Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a base configured for attachment to a vehicle; an elongate steering column, a movable steering column support, a first guide means, a displaceable carriage, a second guide means as well as first and second displacement means. The steering column may be movably mounted on the base. The first guide means may constrain the steering column support into displacement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steering column. The displaceable carriage may be located between the movable steering column support and base. The second guide means may constrain the carriage into displacement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steering column. The first displacement means may displace the steering column support with respect to the carriage. The second displacement means may simultaneously displace the carriage with respect to the base.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering system. The gearbox assembly includes a housing, a worm shaft, and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing assembly and a tail bearing assembly. The tail bearing assembly at least is free to move relative to the housing, allowing the worm shaft to move radially away from the axis of the gear wheel. The worm shaft is enables to move normal to the worm shaft axis such that it can move in and out of meshing contact with the gear wheel. The assembly further includes a gripping means that acts between the tail bearing assembly and the housing such that torque transmitted through the gear wheel generates a friction force that locks the tail bearing assembly to prevent movement of the worm shaft normal to the worm shaft axis that would otherwise occur.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a housing, a shaft, a first gear, first and second motors. The shaft is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing and is configured for attachment of a steering wheel at one end. The first gear is connected to and configured to rotate with the shaft. Each of the first and second motors have an output driving a respective output gear. The output gears are engaged with the first gear, and there being control means configured to operate the motors in a first mode in which the motors apply torque to the first gear in opposite directions and a second mode in which the motors apply torque to the first gear in the same direction.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus comprises a gearbox housing which houses a worm shaft and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing assembly at an end closest to the motor and by a tail bearing assembly at an end furthest from the motor. The main bearing assembly comprises an inner race and an outer race separated by bearing elements, the outer race being supported by a carrier that is supported by an axle that is in turn secured to gearbox housing, the axle defining a pivot axis for the worm shaft that is located on the side of the worm shaft closest to the wheel gear and extends in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the worm shaft and parallel to the axis of the wheel gear.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus comprises a gearbox housing which houses a worm shaft and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing at an end closest to the motor and by a tail bearing at an end furthest from the motor, and the gear wheel being supported by an output shaft having at least one end that provides a take-off from the gearbox assembly, in which the main bearing and tail bearing are free to move relative to the housing through a limited range of motion that enables the worm shaft to pivot away from the wheel gear facilitated by tilting of the main bearing about a pivot that is fixed relative to the housing, characterised in that the gearbox assembly is arranged such that the pivot reacts the axial component of the worm shaft tooth load that arises when a gearwheel torque is applied to the gearwheel in a first direction but not in a second, opposing, direction, and in that a tensioning device is provided that reacts th

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus. The assembly comprises a gearbox housing which houses a worm shaft and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing assembly at an end closest to the motor and by a tail bearing assembly, at an end furthest from the motor, comprising an inner race and an outer race separated by bearing elements. The gearbox assembly further comprises a first guiding surface upon which the outer race is supported, the outer race being able to move by rolling along the guiding surface when a radial load is applied to the tail bearing assembly by the worm shaft, and a guide device which contacts both the outer bearing and a second guiding surface, the biasing spring acting upon the tail bearing assembly indirectly by acting upon the guide device which in turn acts upon the bearing assembly. The gear wheel i supported by an output shaft having at least one end that provides a take-off from the gearbox assembly.

Abstract: A telescopic steering column assembly comprising an upper shroud portion and a lower shroud portion is supported by the shroud portions through a support bearing assembly that acts between an upper portion of the telescopic steering shaft and a lower portion of the shroud that move relative to one another axially during telescopic adjustment, in which the support bearing assembly comprises: a set of bearings elements, a bearing cage comprising a sleeve that is located between an outer face of the upper shaft and an inner face of the lower shroud portion and is free to move axially relative to one of the upper shaft and the lower shroud, the cage including pockets that extend through the sleeve, each pocket loosely locating a bearing element such that a portion of the bearing element extends through the cage to engage with a first bearing race surface defined by one of the upper shaft and the shroud, an annular bearing race having a tapered second bearing race surface that engages the bearing elements located

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering system. The gearbox assembly includes a housing, a worm shaft, and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing assembly and a tail bearing assembly. The tail bearing assembly at least is free to move relative to the housing, allowing the worm shaft to move radially away from the axis of the gear wheel. The worm shaft is enables to move normal to the worm shaft axis such that it can move in and out of meshing contact with the gear wheel. The assembly further includes a gripping means that acts between the tail bearing assembly and the housing such that torque transmitted through the gear wheel generates a friction force that locks the tail bearing assembly to prevent movement of the worm shaft normal to the worm shaft axis that would otherwise occur.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus comprises a gearbox housing which houses a worm shaft and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing assembly at an end closest to the motor and by a tail bearing assembly at an end furthest from the motor, and the gear wheel being supported by an output shaft having at least one end that provides a take-off from the gearbox assembly, in which the tail bearing assembly is free to move relative to the housing through a limited range of motion that enables the worm shaft to move radially away from the axis of the wheel gear. A biasing means applies a biasing force to the tail bearing assembly that biases the worm shaft into engagement with the wheel gear.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus. The assembly comprises a gearbox housing which houses a worm shaft and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing assembly at an end closest to the motor and by a tail bearing assembly, at an end furthest from the motor, comprising an inner race and an outer race separated by bearing elements. The gearbox assembly further comprises a first guiding surface upon which the outer race is supported, the outer race being able to move by rolling along the guiding surface when a radial load is applied to the tail bearing assembly by the worm shaft, and a guide device which contacts both the outer bearing and a second guiding surface, the biasing spring acting upon the tail bearing assembly indirectly by acting upon the guide device which in turn acts upon the bearing assembly. The gear wheel i supported by an output shaft having at least one end that provides a take-off from the gearbox assembly.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus comprises a gearbox housing which houses a worm shaft and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing at an end closest to the motor and by a tail bearing at an end furthest from the motor, and the gear wheel being supported by an output shaft having at least one end that provides a take-off from the gearbox assembly, in which the main bearing and tail bearing are free to move relative to the housing through a limited range of motion that enables the worm shaft to pivot away from the wheel gear facilitated by tilting of the main bearing about a pivot that is fixed relative to the housing, characterised in that the gearbox assembly is arranged such that the pivot reacts the axial component of the worm shaft tooth load that arises when a gearwheel torque is applied to the gearwheel in a first direction but not in a second, opposing, direction, and in that a tensioning device is provided that reacts th

Abstract: A telescopic steering column assembly comprising an upper shroud portion and a lower shroud portion is supported by the shroud portions through a support bearing assembly that acts between an upper portion of the telescopic steering shaft and a lower portion of the shroud that move relative to one another axially during telescopic adjustment, in which the support bearing assembly comprises: a set of bearings elements, a bearing cage comprising a sleeve that is located between an outer face of the upper shaft and an inner face of the lower shroud portion and is free to move axially relative to one of the upper shaft and the lower shroud, the cage including pockets that extend through the sleeve, each pocket loosely locating a bearing element such that a portion of the bearing element extends through the cage to engage with a first bearing race surface defined by one of the upper shaft and the shroud, an annular bearing race having a tapered second bearing race surface that engages the bearing elements located

Abstract: A telescopic assembly comprises a first portion and a second portion and a support bearing assembly that acts between the two portions; the two portions being able to move relatively along a common path during telescopic adjustment; the support bearing assembly being located between the two portions and locating the two portions relative to one another to remove free play between the two portions that would otherwise occur in at least one direction orthogonal to the telescopic movement; characterized in that the support bearing assembly is fixed in position between the two portions by a release mechanism that is arranged, in use, to cause the support bearing assembly to grip both the first and second portions when they are not moving telescopically, to automatically release that grip upon relative telescopic movement of the two portions that exceeds a predetermined distance, and to automatically re-engage.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle, comprises a shroud comprising an axially movable upper portion and an axially fixed lower portion, which move telescopically to provide adjustment for reach of the steering column assembly, a steering shaft supported by the shroud, a pivot which connects a part of the lower portion to a fixed part of the vehicle, a clamp mechanism which releasably fixes the upper and lower portions and the shroud in position relative to a further fixed part of the vehicle. A sprung support assembly is secured to a fixed part of the vehicle and includes an axle that passes underneath the upper portion of the shroud and a cylindrical roller that surrounds a part of the axle and has an outer surface that engages the underside of the shroud and an inner surface that bears on the axle, the sprung support at least partially supports the weight of the shroud when the clamp mechanism is released, and the cylindrical roller rotating around the axle as the shroud is adjusted for reach.

Abstract: A telescopic assembly comprises a first portion and a second portion and a support bearing assembly that acts between the two portions; the two portions being able to move relatively along a common path during telescopic adjustment; the support bearing assembly being located between the two portions and locating the two portions relative to one another to remove free play between the two portions that would otherwise occur in at least one direction orthogonal to the telescopic movement; characterised in that the support bearing assembly is fixed in position between the two portions by a release mechanism that is arranged, in use, to cause the support bearing assembly to grip both the first and second portions when they are not moving telescopically, to automatically release that grip upon relative telescopic movement of the two portions that exceeds a predetermined distance, and to automatically re-engage.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises an adjustable shroud which at least partially surrounds a steering shaft and a clamp mechanism operable between a clamped position in which the adjustable shroud part is locked in position and an unclamped position in which the adjustable shroud part can be moved to set the reach and/or rake of the steering column assembly, in which the clamp mechanism comprises a clamp pin, a locking handle and a cam mechanism fitted to the clamp pin, in which the cam mechanism comprises first and second cam portions which can be moved relative to each other by operation of the locking handle to vary the overall length of the cam mechanism, the unclamped position of the cam mechanism being defined by contact of a first end stop of the first cam portion with a second end stop of the second cam portion.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises a shroud which surrounds a steering column shaft, a mounting bracket secured to or integral with a fixed part of the vehicle, a support bracket secured to the mounting bracket through one or more frangible connectors, a clamp mechanism which releasably secures the shroud to the support bracket, and a blocking part which is fixed in position relative to the mounting and at least in an unclamped condition of the clamp mechanism provides an additional force path between the clamp mechanism and the mounting bracket that does not pass through the support bracket. In the event that an axial load is applied to the steering assembly when the clamp mechanism is unlocked and has reached the end of its allowable travel at least some of the load is carried through the clamp mechanism and the blocking part to the mounting bracket along the additional force path.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering assembly comprises a gearbox housing (20), an output shaft (23), a wheel gear assembly (22) comprising a hub (21) which is fixed to the output shaft by a locating means so as to prevent relative rotational and axial movement between the hub and the output shaft and a gear wheel fixed to the hub, at least one support bearing assembly (25,26) which supports the output shaft relative to the gearbox housing (20), a worm gear which engages the wheel gear (22), and a coupling for transmission of torque from the output shaft to an intermediate shaft that is external to the gearbox housing. The coupling includes a fixing part (31) which is fixed to the output shaft (23) through the gear assembly and the support bearing assembly is provided on the opposite side of the gear assembly (22) to the coupling (31) such that the gear assembly (22) is overhung from the portion of the output shaft supported by the bearings (25,26).

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column shroud comprising an inner member and an outer member, the inner member being at least partially received within the outer member, a support bracket which is fixed in position relative to a part of the vehicle, the outer member passing between two spaced apart arms of the bracket, and a clamp assembly which includes a cam mechanism movable between a locked position in which the clamp assembly fixes the inner member and outer member in position relative to the support bracket and an unlocked position in which the clamp assembly permits movement of at least one of the inner and outer members relative to the support bracket.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly includes a releasable clamp assembly that clamps a shroud of the assembly in position relative to a support bracket, the clamp assembly including an elongate clamp bolt onto which are stacked: at least a part of an adjustable shroud of the steering assembly, and a cam mechanism comprising a fixed cam part and a moving cam part, the two parts each having a bore through which the clamp bolt passes, a thrust bearing, and a locking nut which includes an internal thread that engages a complimentary thread on the clamp bolt and which is locked down so as to apply an axial load to the thrust bearing. The assembly also includes a tapered compliant bush which is pressed into a space defined between the clamp bolt and the bore of the moving cam part of the cam mechanism with the relatively thick end of the bush nearest the thrust bearing and with the thrust bearing applying an axial load to the bush.