Abstract: A telescopic steering column assembly comprises a telescopic shroud having an inner shroud portion and an outer shroud portion, and a telescopic steering shaft that passes through the shroud, comprising an inner shaft portion and an outer shaft portion. The telescopic steering shaft is supported by the shroud through a support assembly interposed between the outer shaft portion and the inner shroud portion, which in use, limits or removes free play between the telescopic steering shaft and the shroud that would otherwise occur in at least one direction orthogonal to the telescopic movement.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprising a telescopic steering shaft that is supported within a steering column shroud, the telescopic steering shaft comprising a first shaft having a hollow end and a second shaft that has an end that is located within the hollow end of the first shaft. A plurality of radially-adjustable pins and a resilient contact member are axially separated along a longitudinal axis of the steering column assembly, each being adjustable for the elimination of free play between the first shaft and the second shaft. The pins transmit torque by rotationally interlocking the first shaft and the second shaft.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for a steering column assembly comprises a support bracket; a clamp pin that passes through an elongate slot in the support bracket and an opening in a shroud of the steering column; a fixing member; a toothed rack carried by the support bracket in a position facing the fixing member, the toothed rack comprising a plurality of recesses each spaced from an adjacent recess by a land, the toothed rack extending alongside the elongate slot; a locking pin located in a bore in the fixing member that is biased in a direction towards the toothed rack by a spring; and clamp means that in use causes the fixing member to move between a clamped condition and unclamped condition.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprises a telescopic steering shaft that is supported within a steering column shroud, comprising a first shaft having a hollow end, the inner surface of the hollow end being provided with a plurality of inwardly facing elongate splines that each extend axially along the inner surface, and a second shaft that has an end that is located within the hollow end of the first shaft, the second shaft being provided with a set of outwardly facing elongate splines that each extend axially along the outer surface of the end of the second shaft, the splines of the second shaft inter-engaging the splines of the first shaft to prevent relative rotational movement of the two shafts whilst permitting the two shafts to move axially relative to one another at least in the event of a crash.

Abstract: A shaft having a splined portion comprises a first set of teeth with each tooth spaced radially at intervals about a first outer circumferential region of the shaft and a second set of teeth comprising an equal number of teeth to the first set that are also spaced radially at the same regular intervals about a second outer circumferential region of the shaft that is offset axially from the first region, with at least one tooth of the first set of teeth aligned with a corresponding tooth of the second set to form a pair in which the two teeth of the pair together form an elongate spline; and wherein the first tooth and second tooth of each elongate spline are separated from each other in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft by a groove that terminates at each end by a shoulder forming an end of a respective tooth, characterised in that each shoulder is tapered in a direction normal to the axis of the shaft and in that an overmolding is provided that comprises a portion that covers the teeth that is co

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a shroud; a steering shaft, which is supported by the shroud; a support bracket, a clamp, and a clamp mechanism. The support bracket is configured to be secured to a fixed part of the vehicle and includes two arms that depend from a base portion to embrace the shroud. The clamp pin extends through an opening in each of the arms of the support bracket and in a slot in the shroud. The clamp mechanism is movable between an unclamped position in which the shroud can move relative to the support bracket and a clamped position in which the shroud is fixed relative to the support bracket.

Abstract: A support bracket assembly, for fixing a shroud of a steering column assembly to a vehicle, includes: a support bracket fixable to the shroud; and a capsule assembly for interconnecting the support bracket with a fixed part of the vehicle. The capsule assembly further includes a capsule body; and an energy-absorbing strap; wherein the capsule body and energy-absorbing strap are configured to be fixed to the fixed part of the vehicle. Prior to an application of a predetermined force to the support bracket, the capsule body, energy-absorbing strap, and support bracket are interconnected by a connector and further wherein, upon application of the predetermined force to the support bracket, the connector is configured to separate from the capsule body whilst continuing to interconnect the energy-absorbing strap and support bracket.

Abstract: A steering column assembly is provided that is secured to a vehicle body and includes a mounting bracket securable to the vehicle body and a support bracket secured to a steering column shroud. A breakaway capsule assembly with a frangible connector secures the support bracket to the mounting bracket, the frangible connector, in use, breaking to allow relative movement of the support bracket and the mounting bracket, in the event of a crash. The breakaway capsule assembly includes a fixing portion that overlaps and supports a corresponding portion of the support bracket, the fixing portion including an opening which is aligned with a corresponding opening in the support bracket, the frangible connector passing through and engaging the two aligned openings. A spring biases the fixing portion and the support bracket into engagement with each other to oppose any movement between the fixing portion and the support bracket in the axial direction of the frangible connector during use of the steering assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly comprises a steering column shaft that connects a steering wheel of the vehicle to the steering rack and a shroud that protects and supports the shaft. The shroud comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being movable telescopically relative to the lower portion to permit the length of the steering column assembly to be varied. A mounting bracket secures the shroud to a fixed part of the vehicle. A clamp mechanism secures the shroud to the mounting bracket, the clamp mechanism being operable between a released position in which at least one of the reach and rake of the steering column assembly may be adjusted and a clamped position in which the reach and rake of the steering column assembly are fixed. The clamp mechanism comprises a first rack of teeth and a second rack of teeth that extend in parallel along opposing sides of a slot formed in a part of the steering column shroud or the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprises a telescopic steering shaft that is supported within a steering column shroud. The telescopic steering shaft comprises a first shaft having a hollow end with an inwardly facing wall and a second shaft that has an end that is located within the hollow end of the first shaft. A damper device is located at the end of the second shaft that is located within the hollow end of the first shaft and includes a contact member defining a contact part that contacts the inwardly facing wall. A portion of the inwardly facing wall tapers away from the open end of the hollow end so that in the event of a collapse of the steering column assembly the damper device is forced to move along the tapered portion whereby it is increasingly deformed radially thereby to provide a resistance to further collapse of the steering column assembly.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprises a telescopic steering shaft that is supported within a steering column shroud, comprising a first shaft having a hollow end, the inner surface of the hollow end being provided with a plurality of inwardly facing elongate splines that each extend axially along the inner surface, and a second shaft that has an end that is located within the hollow end of the first shaft, the second shaft being provided with a set of outwardly facing elongate splines that each extend axially along the outer surface of the end of the second shaft, the splines of the second shaft inter-engaging the splines of the first shaft to prevent relative rotational movement of the two shafts whilst permitting the two shafts to move axially relative to one another at least in the event of a crash.

Abstract: A shaft having a splined portion comprises a first set of teeth with each tooth spaced radially at intervals about a first outer circumferential region of the shaft and a second set of teeth comprising an equal number of teeth to the first set that are also spaced radially at the same regular intervals about a second outer circumferential region of the shaft that is offset axially from the first region, with at least one tooth of the first set of teeth aligned with a corresponding tooth of the second set to form a pair in which the two teeth of the pair together form an elongate spline; and wherein the first tooth and second tooth of each elongate spline are separated from each other in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft by a groove that terminates at each end by a shoulder forming an end of a respective tooth, characterised in that each shoulder is tapered in a direction normal to the axis of the shaft and in that an overmolding is provided that comprises a portion that covers the teeth that is co

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a steering column shroud comprising an inner and an outer tubular member, a support bracket which is fixed to part of the vehicle, and a clamp assembly which includes a cab mechanism having a fixed portion and a moving portion and a clamp pin which passes through arms of the support bracket, the clamp pin being provided with a first reaction member located towards one end of the pin outside of one arm of the support bracket and a second reaction member located towards the other end of the clamp pin outside of the other arm of the support bracket such that the arms of the bracket are located on the clamp pin between the reaction members and with the cam assembly located between the outside of one arm and one of the reaction members.