| 摘要 |
1,264,171. Adjustable steering columns. EATON YALE & TOWNE Inc. 21 Feb., 1969 [5 April, 1968], No. 9606/69. Heading B7H. An extendible steering column comprises a tubular outer shaft member 32 adapted for coupling to a steering mechanism at one end and having a series of transverse openings 54; an inner tubular shaft member 30, telescopically received within the outer member 32, having a transverse opening 53 and adapted to receive a steering wheel 11; a locking member or ball 52 engageable with the opening 53 and a predetermined opening 54; a spring-biased cam 48 with a pocket 50 for receiving the locking member 52 to permit relative telescoping of the members 32 and 30 and with a cam surface 49 for urging the locking member 52 into engagement with the openings 53 and 54 to prevent relative telescoping; and actuating means 40 connected to the cam for overcoming the spring bias. The actuating means 40 comprises a rod slidable within the tubular shaft member 30 under the control of a button 56 at the middle of the steering wheel 11. Torque is transmitted from the shaft member 30 to the shaft member 32 by a key 44 on a transverse pin 41 of the member 30 engaging a longitudinal slot 45 of the member 32. Relative telescoping of the members 30, 32 is limited by the key 44 engaging the upper end of the slot 45 or by the member 30 abutting a transverse pin 55 of the member 32. The column assembly also includes a fixed tubular sheath 21 and a rotatable and axially slidable sheath 60 secured between the steering wheel 11 and shaft member 30. On excessive axial loading of the steering wheel the locking ball 52 is displaced downwards by the reaction forces between the ball and shaft openings to permit telescoping of the shaft members. The ball 52 may be made of a shearable material to absorb part of an impact force. |
