US4516440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking mechanism for a telescopic steering wheel
Assignee: Aisin Corp
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Filing: 1982-11-15
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Granted: 1985-05-14
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Expires: 2002-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A locking mechanism for a telescopic steering wheel which includes a housing, an outer cylinder rotatably supported within the housing, a locking member slidably mounted within the outer cylinder, a steering shaft movably mounted within the outer cylinder, engaged with the locking member and operatively connected to the steering wheel, a locking rod rotatably mounted in the steering shaft and engaged with the locking member for attaining a locked or unlocked position of the locking member, a telescopic lever connected to the locking rod and movable between the locked and unlocked position and a mechanism for continuously urging the telescopic lever into the locked position.
Inventors
- 👤 Masumi Nishikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:53
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; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7047; Y10T403/7051; Y10T403/7052; Y10T403/7056; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636; Y10T74/2066; Y10T74/20672
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A locking mechanism for a telescopic steering wheel comprising: a housing; an outer cylinder rotatably supported within said housing; a locking member slidably mounted within said outer cylinder; a steering shaft movably mounted within said outer cylinder, engaged with said locking member and operatively connected to said steering wheel; a locking rod rotatably mounted in said steering shaft and engaged with said locking member for attaining a locked or unlocked position of said locking member; a telescopic lever connected to said locking rod and movable between said locked and unlocked position; spring means for continuously urging said telescopic lever into said locked position; and recessed means formed on a main body portion of said steering wheel for engaging said telescopic lever thereon in said unlocked position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A locking mechanism for a telescopic steering wheel comprising: a housing; an outer cylinder rotatably supported within said housing; a locking member slidably mounted within said outer cylinder; a steering shaft movably mounted within said outer cylinder, engaged with said locking member and operatively connected to said steering wheel; a locking rod rotatably mounted in said steering shaft and engaged with said locking member for attaining a locked or unlocked position of said locking member; a telescopic lever connected to said locking rod and movable between said locked and unlocked position; spring means for continuously urging said telescopic lever into said locked position; and recessed means formed on a main body portion of said steering wheel for engaging said telescopic lever thereon in said unlocked position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A locking mechanism for a telescopic steering wheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main body portion has a portion extending along said telescopic lever and said recessed portion is formed on said extended portion of said main body portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
151 words
A locking mechanism for a telescopic steering wheel comprising: a housing; an outer cylinder rotatably supported within said housing; a locking member slidably mounted within said outer cylinder; a steering shaft movably mounted within said outer cylinder, engaged with said locking member and operatively connected to said steering wheel; a locking rod rotatably mounted in said steering shaft and engaged with said locking member for attaining a locked or unlocked position of said locking member; a telescopic lever connected to said locking rod and movable between said locked and unlocked position; means for continuously urging said telescopic lever into said locked position; and means formed on a main body portion of said steering wheel for engaging said telescopic lever thereon in said unlocked position wherein said means for engaging said telescopic lever further comprises a tapered portion of said main body which is inclined in the direction of the locked position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
151 words
A locking mechanism for a telescopic steering wheel comprising: a housing; an outer cylinder rotatably supported within said housing; a locking member slidably mounted within said outer cylinder; a steering shaft movably mounted within said outer cylinder, engaged with said locking member and operatively connected to said steering wheel; a locking rod rotatably mounted in said steering shaft and engaged with said locking member for attaining a locked or unlocked position of said locking member; a telescopic lever connected to said locking rod and movable between said locked and unlocked position; means for continuously urging said telescopic lever into said locked position; and means formed on a main body portion of said steering wheel for engaging said telescopic lever thereon in said unlocked position wherein said means for engaging said telescopic lever further comprises a tapered portion of said main body which is inclined in the direction of the locked position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A locking member for a telescopic steering wheel as set forth in claim 1 further comprising spring means fixed on said telescopic lever so as to bias said telescopic lever in a direction of engagement with a main body portion of said steering wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locking member for a telescopic steering wheel as set forth in claim 4, wherein said spring means further comprises a plate spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR632089A
Cited
GB540771A
Cited
US2792719A
Cited
US3803939A
Cited
JPS55156766A
Cited
US4402236A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-05-13 | 1988-11-12 | 1989-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-13 | 1992-11-12 | 1993-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-13 | 1996-11-12 | 1997-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |