Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A locking device for a tilt steering wheel in which an intermediate shaft connected to a steering gear mechanism and a wheel shaft are linked together by means of a universal joint, and at said linked position, a first bracket for rotatably supporting said wheel shaft and a second bracket secured to a steering column are pivotally joined by a pair of pivot pins, said device comprising: an adjusting plate rotatably and slidably supported on said first bracket by one of said pivot pins; connection pin means for connecting said first and second brackets so as to prevent relative rotation therebetween; setting storage pin means for connecting said bracket and said adjusting plate so as to prevent rotation therebetween; an operating body means for releasing said setting storage pin means from said adjusting plate; springs for biasing said connection pin means toward a position in which said first and second brackets are connected; retaining means for restricting relative rotation between said adjusting plate and said first bracket; said retaining means adapted to retain said adjusting plate in a plurality of positions relative to said first bracket; and said connection pin means and said setting storage pin means being arranged for sequential axial registration in each of said relative positions and whereby said connection pin means are released from the force of said springs by axial motion of said operating body means in said positions in which said operating body means, said setting storage pin means and said connection pin means are in axial registration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
A locking device for a tilt steering wheel in which an intermediate shaft connected to a steering gear mechanism and a wheel shaft are linked together by means of a universal joint, and at said linked position, a first bracket for rotatably supporting said wheel shaft and a second bracket secured to a steering column are pivotally joined by a pair of pivot pins, said device comprising: an adjusting plate rotatably and slidably supported on said first bracket by one of said pivot pins; connection pin means for connecting said first and second brackets so as to prevent relative rotation therebetween; setting storage pin means for connecting said bracket and said adjusting plate so as to prevent rotation therebetween; an operating body means for releasing said setting storage pin means from said adjusting plate; springs for biasing said connection pin means toward a position in which said first and second brackets are connected; retaining means for restricting relative rotation between said adjusting plate and said first bracket; said retaining means adapted to retain said adjusting plate in a plurality of positions relative to said first bracket; and said connection pin means and said setting storage pin means being arranged for sequential axial registration in each of said relative positions and whereby said connection pin means are released from the force of said springs by axial motion of said operating body means in said positions in which said operating body means, said setting storage pin means and said connection pin means are in axial registration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A locking device according to claim 1, wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of conical depressions provided on one of said first bracket and said adjusting plate, ball means retained by the other of said first bracket and said adjusting plate, and spring means for sequentially urging said ball means into one of said depressions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
A locking device according to claim 1, wherein said operating body includes operating pin means slidably retained by hole defining means in said adjusting plate, and said operating means is movable between positions in which a portion of said setting storage pin means is received into said hole defining means and positions in which said setting storage pin means is completely expelled out of said hole defining means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A locking device according to claim 1 wherein said connection pin means comprises ends tapered towards said adjusting plate, and said first bracket defines pin holes tapered in correspondence to said tapered ends.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A locking device according to claim 1 wherein said connection pin means comprise a plurality of connection pins disposed on arcs of different radius about said pivot pin supporting said adjusting plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A locking device according to claim 5 wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of depressions spaced apart a given distance on an arc about said pivot pin by supporting said adjusting plate, and a plurality of balls spaced apart on said arc by a uniform distance 11/2 times said given distance.