| 摘要 |
<p>The column is provided having a stationary mast jacket, a tilt-housing supported on the stationary mast jacket for up and down pivotal movement, a steering wheel rotatably supported on the tilt-housing, a friction clamp for infinite tilt adjustment. A wedge lock is provided to prevent upward pivotal movement of the tilt-housing in the event the friction clamp is overpowered. The wedge lock includes an arc-shaped land on the tilt-housing, a locking ring having an eccentric outer edge rotatably supported on the stationary mast jacket concentric with the arc-shaped land, and a torsion spring biasing the locking ring toward engagement of the eccentric outer edge thereof on the arc-shaped land. If the friction clamp is overpowered, the arc-shaped land effects rotation of the locking ring to a wedged position against the land at the onset of pivotal movement of the tilt-housing in which further pivotal movement of the tilt-housing is foreclosed. The operating lever forcibly rotates the locking ring in a direction separating its eccentric outer edge from the arc-shaped land when the friction clamp is open and releases the locking ring when the friction clamp is closed.</p> |
