GB1129679A - Adjustable steering column employing memory unit - Google Patents

Abstract

1,129,679. Adjustable steering columns. BORG-WARNER CORP. 10 Oct., 1966 [26 Nov., 1965], No. 45117/66. Heading B7H. In a motor vehicle steering column assembly comprising an upper column section tiltable with respect to a lower column section, locking means for positioning the upper column section in a plurality of positions is associated with a preselector device for ensuring that the upper section locks only in a preselected position. A fixed lower column 12 housing a lower steering shaft 14 carries a V-bracket 38 on which an upper. column 18 supporting an upper steering shaft 16 is tiltably mounted by pivot pins 66, 68 aligned with a universal joint 24 coupling the shafts 14, 16. A pawl 100 secured to a spindle 102 rotatably mounted in the upper column 18 is urged by a spring into engagement with a toothed extremity 60 of the V-bracket 38 to position the upper column 18 in a plurality of angular positions. The pawl 100 is disengaged from the teeth to permit adjustment of the upper column 18 by pivoting a control lever 94 which engages an actuating arm 104 on the spindle 102. To facilitate return of the upper column 18 to a previously selected position after adjustment to suit another driver or to assist entry or exit from the vehicle, a blocking pawl 116 attached to the pawl 100 co-operates with an indexing plate 122 to prevent the pawl 100 from engaging the toothed portion 60 other than in the preselected position. Each of a series of indexing slots in the periphery of the indexing plate engages with a tooth 120 on the blocking pawl 116 to permit positioning of the upper column only in one position. The desired position is preselected by a selector knob 126 which is first displaced axially against spring-loading to disengage the indexing plate 122 from the blocking pawl 116 and from a fixed pin 63 engaging a series of indexing holes in the plate, and is then rotated to position the plate in the desired position as indicated by an indexing drum 134 which is connected to rotate with the knob 126 by spring- loaded pins 138 and displays through an aperture in a housing 150 a series of numbers indicating the position of the indexing plate 122. A second series of slots associated with the indexing slots in the plate 122 provide for lock. ing the upper column portion 18 in an extreme raised position whatever the preselected position, and unrestricted adjustment is obtainable by positioning the indexing plate 122 so that none of the indexing holes therein engage the pin 63.