Lock lever on steering column

摘要

The invention provides a lever assembly for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly. The lever assembly includes a first lever portion pivotable about a locking axis between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of a steering column assembly and an unlocked position spaced from the locked position. The steering column assembly is moveable in adjusting movement when the first lever portion is in the unlocked position. The lever assembly also includes a second lever portion defining a handle portion and operable to rotate about the locking axis. The lever assembly also includes a lost motion linkage disposed between the first lever portion and the second lever portion. The lost motion linkage is operable to transmit rotation of the second lever portion about the locking axis to pivot the first lever portion between the locked position and the unlocked position. The lost motion linkage is also operable to yield in response to movement of the second lever portion in a direction parallel to the locking axis.

主权项

1. A lever assembly for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly, said lever assembly comprising:
a first lever portion pivotable about a locking axis between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of the steering column assembly and an unlocked position spaced from said locked position; a second lever portion defining a handle portion and rotatable about said locking axis; and a lost motion linkage disposed between said first lever portion and said second lever portion, including a plurality of interlocking arms formed respectively with said first and second lever portions and a pivot pin extending through said arms substantially perpendicular to said locking axis to pivotally connect said first and second lever portions with each other and about which said second lever portion rotates relative to said first lever portion, operable to transmit rotation of said second lever portion about said locking axis to pivot said first lever portion between said locked and unlocked positions and allow said second lever portion to move relative to said first lever portion in response to rotation of said second lever portion relative to said lost motion linkage and, thus, movement of said second lever portion in a direction substantially parallel to said locking axis, and breakable in response to said movement.