24 | Nsk Ltd. | Shock absorbing steering column device for vehicle |
US20040094945A1 (en) * | 2001-09-14 | 2004-05-20 | Naoki Sawada | Shock absorbing steering column device for vehicle |
US20050104353A1 (en) * | 2002-01-17 | 2005-05-19 | Nsk Ltd. | Steering device |
US7219926B2 (en) * | 2002-01-17 | 2007-05-22 | Nsk Ltd. | Steering device |
US7328917B2 (en) * | 2002-05-10 | 2008-02-12 | Nsk Ltd. | Steering device |
US20050236825A1 (en) * | 2002-05-10 | 2005-10-27 | Naoki Sawada | Steering device |
US20050093284A1 (en) * | 2002-07-02 | 2005-05-05 | Kenji Sato | Shock absorbing steering column device for vehicle |
US7384070B2 (en) * | 2002-07-02 | 2008-06-10 | Nsk, Ltd. | Shock absorbing steering column device for vehicle |
US8596684B2 (en) * | 2004-04-30 | 2013-12-03 | Steering Solutions Ip Holding Corporation | Horizontal hybrid collapsing steering column |
US20080290641A1 (en) * | 2005-07-22 | 2008-11-27 | Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag | Adjustable Steering Column for a Motor Vehicle |
US7918483B2 (en) | 2005-07-22 | 2011-04-05 | Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag | Adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle |
US20120074678A1 (en) * | 2009-05-15 | 2012-03-29 | Markus Schlegel | Steering column for a motor vehicle |
US8480129B2 (en) * | 2009-05-15 | 2013-07-09 | Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft | Steering column for a motor vehicle |
US20110056324A1 (en) * | 2009-09-07 | 2011-03-10 | Mando Corporation | Steering column for vehicle |
US8459141B2 (en) * | 2009-09-07 | 2013-06-11 | Mando Corporation | Steering column for vehicle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69911536D1 (en) | 2003-10-30 |
EP0992417A3 (en) | 2000-08-23 |
EP0992417A2 (en) | 2000-04-12 |
DE69911536T2 (en) | 2004-04-29 |
EP0992417B1 (en) | 2003-09-24 |
JP2000118415A (en) | 2000-04-25 |
US6282978B1 (en) | 2001-09-04 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |