IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,836,790
Granted Patent B2
US 7,836,790 · App. 11/904,367 · Granted Nov 23, 2010

Tilt steering column assembly for a vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,836,790
App. No.
11/904,367
Granted
Nov 23, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tilt steering column assembly having a first housing defining at least one orifice disposed along a central axis and a second housing defining at least one hole disposed along the central axis is disclosed. A pin includes a body having a first end and a second end facing the first end to define a seam. A first tab extends outwardly from a segment of the first end and a second tab extends outwardly from a segment of the second end. The first tab abuts the second tab to define a portion of the seam with a remainder of the first and second ends being spaced from each other to define a gap and a remaining portion of the seam for providing a proper fit of the pin within the orifice and the hole by compensating for varying dimensions of at least one of the orifice and the hole.

Claims (18)

1. A tilt steering column assembly comprising:

a steering column having a first housing and a tilt housing;

said first housing defining at least one orifice disposed along a central axis,

said tilt housing defining at least one hole disposed along said central axis,

a steering column pivot pin including a body having a first end and a second end facing said first end to define a seam substantially parallel to said central axis with said body defining a bore along said central axis, and said body having a first portion disposed in said orifice and a second portion extending from said first portion and disposed in said hole for rotatably coupling said first housing to said tilt housing;

a first tab extending outwardly from a segment of said first end and a second tab extending outwardly from a segment of said second end with said first tab abutting said second tab to define a portion of said seam, with a remainder of said first end and a remainder of said second end being spaced from each other to define a gap and a remaining portion of said seam such that said steering column pivot pin is fitted within said orifice and said hole to compensate for varying dimensions of at least one of said orifice and said hole;

said remainder of said first end defining a first arcuate portion that extends radially inwardly toward said central axis relative to the first tab and has a first top edge proximate to said gap that is about radially equidistant from said central axis along an entire length of said first arcuate portion, said first arcuate portion being at least partially disposed in said hole of said tilt housing; and

said remainder of said second end defining a second arcuate portion that extends radially inwardly toward said central axis relative to the second tab and has a second top edge proximate to said gap that is about radially equidistant from said central axis along an entire length of said second arcuate portion, said second arcuate portion being at least partially disposed in said hole of said tilt housing.

2. The steering column assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first arcuate portion biases said body to compensate for varying dimensions of said hole and wherein said second arcuate portion biases said body to compensate for varying dimensions of said hole.

3. The steering column assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first arcuate portion defines a first inclined surface adjacent said first end for preventing damage to said tilt housing and said second arcuate portion defines a second inclined surface adjacent said second end for preventing damage to at said tilt housing.

4. The steering column assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first arcuate portion extends inwardly toward said central axis for preventing said first end from damaging said tilt housing and wherein said second arcuate portion extends inwardly toward said central axis for preventing said second end from damaging said tilt housing.

5. The steering column assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said body defines a first slit disposed at an intersection of said first tab and said remainder of said first end to further define said first arcuate portion for aiding said first arcuate portion in biasing to compensate for varying dimensions of at least one of said orifice and said hole.

6. The steering column assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said body defines a second slit opposing said first slit and disposed at an intersection of said second tab and said remainder of said second end to further define said second arcuate portion for aiding said second arcuate portion in biasing to compensate for varying dimensions of at least one of said orifice and said hole.

7. The steering column assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second tabs along said portion of said seam define a length equal to said first portion.

8. The steering column assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said remainder of said first and second ends along said remaining portion of said seam defines a length equal to said second portion.

9. The steering column assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first portion is disposed in said orifice and said second portion is disposed in said hole with said tilt housing rotatable about said central axis.

10. The steering column assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first portion defines a continuous body extending circumferentially between said first and second ends.

11. The steering column assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said second portion defines a continuous body extending circumferentially between said first and second ends.