Lock lever on steering column

Abstract

The invention provides a lever assembly for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly. The lever assembly includes a first lever portion pivotable about a locking axis between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of a steering column assembly and an unlocked position spaced from the locked position. The steering column assembly is moveable in adjusting movement when the first lever portion is in the unlocked position. The lever assembly also includes a second lever portion defining a handle portion and operable to rotate about the locking axis. The lever assembly also includes a lost motion linkage disposed between the first lever portion and the second lever portion. The lost motion linkage is operable to transmit rotation of the second lever portion about the locking axis to pivot the first lever portion between the locked position and the unlocked position. The lost motion linkage is also operable to yield in response to movement of the second lever portion in a direction parallel to the locking axis.

1 . A lever assembly for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly comprising: 
 a first lever portion pivotable about a locking axis between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of a steering column assembly and an unlocked position spaced from said locked position;    a second lever portion defining a handle portion and operable to rotate about said locking axis; and    a lost motion linkage disposed between said first lever portion and said second lever portion and operable to transmit rotation of said second lever portion about said locking axis to pivot said first lever portion between said locked position and said unlocked position and operable to yield in response to movement of said second lever portion in a direction parallel to said locking axis.    
   
   
       2 . The lever assembly of  claim 1  said lost motion linkage is further defined as being breakable in response to movement of said second lever portion in a direction parallel to said locking axis.  
   
   
       3 . The lever assembly of  claim 2  said lost motion linkage is further defined as including a mechanical fuse.  
   
   
       4 . The lever assembly of  claim 3  wherein said mechanical fuse is further defined as a shear pin.  
   
   
       5 . The lever assembly of  claim 3  wherein said mechanical fuse is further defined as being integrally formed with one of said first lever portion and said second lever portion.  
   
   
       6 . The lever assembly of  claim 3  wherein said mechanical fuse is further defined as having a height extending in a direction transverse to said locking axis and having a width extending in a direction parallel to said locking axis wherein said height is greater than said width.  
   
   
       7 . The lever assembly of  claim 6  wherein said height is twice said width.  
   
   
       8 . The lever assembly of  claim 1  said lost motion linkage is further defined as being resiliently deformable in response to movement of said second lever portion in a direction parallel to said locking axis.  
   
   
       9 . The lever assembly of  claim 8  wherein said second lever portion is further defined as being pivotable relative to said first lever portion about a pivot axis between a first position and second position in response to a predetermined level of force acting at least partially parallel to said locking axis.  
   
   
       10 . The lever assembly of  claim 9  wherein said lost motion linkage further comprises: 
 a locking pin spaced from said pivot axis and integrally formed with respect to one of said first lever portion and said second lever portion;    first and second opposing jaws integrally formed with respect to the other of said first lever portion and said second lever portion and receiving said locking pin wherein said locking pin is operable to separate said first and second opposing jaws in response to movement of said second lever portion.    
   
   
       11 . The lever assembly of  claim 9  wherein said lost motion linkage is operable to urge said second lever portion to one of said first position and said second position.  
   
   
       12 . The lever assembly of  claim 11  wherein said lost motion linkage is further defined as being operable to yield in response to movement of said second lever portion in first and second opposite directions parallel to said locking axis.  
   
   
       13 . The lever assembly of  claim 11  wherein said lost motion linkage includes a leaf spring.  
   
   
       14 . The lever assembly of  claim 11  wherein said lost motion linkage includes a coil spring extending between a first end and a second end.  
   
   
       15 . The lever assembly of  claim 14  wherein said lost motion linkage further comprises: 
 a first anchor pin connected to said first lever portion and supporting said first end of said coil spring;    a second anchor pin connected to said second lever portion and supporting said second end of said coil spring; and    a pivot pin disposed between said first and second anchor pins and defining said pivot axis.    
   
   
       16 . The lever assembly of  claim 1  wherein said lost motion linkage is further defined as engaging one of said first lever portion and said second lever portion in a snap-fit connection.  
   
   
       17 . The lever assembly of  claim 16  wherein said lost motion linkage is further defined as being integrally formed with the other one of said first lever portion and said second lever portion.