Abstract: A linear actuator including a socket on a first element of a motor vehicle steering column, an expandable nut loosely disposed in the socket, and a screw shaft rotatably supported on a second element of the steering column. The expandable nut consists of a front segment facing a distal end of the screw shaft and a back segment behind the front segment. An inside screw thread in the back segment of the expandable nut is angularly phased relative to an inside screw thread in the front segment. The expandable nut self-aligns with the screw shaft when the latter is screwed into the inside screw thread in the front segment. An outboard end of the thread groove in the screw shaft defining the outside screw thread thereon spreads apart the front and back segments of the expandable nut to positions resiliently wedged between the screw shaft and the socket to eliminate lash between the screw shaft and the first element of the steering column.

Abstract: A length adjustable motor vehicle steering column including a tubular first mast jacket element, a tubular second mast jacket element telescopically overlapping the first mast jacket element, a plurality of elastic rolling elements squeezed between linear tracks on the first and second mast jacket elements, a separator having a plurality of cells loosely receiving the elastic rolling elements and maintaining relative spacing therebetween, and a plurality of smaller inelastic rolling elements suspended by the separator between the linear tracks on the first and second mast jacket elements. The elastic rolling elements eliminate lash between the first and second mast jacket elements and support the first mast jacket element on the second mast jacket element for low friction relative linear translation. The inelastic rolling elements define positive stops which limit deformation of the elastic rolling elements and flexure of the steering column perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline thereof.

Abstract: A shaft coupling between telescopically overlapped ends of a first shaft and a second shaft including a plurality of inside linear grooves in the first shaft, a plurality of outside linear grooves in the second shaft cooperating with the inside linear grooves in defining a plurality of linear cylindrical passages between the first and the second shafts, and an elastomeric bearing in each of the linear cylindrical passages consisting of a pair of barrel-shaped lugs at opposite ends of an integral beam spring. The barrel-shaped lugs couple together the first and the second shafts for unitary rotation about and for relative linear translation in the direction of a longitudinal centerline of the shaft coupling. The inside and outside grooves bear tangentially against the barrel-shaped lugs. The beam springs maintain substantially zero angular lash between the first and the second shafts by resiliently tipping the barrel-shaped lugs endwise in the linear cylindrical passages.