Adjustable steering column

Abstract

An adjustable steering column comprises a steering column shaft, a handlebar, and an adjustable clamp assembly securing the handlebar to the steering column shaft. The adjustable clamp assembly comprises a handlebar clamp to secure the handlebar to the adjustable clamp assembly. An extension is secured to the handlebar clamp and extends away from the handlebar clamp. The extension has first and second opposing sides. A first clamp surface is attached to the steering column. The first clamp surface is disposed on the first side of the extension. A second clamp surface is disposed on a second side of the vertical extension. The second clamp surface is moveable with respect to the first clamp surface from a first position where the extension is immovable to a second position where the extension is moveable.

1 . An adjustable steering column comprising: 
 a steering column shaft;    a handlebar; and    an adjustable clamp assembly coupling the handlebar to the steering column shaft, the adjustable clamp assembly comprising 
 a handlebar clamp operatively arranged to secure the handlebar to the adjustable clamp assembly,  
 an extension secured to the handlebar clamp and extending away from the handlebar clamp, the extension having first and second opposing sides,  
 a first clamp surface attached to the steering column, the first clamp surface disposed facing the first side of the extension,  
 a second clamp surface, the second clamp surface disposed facing the second side of the extension and configured to contact the extension second surface, the second clamp surface being moveable with respect to the first clamp surface from at least a first position where the extension is immovable with regards to the first and second clamp surfaces to a second position where the extension is moveable with regard to the first and second clamp surfaces;  
 an actuator operatively arranged to actuate movement of the second clamp surface with respect to the first clamp surface; and  
 a biasing member biasing the second clamp surface into contact with the second extension side.  
   
   
   
       2 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a shaft having a first end coupled to the second clamp surface, the shaft being disposed for movement relative to the extension, the second clamp surface being disposed for movement in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.  
   
   
       3 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a threaded shaft having a first end coupled to the second clamp, the threaded shaft being operatively arranged for rotational movement with respect to the second clamp surface, the second clamp surface being disposed for movement in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft.  
   
   
       4 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 3 , wherein the first clamp surface is disposed on a wall connected to the steering column shaft and a second end of the threaded shaft is disposed on an opposite side of the wall from the first clamp surface.  
   
   
       5 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 4 , wherein a manually adjustable handle is disposed on the threaded shaft second end.  
   
   
       6 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 1 , wherein the second clamp surface is configured to interlock with the extension second surface.  
   
   
       7 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 6 , wherein the extension second surface includes a series of vertically spaced apart detents.  
   
   
       8 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the detents are concave; and    the second clamp surface is convex so as to interlock with the concave detents.    
   
   
       9 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 8 , wherein the second clamp surface is a portion of an exterior surface of a cylinder.  
   
   
       10 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 1 , 
 wherein the first clamp surface is disposed on a wall, the wall comprising part of a peripheral wall of an enclosure, the enclosure comprising a recess therein; and    the extension is disposed within the recess.    
   
   
       11 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 10 , wherein the enclosure includes four walls disposed in a rectangular shape.  
   
   
       12 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 10 , wherein the second clamp surface is substantially disposed within the recess.  
   
   
       13 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 12 , wherein the second clamp is supported by the enclosure.  
   
   
       14 . The adjustable steering column of  claim 10 , wherein the enclosure includes a base configured for mating attachment with the steering column.  
   
   
       15 . A snowmobile comprising: 
 a chassis;    a track movably mounted on the chassis;    an engine supported on the chassis, the engine operatively arranged to drive the track;    at least one ski mounted at a forward portion of said chassis to provide steering control of the snowmobile;    the adjustable steering column of  claim 1 , wherein the steering column shaft is coupled to the at least one ski.    
   
   
       16 . A vehicle comprising: 
 a chassis;    a propulsion system movably mounted on the chassis;    an engine supported on the chassis, the engine operatively arranged to drive the propulsion system;    a steering system to provide steering control to the vehicle;    the adjustable steering column of  claim 1 , wherein the steering column shaft is coupled to the steering system.