Abstract: A steering column (10) includes a support (24) through which a steering column member (12) extends connected with a mounting bracket (68). A locking mechanism (130) locks the support (24) in any one of a plurality of positions relative to the mounting bracket (68). The locking mechanism (130) has a locking shaft (200) extending through first and second cams (148, 132) and the mounting bracket (68). The first cam (148) is rotatable relative to the locking shaft (200) and the second cam (132) and has a first cam surface (150). The second cam (132) has a second cam surface (134) facing the first cam surface (150). A bearing (166) includes a flexible cage (168) and a plurality of bearing members (170) rotatable relative to the cage engaging the first and second cam surfaces (150, 134). The locking mechanism (130) clamps the support (24) to the mounting bracket (68) when the first cam (148) is in a first position relative to the second cam (132).

Abstract: A steering column (10, 210) includes a support (24, 224) which supports a steering column member for rotation about a longitudinal axis (26, 226). A mounting bracket (50, 266) connects the steering column (10, 210) to a vehicle frame. A pair of arms (66, 68 and 276, 278) interconnects the support (24, 224) and the mounting bracket (50, 266). Each of the arms (66, 68 and 276, 278) has an end (72, 78 and 296, 304) pivotally connected with the mounting bracket (50, 266) and an end (88, 98 and 310, 318) pivotally connected with the support (24, 224). A locking mechanism (108, 330) locks the arms (66, 68 and 276, 278) relative to the mounting bracket (50, 266) and locks the support (24, 224) relative to the arms. The locking mechanism (108, 330) includes a locking shaft (110, 340) extending through the mounting bracket (50, 266), one of the arms (66, 68 and 276, 278), and into the support (24, 224).

Abstract: An apparatus that mounts a steering shaft connectable with a steering wheel and rotatable to turn steerable vehicle wheels to a vehicle includes a support member connectable with the vehicle. The support member has first and second bearing housings spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft. Each of the first and second bearing housings has a surface extending parallel to the longitudinal axis with an opening through which bearings are inserted that support the steering shaft for rotation relative to the support member.

Abstract: A steering column (10) includes a steering column member (12). A mounting bracket (66) connects the steering column (10) to a vehicle frame. The mounting bracket (66) has a surface defining an aperture (77). A support (24), through which the steering column member (12) extends, is connected with the mounting bracket (66). The support (24) supports the steering column member (12) for rotation about a longitudinal axis (26) of the steering column member (12) and is movable relative to the mounting bracket. A locking mechanism (130) prevents movement of the support (24) relative to the mounting bracket (66). A first portion (42) is connected with the support (24) and is movable with the support (24) and the steering column member (12) relative to the mounting bracket (66). A follower pin (63) extends from the first portion (42) and into the aperture (77) in the mounting bracket (66).

Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle (16) comprises a housing (20) having first and second end portions (32, 34) and an intermediate portion (50). A steering member (66) is supported for axial movement in the housing (20). A piston (100) fixed for movement with the steering member (66) has opposite end faces (104, 106). First and second springs (130, 132) engage the end faces (104, 106) of the piston (100) and bias the piston and thereby the steering member (66) in first and second axial directions toward a straight ahead position. Steering linkage (124, 126) connected with the piston member (100) transmits movement of the piston member (100) to steerable wheels (12, 14) of the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering column (10, 210) includes a steering column member (12, 212) and a support (24, 224) which supports the steering column member for rotation about a longitudinal axis (26, 226) of the steering column member. A mounting bracket (50, 266) connects the steering column (10, 210) to a vehicle frame. A pair of arms (66, 68 and 276, 278) interconnects the support (24, 224) and the mounting bracket (50, 266). Each of the arms (66, 68 and 276, 278) has an end (72, 78 and 296, 304) pivotally connected with the mounting bracket (50, 266) and an end (88, 98 and 310, 318) pivotally connected with the support (24, 224). A locking mechanism (108, 330) locks the arms (66, 68 and 276, 278) in any one of a plurality of pivot positions relative to the mounting bracket (50, 266) and locks the support (24, 224) in any one of a plurality of pivot positions relative to the arms.

Abstract: An apparatus that mounts a steering shaft connectable with a steering wheel and rotatable to turn steerable vehicle wheels to a vehicle includes a support member connectable with the vehicle. The support member has first and second bearing housings spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft. Each of the first and second bearing housings has a surface extending parallel to the longitudinal axis with an opening through which bearings are inserted that support the steering shaft for rotation relative to the support member.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a foot pedal and a steering column to a vehicle, the apparatus having a mounting bracket (10) connectable with a vehicle frame. The foot pedal (26) which controls a vehicle operation is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket (10) by a pivot shaft (30). The steering column (50) is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket (10) by the pivot shaft (30). The steering column (50) includes a steering column member (90) connectable with a steering wheel (94) and rotatable to turn steerable vehicle wheels. A locking mechanism (140) locks the steering column (50) in any one of a plurality of pivot positions relative to the mounting bracket (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel (16) of a vehicle (14) comprises a first steering column part (70) and a second steering column part (80). The first steering column part (70) and the vehicle steering wheel (16) are supported for telescopic movement along an axis (28) between a plurality of different positions relative to the second steering column part (80). A locking mechanism (10) is interposed between the first steering column part (70) and the second steering column part (80) for locking the first steering column part in a selected one of the plurality of positions. The locking mechanism (10) comprises a fluid (100) having a viscosity which varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The locking mechanism (10) also includes means (108) for varying the viscosity of the fluid (100) by varying the energy field to vary the resistance to movement of the first steering column part (70) relative to the second steering column part (80).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for supporting a steering wheel of a vehicle includes a first steering column part (60) and a second steering column part (20) adjacent the first steering column part. The first steering column part (60) and the vehicle steering wheel (16) are supported for pivotal movement about an axis (46) between a plurality of different orientations relative to the second steering column part (20). A locking mechanism is interposed between the first steering column part (60) and the second steering column part (20) for locking the first steering column part in a selected one of the plurality of orientations. The locking mechanism comprises a fluid (90) having a shear strength which varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The apparatus further comprises magnets (114, 116) for varying the shear strength of the fluid (90) by varying the energy field to vary the resistance to movement of the first steering column part (60) relative to the second steering column part (20).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a pivotable steering column member associated with a vehicle steering wheel. A rod member is pivotally attached to the steering column member. The rod member has a longitudinal axis. The rod member moves longitudinally upon pivotal movement of the steering column member. The rod member has a first plurality of teeth extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first plurality of teeth are centered relative to a plane extending through the longitudinal axis. A lever member has a second plurality of teeth for meshing engagement with the first plurality of teeth. The lever member is fixed against movement longitudinally with the rod member.

Abstract: A steering system (10) includes a vehicle steering mechanism (34) which, when actuated, turns steerable wheels (12) of a vehicle. The vehicle steering mechanism (34) is mounted for limited movement in opposite directions from a normal position. An intermediate steering column (26) includes first and second column members (28, 30) which are axially movable relative to each other. The first and second column members (28, 30) are rotatable together about a common axis. The first column member (28) is connected with the steering mechanism (34) to actuate the steering mechanism upon rotation of the first column member. The first and second column members (28, 30) move axially relative to each other upon movement of the vehicle steering mechanism (34) from the normal position. A flexible mount (70) for the second column member (30) elastically deforms in the event the steering mechanism (34) moves from the normal position and the first and second column members (28, 30) fail to move axially relative to each other.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels (14, 16) of a vehicle includes a member (44) movable linearly in opposite directions to turn the steerable wheels in opposite directions. A housing (40) has a chamber (42) into which the member (44) extends. A piston (46) secured to the member (44) is located in the chamber (42). The piston (46) divides the chamber (42) into first and second chamber portions (48, 50). Fluid pressure in the first chamber portion (48) acts on a first area (116) of the piston (46) to cause Linear movement of the member (44) in one direction. Fluid pressure in the second chamber portion (50) acts on a second area (118) of the piston (46) to cause linear movement of the member (44) in a second direction opposite the one direction. The second area (118) of the piston (46) is less than the first area (116) of the piston. A spring (122) acts to urge the member (44) in the second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels (14, 16) includes first and second pistons (42, 44) which cooperate with a housing (46) to define first and second chambers (38, 40). A rotatable screw member (84) extends from one of the chambers (38) into one of the pistons (84). A valve (22) is connected with the screw member (84) and is operable between an unactuated condition and either one of two actuated conditions directing fluid pressure to the chambers. A steering linkage (18) is connected with the pistons (42, 44) at a location between the pistons. Upon operation of the valve (22) from the unactuated condition to the actuated condition, the pistons (42, 44) move in the chambers (38, 40) and turn the steerable vehicle wheels (14, 16). As the pistons (42, 44) move, a ball nut (86) connected with one of the pistons (42) effects rotation of the screw member (84) to operate the valve (22) toward the unactuated condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for turning steerable vehicle wheels (12 and 14) includes a plurality of longitudinally extending force transmitting members (24, 40, 42, 46 and 48) which are connected with coupling assemblies (30, 34 and 36). At least some of the coupling assemblies (30, 34 and 36) include an improved coupling component (52) having a base (56) with a first circular, radially outwardly facing mounting surface (64) for engaging an inner side surface (84) on a tubular force transmitting member (40). In addition, the base (56) of the coupling component (52) includes a second circular mounting surface (66) having a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first circular mounting surface (64) and which is engageable with an inner side surface (94) of a tubular force transmitting member (48) having a smaller diameter than the first tubular force transmitting member (40).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprising an outer tubular member (30) having an axis (32). An inner member (90) extends into the outer tubular member (30, 90) and is coaxial with the outer tubular member. The members (30) have surfaces (52a, 102a, 102b) which define a plurality of races (112) spaced circumferentially around one of the members (90). At least one rotatable element (140) is in each of the races (112). The rotatable elements (140) engage the outer tubular member (30) and the inner member (90) and guide relative axial movement of the outer tubular member and the inner member and transmit torque between the outer tubular member and the inner member. One of the members (30) applies radially directed force to the rotatable elements (140) urging the rotatable elements radially into contact with the other member (90) to provide for a no-lash torque transmission between the members.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable wheels of a vehicle includes a first gear (16) and a second gear (14). The first gear (16) is movable along an axis (24) to reduce clearance between meshing teeth (18 and 20) on the gears (14 and 16). A lash adjustment assembly (46) is operable to adjust the clearance between the teeth (18 and 20) of the gears (14 and 16). The lash adjustment assembly (46) includes a threaded member (60). An external thread convolution (66) on a shank portion (64) of the threaded member (60) engages an internal thread convolution (68) on the first gear (16). A spring (72) has a plurality of turns (78) which are coiled around the shank portion (64) of the threaded member (60). One end portion of the spring (72) is connected to the shank portion (64) of the externally threaded force member (60).

Abstract: A shroud for surrounding an upper end of a vehicle steering column includes first and second portions. The first portion defines a first opening through which the steering column extends. The second portion at least in part defines a second opening through which a turn signal actuator mounted on the steering column extends. The second portion can be mounted in different positions relative to the first portion depending on the position of the turn signal actuator relative to the steering column. The second portion at least partially closes the first opening defined by the first portion when the second portion is in the different positions. The second portion has a third opening through which the steering column extends.

Abstract: A steering column has a first steering column member movable axially relative to a second steering column member. A member having a plurality of teeth is connected to the first steering column member and movable with the first steering column member relative to the second steering column member. A support connects the steering column to a vehicle frame. A clamping member has a first position in which the clamping member clamps the member connected to the first steering column member to the support to prevent the first steering column member from moving relative to the second steering column member. The clamping member has a second position in which the clamping member permits the first steering column member to move relative to the second steering column member.

Abstract: A flexible boot (10) comprises a body (80) which defines a cavity (82) for receiving a universal joint (50). A first end portion (100) of the body (80) encircles an intermediate steering shaft (30). The first end portion (108) includes a pair of annular ribs (110 and 112) and a first annular lip (102) which extends radially inward to provide a seal between the first end portion (100) of the body (80) and the intermediate steering shaft (30). The pair of annular ribs (100 and 112) are located adjacent the first annular lip (102) and extend radially inward. The pair of ribs (110 and 112) define a recess (118) therebetween. The flexible boot (10) further comprises a bearing (90) in the recess (118) for supporting rotation of the intermediate steering shaft (30) relative to the flexible boot (10), and a second end portion (120) of the body (80) which includes a second annular lip (122) for receipt in a groove (62) on a steering gear housing (60) to secure the body (80) to the steering gear housing (60).