Abstract: A transmission shift control assembly for a tilting steering column assembly has a rotary arm member to which a transmission shift control cable is attached. The rotary motion at the arm member translates to linear motion at the cable. The arm member is connected with a detent control which has stop members to limit the rotary motion and a locating member to position the shift control at the selected transmission operating condition. A manual lever is secured with the detent control and the arm member to permit operator selection of the desired transmission operating condition. The manual lever pivots a portion of the detent control about one axis to release it from the locating portion so that upon rotation of the manual lever about another axis intersecting the first axis, a change in transmission operation can be selected. The steering column is tiltable about an axis which passes through the point of intersection of the other two axes.

Abstract: Structure and method of encapsulating a compression spring to a height less than working height in between end seats which can be selectively released when in an installed position to permit the spring to extend to a working height.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column for automobiles including an energy absorber having rollable deformer balls with the balls being active throughout all loading conditions of the column to effectively absorb energy for all load conditions from light load to maximum load for the full column stroke.

Abstract: A console or floor-mounted shift lever is connected through a flexible cable to a coupling mechanism mounted on the steering column. The coupling mechanism has a coupling member which is linearly guided in a support bracket and is selectively connectable with an actuator member pivotally mounted on the support bracket and drivingly connected to a portion of the steering column. The coupling cooperates with the actuator such that the actuator is stationary while the transmission shift lever is moved through the conventional shift pattern from "Low" to "Reverse" and is pivoted when the shift lever is moved from "Reverse" to "Park". The pivoting movement of the actuator results in rotation of a portion of a steering column which then permits a conventional ignition locking mechanism to be moved to the "Lock" position.