IP Library Granted Patent US 12668296
Granted Patent B2
US 12668296 · App. 18/507,401 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Steering column anti-rotation assembly

Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard (Saginaw, MI); Michael P. Anspaugh (Bay City, MI); Matthew Jt Vincent (Saginaw, MI)
Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
B62D1/184B62D1/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12668296
App. No.
18/507,401
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An anti-rotation assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a handle portion extending from a first end to a second end, the first end having a handle and the second end having a housing segment. The anti-rotation assembly also includes a lock pin, wherein the lock pin extends from a first end to a second end, the first end disposed within the housing segment of the handle portion and the second end extending through a hole defined by a steering column to rotationally lock the steering column.

Claims (29)

1 . An anti-rotation assembly for a vehicle steering column comprising:

a handle portion extending from a first end to a second end, the first end having a handle and the second end having a housing segment; and

a lock pin, wherein the lock pin extends from a first end to a second end, the first end disposed within the housing segment of the handle portion and the second end extending through a hole defined by the vehicle steering column to rotationally lock the vehicle steering column,

wherein the first end of the lock pin includes a plurality of barbs, wherein at least one of the barbs is in contact with a plurality of retention features located within the housing segment of the handle portion to retain the lock pin within the housing segment,

wherein the plurality of retention features are axially staggered within the housing segment.

2 . The anti-rotation assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lock pin has a length that is less than a length of the handle portion.

3 . The anti-rotation assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lock pin has a length that is less than three-fourths (¾) of a length of the anti-rotation assembly.

4 . The anti-rotation assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lock pin has a length that is less than one-half (½) of a length of the anti-rotation assembly.

5 . The anti-rotation assembly of claim 1 , wherein the handle portion is formed of plastic and the lock pin is formed of metal.

6 . The anti-rotation assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the lock pin is tapered for insertion into the hole defined by the vehicle steering column.

7 . The anti-rotation assembly of claim 1 , wherein the handle extends perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal direction of the handle portion.

8 . An anti-rotation assembly for a vehicle steering column comprising:

a handle portion extending from a first end to a second end, the first end having a handle and the second end having a housing segment; and

a lock pin, wherein the lock pin extends from a first end to a second end, the first end disposed within the housing segment of the handle portion and the second end extending through a hole defined by the vehicle steering column to rotationally lock the vehicle steering column,

wherein the second end of the handle portion includes at least one resilient tab, the at least one resilient tab deflectable upon insertion through the hole defined by the vehicle steering column,

wherein the at least one resilient tab is tapered for insertion into the hole defined by the vehicle steering column.

9 . An anti-rotation assembly for a vehicle steering column comprising:

a handle portion extending from a first end to a second end, the first end having a handle and the second end having a housing segment; and

a lock pin, wherein the lock pin extends from a first end to a second end, the first end disposed within the housing segment of the handle portion and the second end extending through a hole defined by the vehicle steering column to rotationally lock the vehicle steering column, wherein the first end of the lock pin includes a plurality of barbs, wherein at least one of the barbs is in contact with a plurality of retention features located within the housing segment of the handle portion to retain the lock pin within the housing segment, wherein the lock pin has a length less than three-fourths (¾) of a length of the handle portion, wherein the plurality of retention features are axially staggered within the housing segment.

10 . An anti-rotation assembly for a vehicle steering column comprising:

a handle portion extending from a first end to a second end, the first end having a handle and the second end having a housing segment; and

a lock pin, wherein the lock pin extends from a first end to a second end, the first end disposed within the housing segment of the handle portion and the second end extending through a hole defined by the steering column to rotationally lock the vehicle steering column, wherein the first end of the lock pin includes a plurality of barbs, wherein at least one of the barbs is in contact with a plurality of retention features located within the housing segment of the handle portion to retain the lock pin within the housing segment, wherein the lock pin has a length less than three-fourths (¾) of a length of the handle portion,

wherein the second end of the handle portion includes at least one resilient tab, the at least one resilient tab deflectable upon insertion through the hole defined by the vehicle steering column,

wherein the at least one resilient tab is tapered for insertion into the hole defined by the vehicle steering column.

11 . The anti-rotation assembly of claim 10 , wherein the lock pin has a length that is less than a length of the handle portion.

12 . The anti-rotation assembly of claim 10 , wherein the handle portion is formed of plastic and the lock pin is formed of metal.

13 . The anti-rotation assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second end of the lock pin is tapered for insertion into the hole defined by the vehicle steering column.

14 . The anti-rotation assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second end of the handle portion includes at least one resilient tab, the at least one resilient tab deflectable upon insertion through the hole defined by the vehicle steering column.

15 . The anti-rotation assembly of claim 10 , wherein the handle extends perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal direction of the handle portion.