Tilting mechanism

1. A tilting arrangement for a vehicle steering wheel unit, the tilting arrangement comprising:

a mount to mount the tilting arrangement on the vehicle, and

a support element, the steering wheel unit being pivotally connected to the support element to effect a tilting pivotal movement, about a pivot axis, the support element being movable relative to the mount so as to move the pivot axis with a movement which has a substantial upward component;

wherein the pivotal connection between the support element and the steering wheel unit is towards a rear of the steering wheel unit, there being a further member pivotally connected to the steering wheel unit towards a front of the steering wheel unit so that, as the pivotal connection between the support element and the steering wheel unit directs said movement to include a substantial upward component, the steering wheel tilts forwardly; and

wherein the support element is a support plate and further wherein when the pivotal connection between the steering wheel unit and the support plate has directed said upward movement and the steering wheel has tilted, a rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point, is not substantially lower than the rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point before said movement commenced.

2. A tilting arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the said further element is an element of selectively adjustable length, to enable the degree of tilt of the steering wheel to be selected by a vehicle driver.

3. A tilting arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the element of selectively adjustable length is a lockable gas spring.

4. A tilting arrangement according to claim 3 wherein the lockable gas spring is adapted to adopt a condition of minimal length upon receipt of a signal from a sensor.

5. A tilting arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the support element comprises a pivotally mounted support arm, the support arm being pivotally mounted to a support plate at its lower end and being pivotally connected to the steering wheel unit at its upper end, movement of the arm causing the axis of the pivotal connection between the arm and the steering wheel unit to follow an arcuate path.

6. A tilting arrangement according to claim 5 further comprising a retaining member to retain the arm in an initial position, and to release the arm in an accident situation.

7. A tilting arrangement according to claim 6 wherein the said retaining member is a frangible pin.

8. A tilting arrangement according to claim 6 wherein the retaining member comprises a retractable pin, retractable in response to a signal from a sensor.

9. A tilting arrangement according to claim 5 wherein a drive unit is provided to drive said support arm to effect said pivotal movement.

10. A tilting arrangement according to claim 9 wherein the drive unit is a pyrotechnic unit.

11. A tilting arrangement according to claim 5 wherein the support plate is mounted to effect a sliding movement relative to the mount, an energy-absorber being provided to absorb energy as the support plate effects the sliding movement relative to the mount.

12. A tilting arrangement according to claim 11 wherein the energy-absorbing unit is a lockable energy-absorbing unit, the lockable energy-absorbing unit being configured to be unlocked in response to a signal from a sensor.

13. A tilting arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the support element is a support plate, the steering wheel unit being pivotally connected to the plate, the said further member being pivotally connected to the support plate and being pivotally connected to the steering wheel unit.

14. A tilting arrangement according to claim 13 wherein the support plate is slidably mounted relative to the mount, and an energy-absorber is provided connected to the support plate and to the mount to absorb energy as the support plate moves relative to the mount.

15. A tilting arrangement according to claim 13 wherein the mount is provided with a hinge to engage part of a chassis of a motor vehicle and is provided with an energy-absorber to absorb energy if the mount executes a hinging movement about the hinge.

16. A tilting arrangement according to claim 15 wherein the energy-absorber is a lockable energy-absorber a lock of the lockable energy-absorber being releasable in response to a signal from a sensor.

17. A tilting arrangement for a vehicle steering wheel unit, the tilting arrangement comprising:

a mount to mount the tilting arrangement on the vehicle, and

a support element, the steering wheel unit being pivotally connected to the support element to effect a tilting pivotal movement, about a pivot axis, the support element being movable relative to the mount so as to move the pivot axis with a movement which has a substantial upward component;

wherein the pivotal connection between the support element and the steering wheel unit is towards a rear of the steering wheel unit, there being a further member pivotally connected to the steering wheel unit towards a front of the steering wheel unit so that, as the pivotal connection between the support element and the steering wheel unit directs said movement to include a substantial upward component, the steering wheel tilts forwardly;

wherein the support element is a support plate and further wherein when the pivotal connection between the steering wheel unit and the support plate has directed said upward movement and the steering wheel has tilted, a rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point, is not substantially lower than the rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point before said movement commenced; and

wherein the support element comprises a pivotally mounted support arm, the support arm being pivotally mounted to a support plate at its lower end and being pivotally connected to the steering wheel unit at its upper end, movement of the arm causing the axis of the pivotal connection between the arm and the steering wheel unit to follow an arcuate path.