Clamping device for a steering column

摘要

A clamping device (10) for a steering column comprising a pair of brackets (12,14), one of which is positioned inside the other, each bracket having a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel walls (16-22), the walls of the inner bracket lying alongside the walls of the outer bracket, the walls having aligned apertures (24-30); a bolt (32) extending through the apertures and rotatable about its longitudinal axis (A); a tubular sleeve (40) surrounding the bolt between the walls of the inner bracket and having a surface (68,70) at each end engaging the walls of the inner bracket; a nut (36) threadably attached to the bolt at one end (34) and having a surface (66) engaging one of the walls of the outer bracket, the nut being fixed relative to the longitudinal axis; an annular spacer (42) positioned around the bolt and having a surface (72) engaging the other wall of the outer bracket, the spacer being fixed relative to the longitudinal axis; and a lever (48) secured to the bolt adjacent the spacer and pivotable about the longitudinal axis; wherein the surfaces on the nut and the spacer which engage the walls of the outer bracket are substantially convex; and wherein the surfaces on the sleeve which engage the walls of the inner bracket are substantially concave. Increased holding force without increase of operator force on lever.