Mounting bracket for a steering column control stalk

Claim 2

An improved mounting bracket for a vehicle steering column mounted control stalk, the steering column including an outwardly-extending boss having a key formed thereon, comprising: a generally flat base portion defining an aperture having a first inner diameter and adapted to receive said steering column boss; an intermediate portion extending from a flat surface of said base portion, said intermediate portion defining a first passageway having a second inner diameter at least equal to said first inner diameter of said aperture of said base portion; a first slot formed in said base and intermediate portions adapted to receive said steering column key and extending axially co-extensively with said aperture and said first passageway; a second slot formed in said base and said intermediate portions opposite said first slot, said second slot being smaller in size than said first slot; an end portion extending from an end of said intermediate portion opposite said base portion, said end portion defining a second passageway having an inner diameter smaller than said second inner diameter of said intermediate portion, said end portion further including means for releasably engaging said steering column mounted control stalk; and means for securing said base portion to said steering column.

Claim 3

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said intermediate portion has an outer surface and further including a tapered portion formed in said outer surface of said intermediate portion near said second slot.

Claim 4

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said means for releasably engaging the steering column mounted control stalk includes a plurality of annular inclined surfaces having a ramp-like configuration formed on an exterior surface of said end portion.

Claim 5

The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said end portion further includes a key formed on said exterior surface thereof. .Iadd.5. An improved mounting bracket for a vehicle steering column mounted control stalk, the steering column including an outwardly-extending boss having a key formed thereon, comprising: a base portion defining an aperture adapted to receive said steering column boss; a hollow intermediate portion extending from said base portion, said intermediate portion defining a first passageway extending from said aperture of said base portion and adapted to receive said steering column boss; key receiving means formed in said base and intermediate portions adapted to receive said steering column key; a hollow end portion extending from an end of said intermediate portion opposite said base portion, said end portion defining a second passageway extending from said first passageway, said end portion further including means for engaging said steering column mounted control stalk; and means for securing said base portion to said steering column. .Iaddend.

Claim 6

.Iadd.6. The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said intermediate portion includes an outer surface having a tapered portion formed therein opposite said key receiving means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said means for engaging the steering column mounted control stalk includes a plurality of annular inclined surfaces having a ramp-like configuration formed on an exterior surface of said hollow end portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said end portion further includes a key formed on said exterior surface thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said key receiving means is a slot. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. An improved mounting bracket for a vehicle steering column mounted control stalk, the steering column including an outwardly-extending boss having a key formed thereon, comprising: a generally flat base portion defining an aperture having an inner diameter, said first aperture being adapted to receive said steering column boss; a hollow intermediate portion extending from said base portion, said intermediate portion defining a first passageway having an inner diameter which is at least equal to said inner diameter of said aperture; a first slot formed in said base and intermediate portions adapted to receive said steering column key, said first slot extending axially with said aperture and said first passageway; a hollow end portion extending from an end of said intermediate portion opposite said base portion, said end portion defining a second passageway having an inner diameter which is smaller than said inner diameter of said first passageway, said end portion further including means for engaging said steering column mounted control stalk; and means for securing said base portion to said steering column. .Iaddend.

Claim 7

.Iadd.11. The invention defined in claim 10 wherein said intermediate portion has an outer surface having a tapered portion formed therein opposite said first slot. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. The invention defined in claim 10 wherein said means for engaging the steering column mounted control stalk includes a plurality of annular inclined surfaces having a ramp-like configuration formed on an exterior surface of said end portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The invention defined in claim 12 wherein said end portion further includes a key formed on said exterior surface thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The invention defined in claim 12 further including a second slot formed in said base and intermediate portions opposite said first slot. .Iaddend.