Abstract: A device for adjusting a steering column includes a body and a cap assembled by a pivot and a connection element enabling the displacement of the body with respect to the cap under the action of a motor-reduction unit mounted on the body. The device is characterized in that the connection element includes at least one arm of which a first end is attached to the cap and a second end is connected to a threaded rod with vertical displacement cooperating in rotation with the drive shaft of a motor-reduction unit so that the arm forms a hinge enabling the reversible angular displacement of the body with respect to the cap.

Abstract: A holding device hold a first member in position relative to a second member on a clamping pin. Two racks respectively one connected to the first and second members and adapted to interengage in a locked position. A return spring separates the racks in an unlocked position. An additional spring co-operates with a bracket. The racks, return spring and additional spring are mounted on the clamping pin. The additional spring bears against the bracket and operates on the mobile rack to assure complete interpenetration of the mobile rack and the fixed rack. The main application of the device is to automobile vehicle steering columns.

Abstract: A homokinetic joint for linking a driving shaft and a driven shaft of an automotive steering column for transmission of rotation between the driving shaft and the driven shaft. The joint has two opposite end yokes with a coupling yoke intermediate the two end yokes. The end yokes each have an end hub for linking a respective one of the shafts thereto and branched arms defining a yoke or fork opposite the hub for linking the end yoke to the coupling yoke. Two pivotable cross-pieces link the two end yokes respectively to the coupling yoke for positioning the axes of the shafts for homokinetic transmission of torque. A center ball joint unit has a ball stud and spherical ball fixed on one of the end yokes and a guide carried by the other of the end yokes. A sleeve is disposed in the guide and the ball is disposed in the sleeve. The spherical ball is angularly movable in the sleeve for angular offset variation between the shafts during transmission of torque.

Abstract: The column comprises a column body (1) mounted on the frame via brackets (5, 6) comprising openings (15, 16) for the passage of fixing elements (12) to the frame, and capsules (10, 11) enclosing the brackets and retained by the fixing elements (12). The openings comprise guiding surfaces (21) disposed two by two on both sides of a vertical plane (31) containing the axis (32) of the column. In the event of an impact occurring, the brackets integral with the column body (1) move with respect to the capsules fixed to the frame, the guiding surfaces (21) sliding into the capsules (10, 11). These movements absorb a portion of the energy due to the impact and the surfaces ensure the axial guiding of the column. The capsules are made of plastics and a metallic insert is inserted between the fixing elements and the capsules. The column is particularly useful for motor vehicles provided with an inflatable safety air bag should an impact occur.

Abstract: A depth-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle whose shaft is disposed in a tube body including two tubes (2, 3), one sliding in the other, a sheath (5) being disposed between the two tubes (2, 3). The sheath (5) comprises projecting elements which are flexible in a radial direction and come into contact with at least one of the tubes (2, 3). The projecting elements are orientated longitudinally, namely parallel to the axis of the tubes (2, 3).

Abstract: Steering column for a motor vehicle and comprising a body (1), a fixed portion (2) rigidly linked to the frame of the vehicle and a mobile portion (3) rigidly linked to the body (1). The column also comprises a fixed notched element (70) integral with a bracket (21) of the fixed portion (2), a mobile notched element (71) connected to the mobile portion (3), and fixing elements (51, 52, 53, 54, 55) making it possible to render integral the mobile (3) and fixed (2) portions in a locked position in which the notches (80, 90) of the two notched elements (70, 71) cooperate by shape mating. An elastic device (72) is provided between the fixed (70) and mobile (71) notched elements, causing the elements (70, 71) to be moved apart from each other, when the fixing elements (51, 52, 53, 54, 55) are inactivated and thus allowing to unlock the link between the fixed (2) and mobile (3) portions.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing device for an automobile steering column having a body-tube housing the steering shaft. A support made as two parallel vertical members mountably fixed on a vehicle body mount the steering column axially between them. The body-tube has reinforcement members on two opposite sides. An attaching device compresses the reinforcement members in the support with a tightening non-rotatable bolt extending axially through the body-tube reinforcement members and the support members. A nut on one end of the bolt is tightened by an operator for establishing a determined level of a frictional force between the support and body tube.

Abstract: A monobloc coupling is formed from a sheet and is adapted to be connected, on the one hand, to a torque transmitting device, and on the other hand, to a receiving device. This coupling includes three sections along an axis. A linking section for lining the coupling with the torque transmitting device is provided and includes a hub which is axially split and which is connected to the torque transmitting device by a fastening unit. An intermediate section is provided and is formed with two claws having longitudinal rims. The rims have complementary profiles which fit together and absorb the stresses on the coupling unit. An angle is formed between two claws 6 and 7 so that the rims fit one another. A linking section 3 for linking the coupling with the receiving device is provided and includes linking or fastening legs. The coupling is useful in the steering units of automotive vehicles.

Abstract: A device comprises a single motor (30) and a transmission (40) associated with the motor (30) and with a sleeve (22) and which has an input (410) connected to the motor (30) and two outputs (421, 422) which are associated with a movable body (222). One of these outputs (421) is connected to a sliding element (2221) in order to cause it to move translationally, and the other of these outputs (422) is connected to a pivoting element (2222) in order to cause it to be inclined. The two outputs (421, 422) are activated at paired relative speeds in order to ensure the adjustment in terms of depth of the two elements (2221, 2222) of the movable body (222), and of sections (211, 212) of a shaft (21) which these elements carry, and so that only the output (422) connected to the pivoting element (2222) is activated in order to ensure adjustment in terms of inclination of the pivoting element ( 2222) and of the shaft section (211) which it carries.

Abstract: A rod with an increased capacity for buckling under length-wise load has a central portion bent in the form of an omega with a central bend joined to end portions by elbows. The cross-section of the central portion is formed, for example by plastic deformation, into the shape of a bow-tie or the mathematical symbol "infinity" which consists of two lateral lobes connected by a thin central core and which is inscribed in a rectangle of which the length is equal to at least twice its width. Such rod is used as a shaft in a motor vehicle safety steering column.