Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle preferably has a bracket for rigid attachment to the vehicle with a first slot defining a longitudinal adjustment path of the assembly. A steering shaft is journaled to a jacket of the assembly for rotation about an axis. A shuttle attaches rigidly to the jacket and adjustably to the bracket for telescoping and tilt adjustment of the assembly. The shuttle has a second slot that defines a collapse path with said second slot preferably having a first portion restraining said steering shaft in a normal state and a second portion that allows said steering shaft to move through said collapse path when in a collapsed state. A pin extends through said first and second slots for coupling said shuttle to said bracket.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly with a steering shaft extending through a jacket member. An elongate locking member extends through two opposed sidewalls and a compression member positioned between the sidewalls. One of either the sidewalls or the compression member is fixed relative to the jacket member while the other is fixed relative to the vehicle structure. Spacers are located on opposite sides of the compression member between the compression member and the two sidewalls. First and second abutment surfaces are engaged with outward facing surfaces of the sidewalls and are coupled to the elongate locking member. An actuator assembly moves the locking assembly between unlocked and locked positions. In the locked position, the abutment surfaces bias the sidewalls inwardly to firmly engage the compression member between the spacers.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle preferably has a bracket for rigid attachment to the vehicle with a first slot defining a longitudinal adjustment path of the assembly. A steering shaft is journaled to a jacket of the assembly for rotation about an axis. A shuttle attaches rigidly to the jacket and adjustably to the bracket for telescoping and tilt adjustment of the assembly. The shuttle has a second slot that defines a collapse path with said second slot preferably having a first portion restraining said steering shaft in a normal state and a second portion that allows said steering shaft to move through said collapse path when in a collapsed state. A pin extends through said first and second slots for coupling said shuttle to said bracket.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle preferably has a bracket for rigid attachment to the vehicle with a first slot defining a longitudinal adjustment path of the assembly. A steering shaft is journaled to a jacket of the assembly for rotation about an axis. A shuttle attaches rigidly to the jacket and adjustably to the bracket for telescoping and tilt adjustment of the assembly. The shuttle has a second slot that defines a collapse path with said second slot preferably having a first portion restraining said steering shaft in a normal state and a second portion that allows said steering shaft to move through said collapse path when in a collapsed state. A pin extends through said first and second slots for coupling said shuttle to said bracket.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly with a steering shaft extending through a jacket member. An elongate locking member extends through two opposed sidewalls and a compression member positioned between the sidewalls. One of either the sidewalls or the compression member is fixed relative to the jacket member while the other is fixed relative to the vehicle structure. Spacers are located on opposite sides of the compression member between the compression member and the two sidewalls. First and second abutment surfaces are engaged with outward facing surfaces of the sidewalls and are coupled to the elongate locking member. An actuator assembly moves the locking assembly between unlocked and locked positions. In the locked position, the abutment surfaces bias the sidewalls inwardly to firmly engage the compression member between the spacers.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle preferably has a bracket for rigid attachment to the vehicle with a first slot defining a longitudinal adjustment path of the assembly. A steering shaft is journaled to a jacket of the assembly for rotation about an axis. A shuttle attaches rigidly to the jacket and adjustably to the bracket for telescoping and tilt adjustment of the assembly. The shuttle has a second slot that defines a collapse path with said second slot preferably having a first portion restraining said steering shaft in a normal state and a second portion that allows said steering shaft to move through said collapse path when in a collapsed state. A pin extends through said first and second slots for coupling said shuttle to said bracket.

Abstract: An anti-theft steering shaft lock having a lost motion connection between the steering shaft and a stationary lock keeper on the steering column to dissipate restoring torque on the steering shaft after the driver locks the steering shaft so that subsequent withdrawal of a lock bolt from the lock keeper is not impeded. The lost motion connection includes a lost motion sleeve slidably and rotatably supported on the steering shaft and carrying the lock bolt thereon, a drive pin on the steering shaft received in a V-shaped notch in an end of the lost motion sleeve, a relatively low rate spring biasing the lost motion sleeve against the pin, and a relatively high rate spring which is engaged by the lost motion sleeve after a predetermined angular interval of relative rotation between the steering shaft and the lost motion sleeve to effectively prevent further relative rotation and thereby render the shaft unsteerable.