Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
Vehicle steering apparatus including a steering column comprising a lower part, which is adapted to be mounted in a manner which permits pivotal movement of the steering column about an axis extending laterally of the longitudinal axis of said steering column, an upper part which has a sliding connection with the lower part and includes relatively rotatable members of which one can be clamped in position without affecting the steering action of the column, and means for clamping the said one member, characterised in that the means for clamping comprises a fixture (9) extending substantially laterally of the steering column (1), a slider (13) which is capable of movement along the fixture (9), is connected to the said one member (2A) and carries a pressure pad (20) disposed to bear against the said one member, an operating device (8) which operates a clamp (14,15) to fix the slider (13) relative to the fixture, a spring strip (24) which is located on the slider and provides force for the pressure pad, the spring strip being stressed by engagement with part (15) of the said clamp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
Vehicle steering apparatus including a steering column comprising a lower part, which is adapted to be mounted in a manner which permits pivotal movement of the steering column about an axis extending laterally of the longitudinal axis of said steering column, an upper part which has a sliding connection with the lower part and includes relatively rotatable members of which one can be clamped in position without affecting the steering action of the column, and means for clamping the said one member, characterised in that the means for clamping comprises a fixture (9) extending substantially laterally of the steering column (1), a slider (13) which is capable of movement along the fixture (9), is connected to the said one member (2A) and carries a pressure pad (20) disposed to bear against the said one member, an operating device (8) which operates a clamp (14,15) to fix the slider (13) relative to the fixture, a spring strip (24) which is located on the slider and provides force for the pressure pad, the spring strip being stressed by engagement with part (15) of the said clamp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
Vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1 in which guide means (16,17) are provided for constraining movement of said slider (13) relative to said fixture (9) to movement back and forth in said one direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which said clamp includes a block (15) which is movable towards said fixture (9) so as to trap the slider (13) between the block and the fixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Vehicle steering apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the slider has an aperture (18) in which the steering column's upper part (2) is accommodated for longitudinal sliding movement relative to said slider.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 4 in which the pressure pad (20) is loosely mounted in said slider and is arranged to trap the said one member (2A) of the steering column in said aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
Vehicle steering apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the strip (24) has a bend located intermediate its ends, and in which the bend is engaged by the clamp's part (15) such that the strip is straightened and increases the force exerted by the pad (20).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Vehicle steering apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which means are provided for adjusting the position of said strip relative to said slider.