ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

摘要

A tilt or rake adjustable steering column (10) having a first or tilt lever locking mechanism (18) and a second locking mechanism (29) separate from the first locking mechanism. The second locking mechanism has a pivotable eccentric cam or locking wedge (30) that engages a fixed member (16) to hold the adjustable steering column in the event the first locking mechanisms fails. The tilt lever locking mechanism (18) is linked by a spring (26) to the second locking mechanism so that movement of the tilt lever locking mechanism (18) from a locked position to an unlocked position moves the pivotable eccentric cam (30) from an engaged position to a non-engaged position.