Abstract: A fastener for securing an object is formed of a resilient material and includes an opening therethrough. At least two lines, such as a shoestring, cord, rope, twine, siring, or similar article, extending from the object are disposed through the opening in substantially the same direction. By pulling on respective ends of the line in opposite directions, the fastener is distorted for providing a gripping action between the fastener and the lines. In one embodiment, the fastener is an annular member having the lines wrapped at least once around a wall of the fastener. As the ends of the line are pulled, the annular member twists and rolls into a shape having at least one loop, such as a figure eight type shape. In another embodiment, the fastener is a tubular member. As the ends of the line are pulled, one open end of the tubular member rolls toward an opposite open end of the tubular member.

Abstract: A litter box system and method for containing and separating animal waste from litter includes a first box and a second box forming a container which houses the litter, a floor card, and a cover sheet for absorbing odors. The litter box system also includes an additional floor card for use during the cleaning process, which includes installation of the additional floor card, a clean cover sheet, and a filter bag. The litter box system is inverted, depositing the litter into the filter bag for filtering litter through apertures in the filter bag, while retaining animal waste within the filter bag for disposal. Each of the boxes is substantially identical having an opening for passage of animal waste into the litter box system. A flange surrounds the opening for helping to retain the litter within the litter box system during use by an animal. The cover sheet may be coated with a protective material, such as wax, for substantially preventing the passage of liquid animal waste therethrough.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly with means to absorb energy transmitted by the steering column upon collapse, including a deformable U-shaped wire clip engaged around a pair of pins. A skid member adjoins the clip and is coupled to the steering column so that, upon collapse of the steering column, the skid member is urged in a direction to deform the wire clip by drawing it over the pins. The clip and skid member are accommodated in a fixed mounting bracket for the steering column.

Abstract: A rake and reach adjustable steering column is secured in its desired location by means of a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a cam on camming surfaces on which rollers held in a body freely run. A bolt extends from the cam and roller arrangement through a mounting bracket for the steering column and through a member fixed to the steering column. The body is rotatable by a handle which, through the cam and roller arrangement, causes thrust washers and other parts to release and clamp the steering column in position.

Abstract: A vehicle crash energy absorbing mechanism incorporated in a steering column structure mountable to a breakaway mounting, the structure including an inner steering shaft which is drivably coupled by a splined arrangement to an outer shaft. The inner shaft has an energy absorption member in the form of a tube which surrounds a pin which is mounted diametrically through the inner shaft. A crash induced force on the column structure causes the outer shaft to be forced relatively towards the tube, thereby inducing an interaction between the pin and tube, the latter being deformed thereby to achieve the requisite energy absorption. In an alternative embodiment, the splined outer shaft itself acts as the absorption energy member, the pin deforming the splined arrangement.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle incorporating a powered facility to adjust it in a vertical plane. A prime mover is pivotally connected to part of the steering column, the prime mover reciprocating an arm pivotably linked to one end of a bell crank lever, the other end being pivotably linked to the steering column part and an intermediate portion of the lever being able to pivot about a fixed part of the vehicle.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for locking an axially adjustable vehicle steering column. The locking mechanism comprising a steering column structure slidably attached to a break away mounting, the steering column structure being axially moveable relative to the mounting and a wedging blade for locking the steering column structure to the mounting by a wedging action in response to an actuating cable.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column incorporates a device to allow manual reach adjustment of the steering column. Actuating means is provided to pull the steering wheel away from the driver in the event of an impact of the vehicle. Two legs, slidably connected to the steering column and one of the legs connected to a pulling cable of the actuating means, each have along one edge ramps and along the opposite edges have serrated portions. One leg is inverted relative to the other so that they mate with the ramps of one leg nesting in valleys defined by the ramps of the other leg. A shear element normally secures the legs. The legs are located by two guide rails in a serrated block assembly with its serrations lying closely adjacent but normally clear of leg serrations. Upon vehicle impact, the cable is pulled and one leg tries to separate from the other leg, the shear element breaks and the serrations on the legs lock into the serrations of the serrated block assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column with means for adjusting the reach of a steering wheel in an axial direction relative to the column includes a coupling between a steering column shaft and a steering column tubular portion, the shaft and tubular portion being relatively slidable. The coupling incorporates a resilient member to provide preloaded torque resistance to inhibit transmission of rotational backlash through the steering column and the shaft and tubular portion are of non-circular section and the resilient member is of non-uniform thickness. In the unstressed state, a sleeve of the resilient member for surrounding the shaft is angularly offset and is twisted into alignment by the non-circular shaft upon assembly of the coupling to provide the torque resistance.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column is decoupled in the event of a frontal impact of the vehicle to prevent frontal crash forces from reaching the upper steering column. A releasable coupling interconnects upper and lower portions of the steering column and includes a clamping arrangement normally to clamp the two portions together. The clamping arrangement is released upon forcible shifting of the lower portion towards the upper portion.

Abstract: A coupling member for taking up torque in a vehicle steering column to absorb vibration and vehicle body misalignment, the coupling member including a plastics disc with a pair of diametrically opposed bosses which protrude further from one face of the disc than from the other face, and another pair of diametrically opposed bosses which protrude further from the other face of the disc than from its one face.The disc is able to distort upon application of torque through the bosses by means of a cut-out portion between each adjacent boss. A fail-safe deflection plate can be provided on each face of the disc to react against opposed pairs of bosses in the event of high application of torque. An adaptor piece holding one end of a steering column is fitted to one face of the disc and a splined flange is secured to the other face of the disc to enable the coupling member to be secured to another steering column component.

Abstract: A steering column for a vehicle and a method of making same, wherein the steering column is made from a tube which has a sleeve passed over a length of it in the region where the steering column is to be engaged by a steering lock mechanism, in order for there to be sufficient thickness in that region to accommodate a lock slot of the steering lock mechanism.In order to achieve substantially the same overall outer diameter along the major length of the steering column, the sleeve is secured to the tube, for example, by welding and the sleeve and underlying tube are crushed by swaging or a die forming machine so that the outer diameter of the sleeve becomes substantially the same as that of the tube beyond the sleeve.