Patent US2692961A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3799569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tilt and telescoping steering system
Assignee: Case LLC
•
Filing: 1972-06-21
•
Granted: 1974-03-26
•
Expires: 1992-06-21
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to a steering system for a vehicle in which a steering column can be telescoped relative to the vehicle as well as tilted with respect to a fixed axis. The steering system includes a steering column consisting of inner and outer telescoping members that have locking means consisting of first and second keyways defined on adjacent surfaces of the respective members with the keyways defining openings that receive elongated keys. An elastomeric element is located at one end of each of the openings and retained therein by a retaining ring. The locking means also includes drive means for moving the key axially within the openings defined by keyways to deform the elastomeric elements and frictionally grip the members to hold them in telescopically adjusted position.
Inventors
- 👤 C Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:13
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/184; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32467; Y10T403/32475; Y10T403/32501
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
In a vehicle having a steering system including a control pump fixed to the vehicle; a steering column having first and second telescoping members; connection means connecting a free eNd of one of said telescoping members to said pump; a steering wheel connected to a free end of the other of said telescoping members; and locking means for maintaining said members in telescopically adjusted positions, said locking means including means defining first and second keyways in each of said members, said keyways cooperating to produce first and second elongated openings; first and second elongated keys respectively slidable in said openings; means defining an abutment adjacent one end of said openings with adjacent ends of said keys spaced from said abutment; resilient means in said openings between said keys and abutment; and drive means cooperating with the opposite ends of said keys for moving said keys in said openings and compressing said resilient means thereby producing a frictional grip on adjacent surfaces of said members to hold said members in telescopically adjusted positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a vehicle having a steering system including a control pump fixed to the vehicle; a steering column having first and second telescoping members; connection means connecting a free eNd of one of said telescoping members to said pump; a steering wheel connected to a free end of the other of said telescoping members; and locking means for maintaining said members in telescopically adjusted positions, said locking means including means defining first and second keyways in each of said members, said keyways cooperating to produce first and second elongated openings; first and second elongated keys respectively slidable in said openings; means defining an abutment adjacent one end of said openings with adjacent ends of said keys spaced from said abutment; resilient means in said openings between said keys and abutment; and drive means cooperating with the opposite ends of said keys for moving said keys in said openings and compressing said resilient means thereby producing a frictional grip on adjacent surfaces of said members to hold said members in telescopically adjusted positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 1, further including cooperating means between said telescoping members preventing separation of said telescoping members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 1, in which said drive means includes a nut having portions extending into the keyways of said other telescoping member adjacent its free end; and means carried by said free end of said other telescoping member for shifting said nut relative to said other telescoping member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 3, in which said means carried by said free end of said other telescoping member includes a plug secured to said telescoping member with an opening extending through said plug, said opening in said plug having an enlarged portion adjacent said nut to define a shoulder; a rotatable element in said opening, said rotatable element having an enlarged portion in said enlarged portion of said opening and engaging said shoulder, said rotatable element having a threaded segment received into a threaded opening in said nut; and a gripping member fixed to the opposite end of said rotatable element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 1, further including a support for said steering column; means for pivoting said support about a horizontal pivot on said vehicle to position said steering wheel in a plurality of adjusted positions relative to said vehicle; and latch means between said vehicle and said support for maintaining said support in adjusted positions on said vehicle; and in which said connecting means includes a universal connection accommodating said pivotal movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 5, further including resilient means between said support and said steering column for isolating said steering column from said support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 5, further including biasing means between said support and vehicle, said biasing means moving said support and steering column into an extreme pivoted position when said latch means is released and no external force is applied to said support and steering column.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 5, in which said latch means includes a quadrant having a plurality of spaced notches on said support; a pivoted latch having a latch pin for engaging said notches; and biasing means cooperating with said latch and pivoting said latch pin into engagement with said quadrant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 8, in which said latch means further includes a foot pedal pivoted on said vehicle and means connecting said foot pedal to said pivoted latch to allow said foot pedal to be actuated to pivot said latch pin away from said quadrant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 6, in which said means for pivoting said support includes a pair of transversely spaced brackets with inwardly directed pins defining said horizontal pivot and in which said support has circular recesses for receiving said pins with said support located between said bracket, further including resilient plugs in said recesses and engaging the inner ends of said pins for maintaining support centered between said brackets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
An adjustable steering system cOmprising inner and outer telescoping members; means defining elongated keyways respectively on adjacent surfaces of said members, said elongated keyways being in opposed relation and cooperating to define an elongated opening; means defining an abutment on one end of said opening; a key in said opening and slidable therein; an elastomeric element between said abutment and the adjacent end of said key; and drive means cooperating with one of said members and engaging the opposite end of said key to move said key along said opening and compress said elastomeric element to produce frictional engagement of said element with said adjacent surfaces of said members and maintain said members in a telescopically adjusted position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
118 words
An adjustable steering system cOmprising inner and outer telescoping members; means defining elongated keyways respectively on adjacent surfaces of said members, said elongated keyways being in opposed relation and cooperating to define an elongated opening; means defining an abutment on one end of said opening; a key in said opening and slidable therein; an elastomeric element between said abutment and the adjacent end of said key; and drive means cooperating with one of said members and engaging the opposite end of said key to move said key along said opening and compress said elastomeric element to produce frictional engagement of said element with said adjacent surfaces of said members and maintain said members in a telescopically adjusted position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An adjustable steering system as defined in claim 11, in which said telescoping members are circular and said key prevents relative rotation between said members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
An adjustable steering system as defined in claim 11, in which said outer member has a bore slidably receiving said inner member and in which said drive means includes a nut in said bore, and said nut having a portion in the keyway of said outer member and means carried by said outer member and cooperating with said nut for axially shifting said nut in said bore.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
114 words
In an adjustable steering system including inner and outer circular telescoping members, and locking means for maintaining said members in telescopingly adjusted positions, said locking means comprising means defining first and second keyways in the adjacent surfaces of said members, said keyways cooperating to define first and second elongated opposed openings at circumferentially spaced locations on said members; an elastomeric element in each of said openings; means for retaining said elastomeric elements in said openings; a key slidably received in each opening and having one end engaging the elastomeric element; and drive means cooperating with said keys for axially moving said keys in said openings and compressing said elements to frictionally grip said members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
114 words
In an adjustable steering system including inner and outer circular telescoping members, and locking means for maintaining said members in telescopingly adjusted positions, said locking means comprising means defining first and second keyways in the adjacent surfaces of said members, said keyways cooperating to define first and second elongated opposed openings at circumferentially spaced locations on said members; an elastomeric element in each of said openings; means for retaining said elastomeric elements in said openings; a key slidably received in each opening and having one end engaging the elastomeric element; and drive means cooperating with said keys for axially moving said keys in said openings and compressing said elements to frictionally grip said members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
An adjustable steering system as defined in claim 14, further including a support having a circular opening for receiving said telescoping members; and resilient means between said support and telescoping members maintaining said telescoping members centered in said opening of said support.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
An adjustable steering system as defined in claim 15, further including a pair of brackets having means defining a horizontal pivot with said support pivoted on said horizontal pivot to accommodate tilting of said telescoping members; and means between said brackets and said support for maintaining said support in a plurality of tilted positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1703485A
Cited
US2229394A
Cited
US2769351A
Cited
US2792719A
Cited
US2910887A
Cited
US3262332A
Cited
US3316774A
Cited
US3700257A
Cited
US3718053A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |