US20070157756A1

US20070157756A1 - Lock lever on steering column

Info

Publication number: US20070157756A1
Application number: US11/328,372
Authority: US
Inventors: William Cymbal; Michael Anspaugh; Damir Menjak; Olivier Pugliese
Original assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2006-01-09
Filing date: 2006-01-09
Publication date: 2007-07-12
Also published as: DE602006005327D1; US8960050B2; EP1806269B1; ATE423719T1; EP1806269A1; US20090205460A1

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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to steering column assemblies and more particularly to a lever for moving a steering column between locked and unlocked positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles are often equipped with steering columns that adjust the position of the steering wheel to enhance the comfort and safety of the driver. For example, the steering column may telescope to move closer to and away from the driver. Also, the position of the steering wheel may be tilted or raked relative to other components of the column. These features cooperate to allow the driver to adjust the steering wheel to a desired, convenient position for operating the vehicle, and for enabling the wheel to be moved out of the way to provide greater access to getting into and out of the driver's seat of the vehicle. Adjustable steering columns also include locks for maintaining the steering column in the desired position. Steering column locks can be mechanical or electromechanical. It is important to lock the steering column between adjustments and while the vehicle is moving to enhance the safe operation of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a steering column assembly with a lock and a lever assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the first exemplary lever assembly having a first lever portion, a second lever portion and a lost motion linkage wherein the lost motion linkage is disposed to transmit rotation of the second lever portion about an axis to the first lever portion;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the first exemplary lever assembly wherein the lost motion linkage has yielded to movement of the second lever portion in a direction parallel to the axis;
FIG. 4 is a front view of the first exemplary lever assembly;
FIG. 5 is a top view of a second exemplary lever assembly;
FIG. 6 is a top view of a second lever portion of the second exemplary lever assembly and part of a lost motion linkage of the second exemplary lever assembly;
FIG. 7 is a front view of the second exemplary lever assembly;
FIG. 8 is a top view of a third exemplary lever assembly;
FIG. 9 is a front view of the third exemplary lever assembly;
FIG. 10 is a front view of a second lever portion and part of a lost motion linkage of the third exemplary lever assembly;
FIG. 11 is a top view of a fourth exemplary lever assembly;
FIG. 12 is a top view of the fourth exemplary lever assembly wherein a lost motion linkage has yielded to movement of a second lever portion in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation;
FIG. 13 is a front view of the second lever portion and part of the lost motion linkage of the fourth exemplary lever assembly;
FIG. 14 is a front view of the fourth exemplary lever assembly with a portion cut-away;
FIG. 15 is a top view of a fifth exemplary lever assembly;
FIG. 16 is a top view of the fifth exemplary lever assembly wherein a lost motion linkage has yielded to movement of a second lever portion in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation;
FIG. 17 is a front view of the fifth exemplary lever assembly;
FIG. 18 is a top view of a sixth exemplary lever assembly;
FIG. 19 is a top view of the sixth exemplary lever assembly wherein a lost motion linkage has yielded to movement of a second lever portion in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation; and
FIG. 20 is a front view of the sixth exemplary lever assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A plurality of different embodiments of the invention are shown in the Figures of the application. Similar features are shown in the various embodiments of the invention. Similar features have been numbered with a common reference numeral and have been differentiated by an alphabetic designation. Also, to enhance consistency, features in any particular drawing share the same alphabetic designation even if the feature is shown in less than all embodiments. Similar features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and/or have the same function unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. Furthermore, particular features of one embodiment can replace corresponding features in another embodiment unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, in a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, a lever assembly 10 for controlling a lock 12 of a steering column assembly 14. The lever assembly 10 includes a first lever portion 16 pivotable about a locking axis 18 between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of a steering column assembly 14 and an unlocked position spaced from the locked position. The steering column assembly 14 is moveable in adjusting movement when the first lever portion 16 is in the unlocked position. The lever assembly 10 also includes a second lever portion 20 defining a handle portion 22 and operable to rotate about the locking axis 18. The lever assembly 10 also includes a lost motion linkage 24 disposed between the first lever portion 16 and the second lever portion 20. The lost motion linkage 24 is operable to transmit rotation of the second lever portion 20 about the locking axis 18 to pivot the first lever portion 16 between the locked position and the unlocked position. The lost motion linkage 24 is also operable to yield in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18.
Lost motion refers to a difference between the motion of a driver and that of a follower. A lost motion device or linkage allows for motion of the follower in response to motion of the driver over a certain range or in a certain direction. A lost motion device yields in response to movement of the driver beyond the predetermined range or in response to direction of the driver in one or more directions. In the exemplary embodiments of the invention, the follower is the first lever portion and the driver is the second lever portion. The lost motion linkages of the exemplary embodiments of the invention allow for motion of the various first lever portions in response to rotation of the various second lever portions about the axis. The lost motion linkages of the exemplary embodiments of the invention yield in response to movement of the various second lever portions in a direction parallel to the axis. A direction parallel to the axis can occur if the second lever portion rotates relative to the lost motion linkage.
In the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the steering column assembly 14 includes a steering column jacket 54 operable to support a steering shaft 56 in a vehicle. A steering wheel (not shown) can be engaged at one end of the steering shaft 56. A collar 58 presents a surface 60 for guiding movement of the steering column jacket 54. The collar 58 can guide sliding movement of the steering column jacket 54, corresponding to telescoping movement, or can guide raking movement of the steering column jacket 54 in alternative embodiments of the invention. Also, in other embodiments of the invention, the collar 58 can be integrally formed with a first steering column jacket and guide movement of a second steering column jacket.
The exemplary lock 12 includes a locking member 62 is operable to move in a first direction from an unlocked position to a locked position to increasingly urge the steering column jacket 54 and the surface 60 together to lock relative movement between the steering column jacket 54 and the collar 60. In the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the locking member 62 is thread defined on the outer surface of a shaft 64. The thread of the locking member 62 is engaged with collar 58 at two positions of the collar 58. The collar 58 is c-shaped and includes first and second side walls 66, 68 integrally formed with respect to one another. The first and second side walls 66, 68 define the surface 60. The locking member 62 urges the first and second side walls 66, 68 together.
The first lever portion 16 is connected to the shaft for pivoting movement about the locking axis 18. The shaft 64 is operable to pivot in a first angular direction about the locking axis 18 to move the locking member 62 in the first direction. FIG. 1 shows the locking member 62 in the unlocked position. The collar 58 defines a gap between the first and second side walls 66, 68 and the steering column jacket 54 can move relative to the collar 58. Pivoting movement of the shaft 64 about the axis 18 moves each individual thread of the locking member 62. Pivoting movement of the shaft 64 in a first angular direction moves the locking member 62 toward the locked position and pivoting movement of the shaft 64 in a second direction opposite the first angular direction moves the locking member 62 toward the unlocked position. After the shaft 64 has been pivoted to move the locking member 62 to the locked position, the gap between first and second side walls 66, 68 closes in the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, a gap may still exist between the side walls 66, 68 of the collar 58 after the locking member 62 has been moved to the locked position.
The lock 12 and the steering column assembly 14 are exemplary. In alternative embodiments of the invention, different locking structures can be used to practice the invention, such as wedge locks, positive locks with detents and/or teeth, or electo-mechanical locks. Also, any configuration of steering column assembly can be used to practice the invention including telescoping columns, raking columns, tilting columns, and any combination of telescoping, raking and tilting columns.
FIG. 2 shows the lever assembly 10 disposed to transmit rotation of the second lever portion 20 about the axis 18 to pivot the first lever portion 16 about the axis 18 and lock or unlock the lock 12. In operation, the second lever portion 20 may extend downward, toward a floor of the vehicle when the lock 12 is unlocked. If a driver of the vehicle were to leave the second lever portion 20 extending downward and attempt to exit the vehicle, the driver's knee may contact the second lever portion 20 and urge movement of the second lever portion 20 in a direction 70 or in a direction 78. The lost motion linkage 24 allows the second lever portion 20 to move relative to first lever portion 16 in such an event, as best shown in FIG. 3.
The first exemplary lost motion linkage 24 includes interlocking arms 72, 74, 76. The arms 72, 74 are integrally formed with the first lever portion 16 and the arm 76 is integrally formed with the second lever portion 20. A pivot pin 52 extends through the arms 72, 74, 76 to pivotally connect the first lever portion 16 and the second lever portion 20. Preferably, the second lever portion 20 is rotated when the arms 72, 74, 76 are aligned and overlap one another, as best shown in FIG. 1. However, the second lever portion 20 could be rotated when the arms 72, 74, 76 are not aligned and overlapping one another, as best shown in FIG. 2, if the arms 72, 74, 76 are sized appropriately.
The lost motion linkage 24 is breakable in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18. The lost motion linkage 24 also includes a mechanical fuse 26. The mechanical fuse 26 is a shear pin 26. The shear pin 26 extends through the arms 72, 74, 76 and is spaced from the pivot pin 52. When the second lever portion 20 rotates about the pivot pin 52 relative to the first lever portion 16, the shear pin 26 is broken. Thus, the first exemplary lost motion linkage 24 yields by being broken. The shear pin 26 can be replaced rather than replacing the entire lever assembly 10.
Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, in a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, a lever assembly 10 a for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly, such as lock 12 and steering column assembly 14 of the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The lever assembly 10 a includes a first lever portion 16 a pivotable about a locking axis 18 a between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of a steering column assembly 14 and an unlocked position spaced from the locked position. The steering column assembly 14 is moveable in adjusting movement when the first lever portion 16 a is in the unlocked position. The lever assembly 10 a also includes a second lever portion 20 a defining a handle portion 22 a and operable to rotate about the locking axis 18 a. The lever assembly 10 a also includes a lost motion linkage 24 a disposed between the first lever portion 16 a and the second lever portion 20 a. The lost motion linkage 24 a is operable to transmit rotation of the second lever portion 20 a about the locking axis 18 a to pivot the first lever portion 16 a between the locked position and the unlocked position. The lost motion linkage 24 a is also operable to yield in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 a in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 a.
The second exemplary lost motion linkage 24 a includes a body 80 a defining a cantilevered snap arm 82 a. The snap arm 82 a defines a snap edge 84 a. The body 80 a is integrally formed with the second lever portion 20 a and received a cavity (not visible) formed in the first lever portion 16 a. The snap edge 84 a of the lost motion linkage 24 a is received in a snap recess 86 a formed in the first lever portion 16 a to connect the first lever portion 16 a with the second lever portion 20 a.
The lost motion linkage 24 a is breakable in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 a in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 a. The lost motion linkage 24 a includes a mechanical fuse 26 a. The mechanical fuse 26 a is a narrowed portion of the body portion 80 a. The mechanical fuse 26 a includes a height 28 a extending in a direction transverse to the locking axis 18 a and a width 30 a extending in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 a. The height 28 a is greater than the width 30 a so that the fuse 26 a will not break during normal operation, when the driver engages the handle portion 22 a to lock or unlock the lock of the steering column assembly. The width 30 a is less than the height 28 a so that the fuse 26 a will break in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 a in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 a, such as when a driver of the vehicle contacts the second lever portion 20 a during exit or entry of the vehicle. In the second exemplary embodiment of the invention, the height 28 a is twice the width 30 a. Thus, the second exemplary lost motion linkage 24 a yields by being broken. The second lever portion 20 a and integrally formed lost motion linkage 24 a can be replaced rather than replacing the entire lever assembly 10 a.
Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, in a third exemplary embodiment of the invention, a lever assembly 10 b for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly, such as lock 12 and steering column assembly 14 of the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The lever assembly 10 b includes a first lever portion 16 b pivotable about a locking axis 18 b between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of a steering column assembly 14 and an unlocked position spaced from the locked position. The steering column assembly 14 is moveable in adjusting movement when the first lever portion 16 b is in the unlocked position. The lever assembly 10 b also includes a second lever portion 20 b defining a handle portion 22 b and operable to rotate about the locking axis 18 b. The lever assembly 10 b also includes a lost motion linkage 24 b disposed between the first lever portion 16 b and the second lever portion 20 b. The lost motion linkage 24 b is operable to transmit rotation of the second lever portion 20 b about the locking axis 18 b to pivot the first lever portion 16 b between the locked position and the unlocked position. The lost motion linkage 24 b is also operable to yield in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 b in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 b.
The third exemplary lost motion linkage 24 b is constructed similarly and operates similarly as the second exemplary lost motion linkage 24 a. The lost motion linkage 24 b includes a mechanical fuse 26 b having a height 28 b extending in a direction transverse to the locking axis 18 b and a width 30 b extending in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 a. The height 28 b is greater than the width 30 b so that the fuse 26 b will not break during normal operation, when the driver engages the handle portion 22 b to lock or unlock the lock of the steering column assembly. The width 30 b is less than the height 28 b so that the fuse 26 b will break in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 b in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 b, such as when a driver of the vehicle contacts the second lever portion 20 b during exit or entry of the vehicle. Thus, the second exemplary lost motion linkage 24 b yields by being broken. The second lever portion 20 b and integrally formed lost motion linkage 24 b can be replaced rather than replacing the entire lever assembly 10 a. The difference between the second and third exemplary embodiments of the invention is that the second lever portion 20 b and the lost motion linkage 24 b define a more pronounce bend than the second lever portion 20 a and the lost motion linkage 24 a.
Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, in a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention, a lever assembly 10 c for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly, such as lock 12 and steering column assembly 14 of the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The lever assembly 10 c includes a first lever portion 16 c pivotable about a locking axis 18 c between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of a steering column assembly 14 and an unlocked position spaced from the locked position. The steering column assembly 14 is moveable in adjusting movement when the first lever portion 16 c is in the unlocked position. The lever assembly 10 c also includes a second lever portion 20 c defining a handle portion 22 c and operable to rotate about the locking axis 18 c. The lever assembly 10 c also includes a lost motion linkage 24 c disposed between the first lever portion 16 c and the second lever portion 20 c. The lost motion linkage 24 c is operable to transmit rotation of the second lever portion 20 c about the locking axis 18 c to pivot the first lever portion 16 c between the locked position and the unlocked position. The lost motion linkage 24 c is also operable to yield in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 c in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 c.
The fourth exemplary lost motion linkage 24 c includes an aperture 88 cformed in the first lever portion 16 c and a pivot pin 52 c extending from the second lever portion 20 c and through the aperture 88 cto pivotally connect the first lever portion 16 c and the second lever portion 20 c about a pivot axis 32 c. The lost motion linkage 24 c also includes a locking pin 34 c spaced from the pivot axis 32 c and integrally formed with respect to the second lever portion 20 c. The lost motion linkage 24 c also includes first and second opposing jaws 36 c, 38 c integrally formed with respect to the first lever portion 16 c. The jaws 36 c, 38 c receive the locking pin 34 c during normal operation, such as when the driver engages the handle portion 22 c to unlock or unlock the lock of the steering column assembly.
The lost motion linkage 24 c is resiliently deformable in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 c in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 c. For example, when a driver of the vehicle contacts the second lever portion 20 c during exit or entry of the vehicle, the locking pin 34 c is operable to separate the first and second opposing jaws 36 c, 38 c in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 c. Thus, the jaws 36 c, 38 c of the lost motion linkage 24 c yield by resiliently deforming in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 c in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 c. The locking pin 34 c can be re-engaged between the jaws 36 c, 38 c after disengagement to restore the lever assembly 10 c rather than being replaced.
Referring now to FIGS. 15-17, in a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention, a lever assembly 10 d for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly, such as lock 12 and steering column assembly 14 of the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The lever assembly 10 d includes a first lever portion 16 d pivotable about a locking axis 18 d between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of a steering column assembly 14 and an unlocked position spaced from the locked position. The steering column assembly 14 is moveable in adjusting movement when the first lever portion 16 d is in the unlocked position. The lever assembly 10 d also includes a second lever portion 20 d defining a handle portion 22 d and operable to rotate about the locking axis 18 d. The lever assembly 10 d also includes a lost motion linkage 24 d disposed between the first lever portion 16 d and the second lever portion 20 d. The lost motion linkage 24 d is operable to transmit rotation of the second lever portion 20 d about the locking axis 18 d to pivot the first lever portion 16 d between the locked position and the unlocked position. The lost motion linkage 24 d is also operable to yield in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 d in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 d.
The fifth exemplary lost motion linkage 24 d includes a leaf spring 40 d. The leaf spring 40 d is fixedy connected at one end to the first lever portion 16 d and at a second end to the second lever portion 20 d. The lost motion linkage 24 d is resiliently deformable in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 d in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 d. For example, when a driver of the vehicle contacts the second lever portion 20 d during exit or entry of the vehicle, the second lever portion 20 d can be moved from a first position corresponding to a preferred rotating position to a second position. The preferred rotating position is the position at which, during normal vehicle handling, the driver engages the handle portion 22 d to unlock or unlock the lock of the steering column assembly. The second position can be any position spaced from the first position. Two alternative second positions are shown in FIG. 16, the leaf spring 40 d being bendable in first and second opposite directions parallel to the locking axis 18 d. During movement of the second lever portion 20 d from the first position to the second position, the leaf spring 40 d bends around a pivot axis 32 d. Thus, the leaf spring 40 d of the lost motion linkage 24 d yields by resiliently deforming in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 d in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 d. The leaf spring 40 d can urge the second lever portion 20 d back to the first position.
Referring now to FIGS. 18-20, in a sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention, a lever assembly 10 e for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly, such as lock 12 and steering column assembly 14 of the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The lever assembly 10 e includes a first lever portion 16 e pivotable about a locking axis 18 e between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of a steering column assembly 14 and an unlocked position spaced from the locked position. The steering column assembly 14 is moveable in adjusting movement when the first lever portion 16 e is in the unlocked position. The lever assembly 10 e also includes a second lever portion 20 e defining a handle portion 22 e and operable to rotate about the locking axis 18 e. The lever assembly 10 e also includes a lost motion linkage 24 e disposed between the first lever portion 16 e and the second lever portion 20 e. The lost motion linkage 24 e is operable to transmit rotation of the second lever portion 20 e about the locking axis 18 e to pivot the first lever portion 16 e between the locked position and the unlocked position. The lost motion linkage 24 e is also operable to yield in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 e in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 e.
The sixth exemplary lost motion linkage 24 e includes a coil spring 42 e extending between a first end 44 e and a second end 46 e. The lost motion linkage 24 e also includes a first anchor pin 48 e connected to the first lever portion 16 e and supporting the first end 44 e of the coil spring 42 e. The lost motion linkage 24 e also includes a second anchor pin 50 e connected to the second lever portion 20 e and supporting the second end 46 e of the coil spring 42 e. The lost motion linkage 24 e also includes a pivot pin 52 e disposed between the first and second anchor pins 48 e, 50 e and defining the pivot axis 32 e.
The lost motion linkage 24 e is resiliently deformable in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 e in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 e. For example, when a driver of the vehicle contacts the second lever portion 20 e during exit or entry of the vehicle, the second lever portion 20 e can be moved from a first position corresponding to a preferred rotating position to a second position. The preferred rotating position is the position at which, during normal vehicle handling, the driver engages the handle portion 22 e to unlock or unlock the lock of the steering column assembly. The second position can be any position spaced from the first position. Two alternative second positions are shown in FIG. 19, the second lever portion 20 e being pivotable in first and second opposite directions relative to the pivot axis 32 e. During movement of the second lever portion 20 e from the first position to the second position, the coil spring 42 e is stretched. Thus, the coil spring 42 e of the lost motion linkage 24 e yields by resiliently deforming in response to movement of the second lever portion 20 e in a direction parallel to the locking axis 18 e. The coil spring 42 e can urge the second lever portion 20 e back to the first position.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

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.