Adjustable Patents (Class 74/493)
  • Patent number: 9016723
    Abstract: A steering wheel arrangement for a motor vehicle has a steering wheel which is coupled in terms of movement to a steerable axle of the motor vehicle via a steering axle. The steering wheel is arranged rotatably on a steering column having a housing body. The housing body has at least one upwardly open recess which is bounded at least by two opposite walls extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Peter Zeinar, Immo Redeker
  • Patent number: 9016160
    Abstract: A telescopic-type steering system includes an upper tube and a lower tube that are coupled to each other such that relative displacement between the upper tube and the lower tube is allowed. The steering system includes a coupling wire that is at least partially formed of an insulating member and that has one end portion and the other end portion that are electrically insulated from each other. In the steering system, the upper tube and the lower tube are coupled to each other by the coupling wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Ichie, Yoshihide Ohara, Kazutaka Awata, Toru Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20150107398
    Abstract: Construction of an outer column for a telescopic steering apparatus is achieved in which sufficient strength is maintained even when a steering lock apparatus is assembled, and smooth operation is maintained when making it possible to adjust the forward/backward position of a steering wheel, and when maintaining the adjusted position. Of the end sections 58a, 58b, 59a, 59b of the sub slit sections 52a, 52b of an approximately H-shaped slit 19a for expanding or contracting the inner diameter of a fitting support portion 31a of an outer column 11b, the rigidity of the nearest end section 58a portion that exists in the location closest to a lock through hole 37a and of the furthest end section 59a portion that exists in a location diagonally from the nearest end section 58a, is greater than the rigidity of the end sections 58b, 59b in the remaining two locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nagasawa, Suguru Sugishita, Takahiro Maniwa
  • Publication number: 20150107399
    Abstract: Construction of an outer column for a telescopic steering apparatus is achieved that maintains sufficient strength, and maintains smooth operation of the work of making it possible to adjust the forward-backward position of a steering wheel and maintaining the steering wheel at the adjusted position even when a steering-lock apparatus is assembled. An approximately H-shaped slit 31 for expanding or contracting the inner diameter of a fitting-holding portion 30a of an outer column 10b comprises a main-slit section 39 and a pair of sub-slit sections 40a, 40b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Makoto Nagasawa, Suguru Sugishita, Takahiro Maniwa
  • Patent number: 9010215
    Abstract: The invention relates to a telescopable steering spindle having an inner spindle and an outer spindle, which are arranged coaxially in relation to one another and have an out-of-round cross section for torque transmission, wherein an intermediate space is provided between the outer spindle and the inner spindle, a sliding sleeve being arranged in the said intermediate space, wherein the sliding sleeve is provided with a surface structuring on at least one surface facing the inner spindle or the outer spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG
    Inventor: Andreas Rietzler
  • Publication number: 20150101444
    Abstract: When clamped side plates of an upper column bracket (movable bracket) are fastened via clamping side plates of an upper fixed bracket by a fastening shaft in response to a rotating operation of an operating lever, the brackets are locked with each other. A pressing mechanism that includes a pressing member moves in the axial direction of the fastening shaft in accordance with fastening by the fastening shaft, and presses a lower tube (inner tube) through an insertion hole formed in an upper tube (outer tube). The entirety of the axial force of the fastening shaft is used as a retaining force for retaining the posture of a steering column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Eiji TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20150101443
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a shaft coupling is provided. The shaft coupling comprises a first shaft having a splined outer surface, a tubular second shaft having an end surface and a splined inner surface, the second shaft receiving the first shaft along a longitudinal axis of the second shaft, and at least one stake extending axially into the second shaft end surface. The at least one stake deforms at least a portion of the splined inner surface to facilitate an interference fit between the first and second shafts and configured to resist a predetermined axial separation load being applied to the first and second shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew D. Vasicek, Brandon G. Wynn, Zachery P. Schultz, David G. Matousek
  • Patent number: 9004533
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes an inner column, an outer column fitted onto the inner column, a vehicle body mounting bracket, a distance bracket fixed to the outer circumference of the outer column and slidably held between left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket, and a tightening rod. The distance bracket is formed with telescopic slots through which the tightening rod is inserted. The distance bracket includes left and right front tightening portions and left and right rear tightening portions. The axial distance between the pair of left and right front tightening portions and the pair of left and right rear tightening portions is shorter than the axial length of each telescopic slot. The outer column is formed with a pair of left and right through-holes into which the left and right front tightening portions or the left and right rear tightening portions is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Moriyama, Kazuhiko Kojima
  • Patent number: 9004534
    Abstract: Provided is construction of a steering apparatus for an automobile that is capable of simplifying tuning for stabilizing forward displacement in the forward direction of a steering wheel during a secondary collision, and preventing damage to the component members of the section that supports a bracket 12b on the column side with respect to the bracket 11 on the vehicle side. In construction where the bracket on the vehicle side 11 and the bracket 12b on the column side are connected at only one location in the center section in the width direction of the both brackets by a locking capsule, the top edges of a pair of protruding sections 63 that protrude to both the left and right sides of the bracket 12b on the column side closely face the bottom edge of a bent section 56 of the bracket 11 on the vehicle side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Minamigata, Minao Umeda, Takeshi Fujiwara, Osamu Tatewaki, Kiyoshi Sadakata
  • Publication number: 20150096405
    Abstract: Fork lift truck 10, comprising a steering means 20, the steering means 20 comprising a steering column 30 which is adjustable by extending and retracting along an adjustment axis 21, a steering wheel 40 that is arranged on the steering column 30, a locking means 50 for locking the steering column 30 at a position along the adjustment axis of the steering column 30 and for releasing the steering column 30 for adjustment, a release button 60 that is connected to the locking means 50 and is adapted to control the locking means 50, wherein upon pushing of the release button 60, the release button 60 releases the locking means 50 thereby enabling the adjustment of the steering column 30, and wherein, simultaneously by one hand, said release button 60 can be actuated and the steering column 30 adjustment can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Hoock
  • Patent number: 8997603
    Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises an upper column jacket, a collar assembly, a position lock bracket, and a guide clamp. A guide shaft extends from a guide end of the collar assembly, and a cam shaft extends from a cam end of the collar assembly. The guide shaft extends through an adjustment channel defined in the position lock bracket, and the cam shaft extends through an adjustment channel defined in the position lock bracket. A guide clamp is disposed along the guide shaft between the upper column jacket and the position lock bracket, and a guide retainer is fixed to the guide shaft such that, when the steering column assembly is in a locked mode, the guide clamp is placed in compression between the upper column jacket and the position lock bracket, which is placed in compression between the guide clamp and the guide retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Donald A. Buzzard
  • Patent number: 8997602
    Abstract: When clamped side plates of an upper column bracket (movable bracket) are fastened via clamping side plates of an upper fixed bracket by a fastening shaft in response to a rotating operation of an operating lever, the brackets are locked with each other. A pressing mechanism that includes a pressing member moves in the axial direction of the fastening shaft in accordance with fastening by the fastening shaft, and presses a lower tube (inner tube) through an insertion hole formed in an upper tube (outer tube). The entirety of the axial force of the fastening shaft is used as a retaining force for retaining the posture of a steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20150090068
    Abstract: A dampener assembly for a lever is provided. The dampener assembly includes a travel limiter that defines a surface for co-acting with the dampener. The lever is configured to move from a locked position to an unlocked position to unlock a component for adjustable movement. The dampener assembly includes also a roller bumper and cam assembly that is configured to cause the surface of the travel limiter to contact the roller bumper in the unlocked position. In an exemplary embodiment, the component is a rake-telescope steering column or an adjustment assembly therefor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Donald A. Buzzard
  • Publication number: 20150090067
    Abstract: The electric steering wheel position adjustment apparatus of the present invention is constructed so as to improve the support rigidity of a portion that constitutes a steering column apparatus thereof, such that the steering shaft 2b and the steering column 5b have non-expandable construction, but are able to be displaced in the axial direction; holding holes are provided in at least two locations on the top side of the column holder 31 that supports the steering column 5b; and in each of the holding holes, a sliding plate 35, an elastic member 37 and a cover 38 are assembled such that the sliding plate 35 is elastically compressed by the elastic member 37 and pushes the outer circumferential surface of the steering column 5b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Iwakawa, Yoshiyuki Sekii, Hiroshi Kakita
  • Patent number: 8991863
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device for an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, wherein the locking device has a cam bracket having at least one cam arranged in a fixed manner thereon and at least one mating cam bracket having at least one mating cam arranged in a fixed manner thereon and at least one stop. The cam bracket and the mating cam bracket are arranged so as to be rotatable relative to each other around an axis of rotation, and the cam of the first cam bracket interacts with the mating cam of the mating cam bracket upon rotation of the cam bracket and mating cam bracket relative to each other around the axis of rotation in order to generate a stroke in the longitudinal direction of the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Hahn, Martin Fleischer
  • Patent number: 8991865
    Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprising a mounting structure, the mounting structure comprising a first part for connecting to the body of a vehicle and a second part for connecting to part of a steering mechanism, the first and second parts being interconnected to permit relative movement therebetween as the assembly collapses, wherein: one of the first or second parts comprises a slot, the slot comprising a pocket and a channel defined by two opposing sidewalls, each sidewall being the outer edge of a deformable structure; the other of the first or second parts comprises a lug, the lug extending into the pocket when the assembly is in a non-collapsed state and being configured to be driven through the channel to cause plastic deformation of the deformable structure as the assembly collapses; and the assembly comprises a re-enforcement that limits the plastic deformation of the deformable structure during the collapsing stroke to regions of the deformable structure adjacent to regions of the channe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: McLaren Automotive Limited
    Inventor: Steven James Randle
  • Patent number: 8991861
    Abstract: In order to make it possible to stably and smoothly perform the operation of position adjustment of a steering wheel 1, the electric position adjustment apparatus for a steering wheel of the present invention is such that: a concave engaging section 19a of a moving piece 16a that moves in the forward/backward direction with an electric motor 56 as a driving source has a cylindrical concave-shaped inner-circumferential surface; a cylindrical column section 65 of a transmission member 17a that transmits the movement of the moving piece 16a to a steering column 5b is inserted into the concave engaging section 19a by way of cylindrical spacer 72 and has a cylindrical convex-shaped outer-circumferential surface; and a cylindrical spacer 72 has a cylindrical convex-shaped outer-circumferential surface and a cylindrical concave-shaped inner-circumferential surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Iwakawa, Yoshiyuki Sekii, Hiroshi Kakita
  • Patent number: 8984985
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a steering column rotating integrally with a steering wheel, a bracket supporting the steering column via a bearing in such a manner that the steering column is rotatable, and a fixation piece fixed to a vehicle body, where the bracket includes a locking hole, and during a normal state, the fixation piece is locked on a lower surface of an edge portion enclosing the locking hole thereby locking the bracket to the fixation piece, the bracket includes a pair of guided portions extending from opposing side portions of the locking hole toward the steering wheel, and during a secondary collision, the bracket moves forward to detach the fixation piece from the locking hole, and then, the fixation piece is locked on lower surfaces of the pair of guided portions, while guiding the pair of guided portions in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Kogure
  • Patent number: 8984983
    Abstract: A steering column arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a bracket, to which a jacket tube of a steering column supporting a steering shaft is releasably fixed by a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes at least one clamping part that is supple in the transverse direction (y direction) of the steering column arrangement and rigid in shear terms in the longitudinal direction (x direction and z direction) of the steering column arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Detlef Hansen, Horst Hartmann, Jens-Werner Kirchner, Holger Kittler, Ivica Milicevic, Ralf Prigge
  • Patent number: 8984984
    Abstract: The steering apparatus includes an inner column, a left-right pair of outer column half bodies, a fixing bracket having fixing side portions, and a clamping tool. In a condition where the inner column is clamped fixedly via the clamping tool, the inner column is held by the holding surface portions of the two outer column half bodies, and an upper recessed indentation portion and a lower recessed indentation portion that do not contact the inner column are formed on the respective holding surface portions of the two outer column half bodies. Strip-form contact portions that contact the inner column are formed in locations on either circumferential direction side of the upper recessed indentation portion and the lower recessed indentation portion, the strip-form contact portions being formed in at least four locations on the two outer column half bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Yamada Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiko Yokota, Takahiro Maniwa
  • Patent number: 8985628
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a steering column of a motor vehicle for axial and/or vertical positioning of a steering wheel connected to the steering column is provided. The adjusting device comprises a locking device and an electric switch configured to actuate the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Ehrlich, Thomas Degenstein
  • Publication number: 20150075316
    Abstract: The electric steering wheel position adjustment apparatus of the present invention comprises: a non-expandable steering shaft 2b; a non-expandable steering column 5b; a column holder 31 that supports the steering column 5b so as to be able to move in the axial direction; a pair of left and right tilt shafts 33 that support the column holder 31 so as to be able to pivotally move around the center axis thereof; and an expandable intermediate shaft 28 that is connected to the steering shaft 2b by way of a universal joint 27b; and a tilt shafts 33 that are arranged so that the center axis thereof is orthogonal to the center axis of the steering shaft 2b. The center axis OC of the pair of left and right tilt shafts 33 is located in a range between the position OF of the center of displacement of the front-end section and the position OB of the center of displacement of the rear-end section of the universal joint 27b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Masato Iwakawa, Yoshiyuki Sekii, Hiroshi Kakita
  • Patent number: 8978510
    Abstract: A locking device for a steering column is provided. The locking device includes an operating lever configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, an actuating body configured to rotate in response to rotation of the operating lever and a locking cam operably connected to the actuating body and rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to rotation of the actuating body. The locking cam includes an eccentric locking surface having a plurality of locking teeth. A locking segment is positioned adjacent to the locking cam, the locking segment having a plurality of segment teeth formed thereon. A shaft extends along a first axis and the actuating body and locking cam are positioned on the shaft and configured to rotate about the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Melvin Lee Tinnin, Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Patent number: 8979128
    Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly includes a bracket, the bracket having a front portion and a back portion, the front portion comprising a pair of spaced arms, each arm having an inner surface that opposes the inner surface of the other and an opposed outer surface; a steering column having a longitudinal axis and comprising an inner jacket that is slidably disposed within an inner surface of the outer jacket, an outer surface of the outer jacket located within the inner surface of the spaced arms; and a locking device that passes through and is coupled to the spaced arms and the outer jacket, the locking device movable to lock or unlock the slidable disposition of the inner jacket within the outer jacket by respective application or release of a predetermined clamping force to the outer surface of the arm, outer bracket and inner bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jason R. Ridgway, Malgorzata Renata Szeliga
  • Patent number: 8979126
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for a vehicle, includes: a steering column; a single electric motor being selectively connected to a telescopic mechanism or a tilt mechanism; a steering wheel; a drive mechanism transmitting an output torque of the electric motor to a telescopic threaded shaft and a tilt threaded shaft; and a connecting-disconnecting mechanism having a first clutch mechanism connecting and disconnecting the drive mechanism to and from the tilt threaded shaft and a second clutch mechanism connecting and disconnecting the drive mechanism to and from the telescopic threaded shaft, the connecting-disconnecting mechanism bringing one of the first clutch mechanism and the second clutch mechanism in a connected state to the drive mechanism and bringing the other of the first clutch mechanism and the second clutch mechanism in a disconnected state from the drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism and the connecting-disconnecting mechanism constitute a single power connecting-disconnecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Morinaga, Yasuaki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 8979127
    Abstract: Disclosed is a steering column for a vehicle. According to the present invention, as an adjusting bolt passing through a telescope slot to be coupled to the telescopic slot is slid in stages in the telescopic slot during a telescopic operation for adjusting a location of a steering wheel, a user can accurately and easily adjust the location of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Gwi Sik Bang
  • Publication number: 20150068353
    Abstract: Construction is achieved that, when performing operation in order to maintain the position of a steering wheel after adjustment, is capable of reducing the operation torque that is applied to an adjustment lever 14 during the first half of the operation, and is capable of improving operability. Portions (virtual sliding-contact section lines M) of the drive-side cam surfaces 20a that can come in sliding contact with the driven-side continuous surfaces 24a when moving from a state in which the position of the steering wheel can be adjusted to a state in which the adjusted position can be maintained, are inclined toward one side in the circumferential direction at the time when the virtual sliding-contact section lines M overlap one end N1 in the circumferential direction of the driven-side continuous surfaces 24a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Shin Mihara, Hiroyuki Hattori
  • Publication number: 20150068354
    Abstract: A steering device includes an inner column, an outer column that includes a left-right pair of outer column half bodies having holding surface portions formed on respective inner surface sides thereof, the two holding surface portions constituting a holding inner peripheral surface for holding an outer peripheral surface of the inner column; a pivot bracket in which hanging side portions are formed on either width direction side of a pivot upper portion; a fixing bracket provided with fixing side portions on either width direction side; and a clamping tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Takahiro MANIWA, Norihiko YOKOTA
  • Patent number: 8973944
    Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises an upper column for supporting a steering wheel and a position lock bracket disposed about the upper column. The position lock bracket is configured to be fixed to the upper column when the position lock bracket occupies a locked mode. The position lock bracket is further configured to be selectively fixed to a rigid structure of the vehicle when operating in a fixed mode and to be instantaneously released from the vehicle structure when operating in a release mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Riefe, Ravi Ravindra, David G. Motousek
  • Publication number: 20150059512
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a fixing bracket; an outer column A including a gripping main body portion which is installed swingably on the fixing bracket and which grips an inner pipe, a slit portion formed along the gripping main body portion, clamping portions formed along an axial direction of slit edges which are mutually opposing in the width direction of the slit portion, and a coupling portion which couples together the two clamping portions; and a clamping tool which expands and contracts an interval between the two coupling portions of the outer column A. The coupling portion projects to the outer side of a forming region of the slit portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Takahiro Kawakami, Kazunari Machida
  • Patent number: 8967016
    Abstract: A supporting unit of a telescopic adjustment mechanism is placed within an opening hole formed at one end side of an outer jacket and fixed to an outer peripheral surface of an inner jacket. A tip of a screw axle which is movable in an axial direction of a jacket is linked to the supporting unit. The inner jacket placed at an inside of an outer jacket is pressed on an inner peripheral surface of outer jacket by means of a biasing mechanism placed at an opposite side of the opening hole. Thus, positions of the supporting unit and the biasing mechanism along the axial direction of the jacket are substantially coincident with each other and the supporting unit is placed within the outer jacket in the axial direction of the jacket. Consequently, a steering column apparatus can be small-sized in the axial direction of the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yota Uesaka
  • Patent number: 8967017
    Abstract: A steering device includes a housing constituted by an enclosing main body section, a separation section formed on two sides of on the lower side of the enclosing main body section along the axial direction thereof, and clamping sections formed respectively on two sides of the enclosing main body section so as to face each other in the lateral direction of the separation section; a fixed bracket having fixed side sections that clamp the housing at two sides in the lateral direction; a clamp that clamps the two clamping sections of the housing and the two fixed side sections of the fixed bracket; an outer pipe having at the axially front side thereof a slit formed in the axial direction; and an inner pipe inserted into the inner circumferential side of the outer pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Yamada Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihito Osawa, Toru Sekiguchi, Katsutoshi Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20150053041
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle including a steering spindle bearing unit for rotatably supporting a steering spindle of the steering column and a bracket unit for securing the steering column on the motor vehicle. The steering spindle bearing unit is bearing supported by a securement device on at least one bracket part of the bracket unit, wherein the position of the steering spindle bearing unit relative to the bracket unit is secured in position in a closed position of the securement device and, in an open position of the securement device, is displaceable. The securement device includes an operating lever swivellable about a lever swivel axis, by which the operating lever is displaceable between the closed position and the open position. The steering column includes at least one damping element for damping the swivel movement of the operating lever about the lever swivel axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Hieronymus Schnitzer, Philipp Manger
  • Patent number: 8960050
    Abstract: The invention provides a lever assembly for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly. The lever assembly includes a first lever portion pivotable about a locking axis between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of a steering column assembly and an unlocked position spaced from the locked position. The steering column assembly is moveable in adjusting movement when the first lever portion is in the unlocked position. The lever assembly also includes a second lever portion defining a handle portion and operable to rotate about the locking axis. The lever assembly also includes a lost motion linkage disposed between the first lever portion and the second lever portion. The lost motion linkage is operable to transmit rotation of the second lever portion about the locking axis to pivot the first lever portion between the locked position and the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Cymbal, Michael P. Anspaugh, Damir Menjak, Olivier Pugliese
  • Patent number: 8955881
    Abstract: A steering column assembly having a standard operating position and a collapsed position is provided. The steering column assembly includes a lower column jacket, an upper column jacket selectively slidable relative to the lower column jacket, a rake bracket, and a biasing member. The rake bracket is attached to one the lower column jacket and the upper column jacket, and has a bracket retaining feature. The biasing member selectively exerts a biasing force on the upper column jacket in the standard operating position. The biasing member has a biasing member retaining feature that engages with the bracket retaining feature in the standard operating position and disengages with the bracket retaining feature in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Melvin L. Tinnin
  • Patent number: 8955407
    Abstract: It might happen that an inner column 3 is released from telescopic clamping and tilt clamping by an outer column 4 in a state before a vehicle fitting bracket 2 is fitted to a vehicle body. When a male steering shaft 6 is to escape from a female steering shaft 5, a come-out preventive member 7 is intruded into an inner peripheral annular groove 52 vicinal to an end portion of a female spline 51 on the front side with respect to the vehicle body. Then, the come-out preventive member 7 abuts on a shoulder portion 521 of the end portion, on the front side with respect to the vehicle body, of the inner peripheral annular groove 52, thereby surely enabling the male steering shaft 6 from escaping out of the female steering shaft 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuichi Sakuma
  • Patent number: 8955882
    Abstract: An inner column 2 is fitted in an outer column 1 in such a way as to be able to slide in the axial direction. The outer column 1 is mounted on a vehicle body 5 by a vehicle mount bracket 3. Fastening portions 65B, 65B of a right distance bracket 6B pass through through-holes 13, 14 respectively to be able to be in contact with the outer circumference 21 of the inner column and directly fasten the outer circumference of the inner column. Thus, there is provided a steering apparatus that is simple in structure without need to provide an additional mechanism for preventing rotation of an inner column and in which the magnitude of fastening force exerted on the inner column does not vary depending on the telescopic position of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Masajirou Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20150033901
    Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprising an inner tube operatively connectable with a steering wheel; a top bracket for mounting the steering column assembly; a column housing pivotally coupled with the top bracket and configured to telescopically receive the inner tube; a telescoping actuator device operatively attached to the column housing and the inner tube by one or more drive members; and an energy absorption device housed at least partially within or carried at least partially on the telescoping actuator device and fixed in place to the column housing; wherein the column housing remains generally fixed in place relative to the top bracket in an event of a secondary impact, and during the secondary impact, the inner tube telescopically translates into the column housing; and wherein, during the secondary impact, the energy absorption device undergoes plastic deformation to absorb energy from a load caused by the secondary impact
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Simon Read, Victor C. Martinez
  • Patent number: 8943923
    Abstract: In a steering system including a lock mechanism, at a time of locking, a first cam that is rotated together with a lock shaft generates a pressing force for pushing up an inner tube in an upward tilt direction. A second cam that is rotated together with the lock shaft presses an abutting portion of an urging member in a downward tilt direction. The abutting portion of the urging member applies a pressing reaction force in the upward tilt direction, to the second cam. The pressing reaction force serves as a force for pushing up the first cam in the upward tilt direction, through the second cam and the lock shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyuki Kakishita
  • Patent number: 8939468
    Abstract: A fixing device has at least one clamping device and at least one locking element which can be acted upon by the clamping device, and at least one counter locking element. In a closed position of the clamping device, the locking element and the counter locking element are arranged in an engagement position, and the fixing device has at least one elastic resetting element for resetting the locking element in an open position of the clamping device. The fixing device has at least one engagement element which, in the closed position of the clamping device, is in engagement by preferably plastic deformation of at least one surface of the locking element and/or of the counter locking element in a form-fitting manner with the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rony Schnitzer, Thomas Heitz
  • Publication number: 20150020639
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle, with a steering shaft comprising a rearward steering shaft segment that is rotatable about a longitudinal center axis and on which a steering wheel is mountable on a rearward end, and at least one further steering shaft segment connected with the rearward steering shaft segment via a universal joint. The universal joint comprises a rearward joint fork, a front joint fork and a universal joint cross connecting the rearward joint fork and the front joint fork. For damping vibrations transmitted via the steering shaft a damping element is provided which comprises an inner damper part having an outer circumferential contour deviating from the ideal circular form, an outer damper part encompassing the inner damper part having an inner circumferential contour deviating from the circular form, and an elastomeric damping material disposed between the inner damper part and the outer damper part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas Kornmayer, Karl-Mathias Hehle
  • Patent number: 8935968
    Abstract: A steering system includes an outer tube at an upper side and an inner tube at a lower side that slide relative to each other in an axial direction when shock is absorbed. A first sliding resistance reducing element, which comes into contact with an inner periphery of the outer tube, and reduces sliding resistance between both the tubes, is retained in at least a circumferential lower region of an axial upper end portion of the inner tube. A second sliding resistance reducing element, which comes into contact with an outer periphery of the inner tube, and reduces the sliding resistance between both the tubes, is retained in at least a circumferential upper region of an axial lower end portion of the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Tomonori Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8936274
    Abstract: A locking device for a steering column and method of installing the locking device are provided. The locking device includes a spring body configured for installation on a rotatable bolt and comprising a biasing portion. The spring body is rotatable in one direction through a first range and second range. A lock body includes a body portion configured for mounting on the rotatable bolt and a locking portion configured to move between a first position and a second position. The biasing portion of the spring body contacts the lock body and causes the lock body to rotate with the spring body through the first range. The spring body is rotatable relative to the lock body through the second range such that at least a portion of the biasing portion is elastically deflected when the spring body is rotated through the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin M. Burns, Melvin L. Tinnin, John Schulz, Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Publication number: 20150013493
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, with a support part for directly or indirectly mounting the steering column on a body of the motor vehicle and with at least one carriage displaceably mounted in a displacement direction on the support part, at least in the event of a crash, wherein a steering spindle of the steering column is rotatably mounted directly or indirectly on the carriage, wherein the carriage is clamped onto the support part by means of at least one clamping of the steering column, wherein the carriage is further braced on the support part by at least two contact points arranged on opposite sides of the clamping device and spaced away from the clamping device, wherein at least one free space between the carriage and the support part is arranged in regions between the clamping device and each of the contact points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rodrigo Back, Robert Galehr
  • Patent number: 8931363
    Abstract: A steering column is configured for positional adjustments in first and second directions and comprises a position lock for selectively resisting movement of the steering column. The position lock comprises a stationary bracket disposed about the steering column. A control shaft is coupled to the steering column, approximately perpendicular to the first and second directions, so as to couple movement of the steering column with translation of the control shaft. Movable lock plates are arranged on the control shaft for rotation about a central axis of the control shaft and for translation with the control shaft. Each of the movable lock-plates is positioned adjacent at least one stationary lock-plate that is retained in a substantially fixed position with respect to the stationary bracket. The one or more stationary lock-plates are configured so as to selectively provide resistance to relative movement of the one or more movable lock-plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Patent number: 8931804
    Abstract: In a steering device, when a telescopic position of a steering wheel is disposed at a vicinity of an adjustment end on a front side of a vehicle body, if a large force is applied erroneously to the steering wheel toward the front side of the vehicle body, rear ends of telescopic position adjusting long grooves are brought into contact with a fastening rod and push the fastening rod to the front side of the vehicle body. An engaging protrusion pushes an inner column to the front side of the vehicle body. A large force to the front side of the vehicle body, which is applied to the steering wheel is supported by the vehicle body via the inner column, and a force which is applied to a vehicle body attaching bracket can be reduced. This prevents the vehicle body attaching bracket from becoming detached from the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Kou Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8931805
    Abstract: A telescoping shaft having a roller assembly in a steering column is provided. The telescoping shaft includes an outer shaft having at least one projection or at least one groove, and an inner shaft telescopically received in the outer shaft, the inner shaft having the other of the at least one groove and the at least one projection, the at least one groove matingly engaging the at least one projection, each of the at least one grooves having a mounting section formed therein. A roller assembly is positioned in the mounting section of each of the at least one grooves and includes a spring having a first biasing section and a second biasing section, a first plurality of rollers positioned on the first biasing section and a second plurality of rollers positioned on the second biasing section, the at least one projection extending between the first plurality of rollers and the second plurality of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Melvin Lee Tinnin, Troy A. Daenzer
  • Patent number: 8931364
    Abstract: A steering device includes a fixed bracket, a movable bracket, a friction plate, a first friction washer, a pressing plate, engagement units, a second friction washer, and a fastening tool. The friction plate is attached to face, with an appropriate gap, at least one of both fixed side portions of the fixed bracket. The first washer is inserted between the fixed side portion and the friction plate. The pressing plate is attached to an outer surface of the friction plate. The engagement unit causes the pressing plate to be detachably attached and be immovable at least in a vertical direction. The second friction washer is clamped between the pressing plate and the friction plate. The fixed bracket, the friction plate, the first friction washer, the second friction washer, and the pressing plate are connected by penetrating therethrough a lock bolt of the fastening tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Yamada Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Hirooka, Suguru Sugishita
  • Publication number: 20150007682
    Abstract: A steering column arrangement (2) for a motor vehicle (1) and a motor vehicle is described. The arrangement (2) comprises a main bracket (3) which is to be attached to the motor vehicle (1), a steering column (4) with a steering shaft (5). The steering column (4) is rotatable in relation to the main bracket (3) between a driving position and a parking position. The arrangement also comprises a driving adjustment bracket (9) which is rotatable in relation to the main bracket (3) and in relation to the steering column (4). The arrangement comprises a driving adjustment locking system by means of which the steering column (4) is lockable in different positions in the driving position, and locking means with which the steering column (4) may be locked in the parking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: Fuji Autotech AB
    Inventors: Niklas Kjelleström, Thomas Paulsson, Ulf Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20150000456
    Abstract: A steering shaft bearing unit for rotatably mounting a steering shaft of a steering column for a motor vehicle includes at least one circumferentially closed region for accommodating at least one bearing for rotatably mounting the steering shaft, and at least one securing region for securing the steering shaft bearing unit to a console part of the steering column. At least one through-hole, in particular two through-holes, for guiding a clamping bolt of the steering column therethrough is/are arranged in the securing region. The securing region and the circumferentially closed region are designed as separate parts that are then preferably directly interconnected, preferably welded together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Rony Schnitzer