Abstract: In a steering column, a mechanism for adjusting its length and inclination relative to the vehicle body, the steering column consisting of a steering column casing or housing, interconnecting first and second steering column tubes, the first tube being displaceable and the second pivotable relative to the housing, the second steering column tube end cooperating with the housing and having a hub limitably rotatable in a seat in the housing about an axle located perpendicular to the tube and adapted to be arrested in different angular positions by a locking mechanism, an angularly adjustable coupling interconnecting the steering gear post and the steering axle extending through the first and second steering column tubes in the housing, a common control for releasing or locking both adjustments of the steering column, a piston axially displaceable and/or pivotably supported in the housing, and biased to a position wherein it locks the first steering column tube against actual displacement and causes the blocking

Abstract: A drive system for slides and x-y stages in microscopes and similar instruments having the possibilities of both fine control and rapid displacement of the slides over larger distances. The drive system comprises a friction wheel and a friction track provided between the slide and the stationary slide guide. A friction wheel together with an actuation knob are solidly fixed on a common shaft and this common shaft is displaceable against a spring force so that the friction wheel is out of contact with the friction track. A brake shoe is provided for each shaft and a clamping element is provided for each brake shoe. The shafts are supported in ball bearings. The brake shoes are closed plastic rings and the clamping elements press uniformly by their U-legs and from diametrically opposite sides against the plastic rings in the braking position, the direction of the force passing through the center axis of the coaxial shafts.

Abstract: A control button assembly for positioning an operating rod to "lock" and "unlock" a vehicle door lock includes a sleeve member and a button member. The button member has a hollow stem portion for threading onto an upper end region of the operating rod. The sleeve member is a tubular part that surrounds the stem of the button member. The sleeve member is mountable on a window sill of a vehicle door structure, with portions of the sleeve member extending through a sill opening to surround the threaded upper end region of the operating rod. The sleeve member has a plurality of integrally formed, resilient fingers that depend from the sill as they extend alongside the stem of the button. The fingers have inwardly turned tip portions that frictionally grip outer surface portions of the stem. The frictional grip of the fingers on the stem acts as a detent to assist in holding the button in its lowermost or "locked" position.

Abstract: A vertical movement and fixture device to be used for, for instance, a dental tomograph for photographing entire jaw including a vertical support having a vertical groove inside, a block base which is slidably fit in the groove and is fixed to a slider and a means for fixing and releasing the block base at any desired position in the groove, the means for fixing and releasing the base block comprising a horizontal shaft, a pair of links each one end of which is swingably connected to one end of the horizontal shaft respectively, a pair of brake shoes which are respectively secured to the other ends of the links, and an operation member which supports and vertically moves the other end of the horizontal shaft. According to the device, the block base can be firmly fixed to and released from the support simply by applying slight control force and the cost of the device is low since its construction is entirely mechanical.

Abstract: An adjustable steering wheel apparatus with a hydraulic steering control unit (3) mounted on a bracket (9) or adjustment in the axial direction of the steering column (3) and also about the horizontal axis of aligned pins (14, 15). A locking means including links (21, 22), friction washers (27) and a clamping bolt (24) are provided to releasably secure the steering assembly (1, 2, 3, 4) in its adjusted position. A single manually operated lever (32) is operable to lock and release the locking means.

Abstract: A sailboat steering assembly is provided which has a hiking stick that assumes fixed positions in use, but smoothly responds to any changes induced by manual manipulation of the helmsman. Typical swinging and flopping of the unattended hiking stick are eliminated.

Abstract: A fluid-powered actuator assembly 10 for gate valves 13 having a slab gate 21 with a port 22 adapted to be placed in registry with the flow passage through the valve wherein the valve is moved to open position by application of fluid pressure to the actuator piston 18 and moved to closed position by a piston return spring 33 when the pressure is removed. The assembly includes an auxiliary energy storage device 40 in the form of a coiled spring 41 which is compressed in the initial stages of the actuator stroke to open the valve 13 and is maintained in the compressed energized state by a releasable latch mechanism 52 which latches to the auxiliary spring housing 42. When the actuator 12 operates to close the valve, the auxiliary coiled spring 41 is released near the end of the valve-closing stroke to provide additional axial thrust to the actuator shaft 17 and the valve gate 21 of a magnitude sufficient to shear wire lines 25 or other members which have been inserted through the gate port.

Abstract: An adjustment is provided for the friction between a throttle hand grip (12) and the steering arm (10) of an outboard motor. An internal cam surface (32) in knob (15) will press against a corresponding external cam surface (31) on the throttle control handle (19) to allow adjustment of the friction between the throttle control handle (19) and the steering arm tube (17) by rotating the knob (15).

Abstract: An impact drive sprinkler is provided from a relatively small number of easily assembled components which can be formed predominantly from lightweight molded plastic or the like. The sprinkler includes a unitary sprinkler body having a lower riser tube rotatably supported within a one-piece bearing sleeve adapted for connection to a water supply riser or the like, wherein the lower riser tube is joined to an upper range tube through which an irrigation water stream is projected. An oscillatory impact drive arm and a spring are snap-fit mounted with a controlled spring preload onto the sprinkler body for spring-loaded rotation of the drive arm toward a position with a deflector spoon unit thereon interrupting the projected water stream.

Abstract: The single lever control for operating the clutch and throttle of a marine motor has a support on which a sleeve is mounted on a pivot. A rod is mounted in the sleeve for axial movement. The distal end of the rod is actuated to move the rod and the sleeve about the pivot and also to move the rod axially relative to said sleeve. An actuating arm and a cam track cooperate to move the rod and sleeve in an arc about the pivot between first and second positions between which the clutch is operated by an operator actuated by rotation of the arm about its pivot. The actuating arm moves the rod axially relative to said sleeve when the arm is beyond the clutch operating range. The rod is connected to the throttle. A friction device acts on the rod to resist axial movement of the rod relative to the sleeve. The friction load resists change of the throttle setting but has no affect on clutch operation.

Abstract: The invention provides, for conventional electric trolling motors, a steering arm which allows positive and convenient steering from positions spaced a substantial distance from the motor, can be adjusted to allow steering by one who is standing in the boat being powered by the trolling motor, and is foldable to a stowed position while still mounted on the trolling motor.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism, particularly for a potentiometer, comprises a mounting frame defining an interior space. An elongate rotary shaft traverses that space. A lever arm is secured to the shaft and extends radially away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft within the space defined by the mounting frame. The mounting frame has two substantially parallel surfaces that confront the lever arm, and respective friction assemblies are interposed between the lever arm and those two surfaces respectively. Each friction assembly comprises a body of friction material engaging one of the two parallel surfaces, and a compression spring that urges the body of friction material against that surface. The body of friction material and the spring are maintained captive between the lever arm and the surface of the frame that is engaged by the body of friction material.

Abstract: A change speed operating apparatus for a tractor comprises an oil hydraulic stepless change speed device, a change speed pedal for operating the device, a change speed operating mechanism for connecting both of the device and the pedal, a neutral return mechanism for urging the change speed operating mechanism into a neutral position, a speed setting mechanism and permissible means for permitting an independent movement of the change speed operating mechanism in a direction of acceleration to forward traveling.

Abstract: A housing for the operative elements of a locking mechanism in a seat adjusting device of the type which includes a rod slidably received within a plurality of lockwashers canted about a fulcrum into locking engagement with the rod. A two-part self securing plastic housing is provided. Each part of the housing provides a cavity enclosing about one-half of the locking mechanism with the rod extending through circular apertures formed by semi-circular bosses at each end of each housing member.

Abstract: A speed change operating device for a bicycle which includes first and second operating levers each having a boss and a control portion and supported rotatably at both sides of a base member. Between the opposite inside surfaces of the operating portions of the levers are provided enlarged portions projecting inwardly with respect to both lateral sides of the base member.

Abstract: Engine barring devices are connected to engines. Known barring devices have been used to rotate crankshafts of engines and adding features to these known devices increases the complexity and cost of such devices. The subject barring device includes a shaft adapted for both axial and rotational movement. A gear is attached to one end of the shaft and is moved axially in a first direction to a first position where a holding device holds the shaft in the first position. In the first position the gear is engaged driving with a flywheel connected to the crankshaft of the engine. A tool engaging portion located on the shaft is adapted to engage with a turning tool. With the shaft in the first position, the turning tool can be used to rotate the crankshaft of the engine. A locking device is included to hold the crankshaft in one of the plurality of rotational positions.

Abstract: A band selector switch comprises a rotor having click teeth on its outer circumferential surface, a sleeve rotatably fitted in the rotor and composed of a plurality of axial resilient pieces separated by axial slits defined in the sleeve, the resilient pieces having click grooves defined in inner peripheral surfaces thereof for engaging the click teeth, one of the resilient pieces being deformable radially outwardly, and stop surfaces disposed radially outwardly of those resilient pieces disposed on opposite sides of the one deformable resilient piece for preventing the resilient pieces on opposite sides of the deformable resilient piece from being deformed radially outwardly. The click teeth are prevented by the undeformable resilient pieces from entering the latter, thus limiting the range of angular movement of the rotor.

Abstract: An electron microscope stage is manually movable in three orthogonal axial directions and two orthogonal rotational directions by corresponding motion transmission systems. Four of the transmission systems employ telescopic rods and a connecting pin having three resilient independently compressible sections. The pin transmits torques from one rod to the other about their longitudinal axes. One section is resiliently secured to an aperture in the inner rod, the other sections are resiliently secured to mating axial slots in the outer rod to permit relative axial displacement of the rods. The independent resilient compression of each section compensates for wear or differences in dimensions between mating surfaces while maintaining tight resilient torque coupling without backlash between the pin and the rods.

Abstract: A telescoping steering shaft includes a first shaft (16) having a polygonal-shaped bore (18) receiving for reciprocation therein a polygonal-shaped second shaft (12) having a tapered end (13). The polygonal-shaped second shaft (12) has a through axial opening (14) receiving a connecting rod (20) therein, the rod having a nut-shaped end (26) located adjacent the tapered end (13) of the second shaft (12) and the other end (15) being threaded to receive a lever (24) thereon. A collet nut (31) is mounted on the rod (20) adjacent the nut-shaped end (26) and has a plurality of axially extending projections (36) each including at least one surface (37 or 38) disposed parallel to an adjacent surface of the polygonal bore (18) and an interior axially inclined surface (35) disposed adjacent the tapered end (13).

Abstract: A device for locking a slidable member, including a U-shaped bracket having a central section and a pair of legs extending upwardly from each end of the central section, each of the legs having upper and lower apertures, a lockable sliding member slidably mounted in the lower apertures, and a threaded spindle rotatably mounted in the upper apertures. The spindle includes a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, the small diameter portion having a central threaded section for threaded engagement with one of the upper apertures and unthreaded end portions, the large diameter portion having a knob at its exterior end. The device further includes a yoke mounted on the spindle adjacent the large diameter portion, the yoke having a pair of camming posts extending outwardly therefrom perpendicular to the axis of the threaded spindle, and a U-shaped cam follower member situated between the legs of the U-shaped bracket.

Abstract: A braking device for arresting an axial relative movement between a bearing, and a shaft slidably engaging the bearing and extending through a cylinder which is axially immovable to the bearing. The device comprises: an annular piston slidably received in the cylinder and slidably engaging the shaft; a brake shoe engaging the shaft axially immovably relative to the cylinder and radially contractible to apply a brake to the shaft; a resilient radial clamp member engaging the outer surface of the brake shoe, axially compressible by axial movement of the annular piston and thereby reduced in inside diameter to force the brake shoe against the surface of the shaft; and a piston driving device for moving the shaft along its axis through a controlled selective supply of a pressurized fluid to the cylinder. The piston driving device may comprise a coil spring to bias the piston to cause an axial compression of the radial clamp member, and a device for effecting the controlled supply of the fluid.

Abstract: There is disclosed a door position monitoring assembly for a security door installation wherein the assembly can be adjusted and preset from the exterior of the assembly. In this regard, the monitoring assembly includes a base member with switching means carried by the base member and capable of being operated to attain a first condition and a second condition, each of which conditions can be detected by suitable circuit means. A control arm produces operation of the switching means and has one end thereof coupled for movement with said door and the other end piotally mounted to the base member.

Abstract: A shifting mechanism for the hydrostatic transmission of an earth moving machine comprising a shift lever manually operable by the machine operator to effect the speed and direction of movement of the vehicle. The shift lever is coupled to a hydraulically-actuated friction stop mechanism for maintaining the shift lever in a predetermined position by means of a fluid coupling which may be readily disconnected by the vehicle operator to adjust the positioning of the shift lever free from any frictional forces holding the shift lever in the prior position. A release system is provided wherein upon application of the vehicle brakes, the frictional force holding the shift lever in the predetermined position is released and the shift lever automatically returned to a neutral or idle position thereby disengaging the vehicle transmission.

Abstract: A portable electric router conventional in its overall structure is disclosed which includes a locking system comprising a locking pin located in the motor housing and adapted to move in a direction perpendicular to and into locking engagement with the guide bar, and a locking lever pivotally disposed adjacent a grip of the motor housing and operative to axially move the locking pin. The locking lever is adapted to pivot toward the grip to thereby press the locking pin against the guide bar.

Abstract: A device for positioning loads such as computer terminals or parts thereof has a pair of plates which are adjusted with respect to one another with an eccentric on a shaft between the plates which is rotated by a handle disposed outside the space between them. According to the invention, a friction brake is provided between the plates and engages the shaft to prevent undesired rotation which may vary the adjusted position.

Abstract: An automotive seat adjusting device which includes a rod slidably received within a plurality of lockwashers counted into locking engagement with the rod. The operative elements of the locking mechanism are enclosed within a housing and a hollow tubular steel fulcrum is supported by a pin projecting out of the housing and fixed to the seat frame.

Abstract: A device for stepwise adjustment of the relative positions of two mutually displaceable members (10, 11) comprises a gear rack (13) formed in one (10) of said members, a pin gear (14) with two pin teeth (15) which is mounted for rotation and limited transversal displacement thereof in the other member (11), and means (23) for spring-biasing the pin gear (14) towards a locking position in which the two pin teeth (15) are located in meshing engagement in adjacent tooth gaps of the gear rack (13). Said spring-biasing means (23) are placed in front of the pin teeth (15), on the opposite side thereof with respect to the gear rack (13), and they include a spring-force applying member (23A) which bears resiliently against both pin teeth (15) when the pin gear (14) is in its locking position.

Abstract: A stretchable tube-like sleeve surrounds and frictionally grips an inner rod or tube. A coil spring surrounds the sleeve in position to resist movement of one end of the sleeve against the spring force. Moving the rod axially relative to the spring in a direction against the spring force on the sleeve decreases the inner diameter of the sleeve to produce a drag on the inner member. Movement of the opposite end of the sleeve is limited by a stop. This causes the sleeve to expand and allows the rod to slip with a constant drag which is determined by the strength of the spring. With the spring force in position to be applied to only one end of the sleeve, movement of the inner member in the opposite direction provides only a minimal drag as determined by the initial frictional interference between the sleeve and the inner member. Positioning the spring to resist movement of either end of the sleeve, provides a constant drag on the inner member with either direction of movement of the rod relative to the sleeve.

Abstract: A torque application assembly is provided comprising an operating shaft having a non-round connection portion. At least one metal washer is connected to the non-round portion of the shaft so as to be rotatable therewith. A resilient spring engages the metal washer, and a barrel nut is provided to apply a compressive force to the spring under a desired compressive force thereby to apply a desired torque to the shaft without applying any substantially longitudinal force to the shaft. At least one low friction material washer is located between the metal washer and a fixed wall whereby the shaft and the metal washer can rotate with a minimum frictional drag with respect to the fixed wall.

Abstract: A steering shaft assembly for automotive vehicles comprises an upper shaft mounted thereon with a steering wheel, a lower shaft rotatably supported in place within a column tube and telescopically connected to the upper shaft in such a manner to permit axial adjustment of the upper shaft, and a lock mechanism for releasably fastening the upper shaft to the lower shaft in its adjusted position, a pair of stopper elements respectively integral with the upper and lower shafts to be abutted against each other when the upper shaft is moved downward over a predetermined stroke, an annular tapered projection integral with one of the shafts, and a single shock absorber element of elastic material in the form of a short sleeve member coupled with the other shaft and located between the stopper elements. The shock absorber element is formed at one end thereof with an annular tapered portion to be resiliently coupled over the annular tapered projection by abutment with the stopper elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shift mechanism in a manual transmission having a detent mechanism which comprises a cylindrical holder provided with an opening at its one end, a detent ball accommodated in the holder at the opening and adapted to contact with one of detent grooves, and a compression spring accommodated in the holder and adapted to bias the detent ball against one of the detent grooves. The opening of the holder is inwardly bent at its circumferential edge to form a ball retaining portion for projecting a part of the detent ball therefrom and retaining the detent ball so as not to come out from the opening.

Abstract: A regulating apparatus for a steering shaft of a steering wheel including an outer shaft rotatably mounted on a casing member, an inner shaft axially slidably mounted within the outer shaft and rotatable for transmitting rotation torque generated by rotation of the steering wheel wherein the steering wheel is mounted on the inner shaft, a locking member axially slidably mounted within the outer shaft and pivotably mounted on the inner shaft for selective engagement with the outer shaft and a control rod operatively connected to the inner shaft and the locking member for rotating the locking member so as to pressingly engage the locking member against the outer shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator including a piston rod having a centering mechanism associated therewith which, upon actuation, will return the piston rod to a predetermined position even against loads and lock it in that position and hold it there even without the presence of hydraulic power. The centering and locking mechanism includes a drive mechanism and cam surfaces on the piston rod which are engaged by drive surfaces on the driving mechanism. The drive and cam surfaces are opposed ramps with one of the ramps on the drive mechanism always disposed opposite one of the ramps on the actuator, such that at any position of the stroke of the actuator piston rod the centering and locking mechanism may be actuated and is operable to return the actuator to the predetermined position and lock it in place. The cam surfaces are infinitely variable as to their position on the piston rod within the limits of the dimensions of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: In the operator's station of many construction vehicles, there is a critical lack of space in which to mount the control levers (12) used to operate the vehicle. The use of mechanical linkages and motion translating devices between the control lever (12) and the actuator has required complicated mechanisms and excessive hardware for the mounting and positioning of the respectively connected components. The mounting apparatus (10) of this invention overcomes these problems by employing a detent mechanism (38) that functions as a rotational positioner between the control lever (12) and an actuating switch (60) assembly as well as an axial positioner used in the mounting of the respective components. The mounting apparatus (10) allows the control lever (12) and the actuating switch (60) to be mounted together for rotation about a single axis (X) to provide a very axially compact mechanism.

Abstract: An improved power take-off lever arrangement for a tractor is disclosed which prevents the inadvertent shifting of the PTO lever from a first to a second position. The lever arrangement includes a support plate secured to the tractor and has a pin extending outward therefrom which engages an oval aperture formed in a manually operated lever. The lever is connected to a control valve for hydraulically engaging a power take-off drive. The control valve is responsive to move to a second position with corresponding movement of the lever and is spring biased to move to a first position with corresponding movement of the lever when the hydraulic pressure falls below a predetermined value. The lever is also spring biased to the first position such that an attachment mechanism formed on both the lever and the pin engages.

Abstract: A power take-off lever arrangement for a tractor is disclosed which prevents the inadvertent shifting of the PTO lever to an engaged position. The lever arrangement includes a support plate secured to the tractor which has a pin extending outward from it which engages in a slot formed in the manually shiftable lever. Secured to the pin is an arcuate sector which has a recess formed in its arcuate surface. A roller, which is attached to the underside of the lever, will engage the recess when the lever is in a disengaged position and will ride on the arcuate surface when the lever is in an engaged position. The lever arrangement further includes a spring which is attached between the lever and the support plate to urge the roller into the recess when the lever is in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A ratchet device is provided and includes a ratchet mechanism mounted in a housing assembly and a work arm protruding therefrom. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet wheel which is secured to the work arm and which is rotatably mounted on an axle and a pawl arm which is mounted at one end in the housing assembly and which is biased to engage canted ratchet teeth on the circumferential surface of the ratchet wheel. A pawl release member selectively moves the pawl arm between one position permitting engagement of its free end with the ratchet teeth and a second position disengaging the free end from the ratchet teeth. A detent is provided to maintain the pawl release member in a selected one of these positions. Preferably, the detent includes a rotatable shaft having a cam which defines the detent and a notch which receives a portion of the pawl arm to define a pawl release. The shaft is preferable oriented parallel to the axis of the axle to define a plane of symmetry.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a telescopic steering wheel which includes a housing, an outer cylinder rotatably supported within the housing, a locking member slidably mounted within the outer cylinder, a steering shaft movably mounted within the outer cylinder, engaged with the locking member and operatively connected to the steering wheel, a locking rod rotatably mounted in the steering shaft and engaged with the locking member for attaining a locked or unlocked position of the locking member, a telescopic lever connected to the locking rod and movable between the locked and unlocked position and a mechanism for continuously urging the telescopic lever into the locked position.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a column part (1) rotatable in a support (7) attached to a bracket (8) which can be secured to a fixed member, a sliding connection e.g. formed by a slot (16) and pin (20) permitting movement along an axis (A) and about a pivot axis (B) perpendicular thereto to permit height and rake adjustment, and a guide e.g. formed by the peripheral edge of an aperture (17) in the slot which is engaged by a follower (31) fixed to the support (7) which defines the limits of the range of relative movement of the column part (1) thereby reducing the risk of interference with adjacent components. The follower (31) forms part of a locking mechanism (21,22,38,43) for fixing the bracket and the support in a desired relative configuration.

Abstract: A power tool has a changeover mechanism for varying at least one operational mode of the power tool. A rotatable control member having a lateral periphery is connected to the changeover mechanism. A detachable cover plate, forming part of the housing of the power tool, has an aperture therein through which the control member protrudes, and the lateral periphery of the control member is covered by the cover plate. A latching arrangement comprises a first latch component formed in said lateral periphery, and a second latch component located on the underside of the cover plate, the first and second latch components cooperating to retain the control member in a selected position, and one of these latch components is resilient. Preferably the second latch component is resilient and may be formed integrally with the cover plate. The cover plate may have two apertures for two control members with a common resilient latch member on the cover plate for both control members.

Abstract: The tightener includes a contoured strip adapted to bear against the chain or belt and be pivotally mounted on a fixed support member. A wedge member slidably mounted on the support member is elastically biased by a spring and urges the contoured strip against the chain or belt. A guide rod extends through a bore in the wedge member and the spring is mounted on the guide rod. A plate slidably mounted on the guide rod between the spring and the wedge member along one of the edges of the plate and thereby create an eccentric force which jams the plate on the guide rod.

Abstract: Disclosed is a click stop device assembled of three elongated securing units in the form of notched bars. The notched bars are disconnectably mounted to the inner circumference of supporting rings which surround an axially displaceable member provided with radially directed engaging balls. The cross section of the member and the corresponding contour of the supporting rings has hexagonal shape to prevent angular displacement.

Abstract: A hand and foot throttle control linkage having independent operation of the throttle by either a hand or foot control. A return spring for the foot pedal is carried on the throttle linkage to return the foot pedal to its retracted position and to reduce the application force during operating of the hand throttle lever.

Abstract: Fluid pressure mechanism for locking a movable rod or similar member in scted positions of adjustment. The mechanism includes a fluid housing having at least one annular rod-gripper element encircling a movable rod. Introduction of fluid pressure into the housing causes the gripper element to expand out of locking engagement with the rod. Removal of the fluid pressure force enables the gripper element to relax into locking engagement with the rod. In a preferred arrangement two rod-gripper elements are employed. The rod passes through the two gripper elements located in opposite side walls of the housing.

Abstract: An adjustable position control lever stop in a control console of a tractor. The control levers operate a draft load sensing system through a three-point hitch between the tractor and the implement. The control levers in the control console include a draft load sensing control lever, and a position control lever which operates with the adjustable position control lever stop.

Abstract: The device for releasably securing stationarily a finely angularly adjusted shaft in an instrument with respect to the body thereof includes a cylindrical flange formed in the body and rotatably supporting the shaft therein and provided with a plurality of cut-out portions arranged circumferentially spaced from each other, a rotatable clamping ring rotatably fitted around the flange and having in its periphery wedge-shaped recesses the arrangement of which corresponds to that of the cut-out portions, and clamping members each received in the respective cut-out portion and wedge-shaped recess aligned therewith so that each clamping member is interposed between the outer surface of the shaft and the respective recess, thereby permitting the shaft to be releasably secured stationarily with respect to the body by rotating the clamping ring in one direction in which each clamping member is urged against the shaft by the wedge-shaped recess, while the shaft is released to freely rotate when the clamping ring is rot

Abstract: An adjustable clutch mechanism is disclosed which may be removably mounted to a shaft to selectively vary the torque required to turn the shaft. The clutch mechanism includes a threaded, flanged bushing which receives a pair of friction washers and a clutch plate located therebetween. A nut, threaded onto the bushing, provides an adjustable force through a spring washer to control the force of the friction washers against the clutch plate. The bushing is removably mounted to a shaft so that it rotates with the shaft while the clutch plate is held stationary. The torque required to rotate the shaft is controlled by adjusting the nut on the threaded end of the bushing.

Abstract: The innermost of two telescoping sub-portions of the steering shaft of an adjustable-length, tiltable steering column is received within the outermost shaft sub-portion, as is a wedge plug which interacts with the innermost sub-portion to wedgingly lock the linkage in adjusted, telescoped position when a threaded actuating rod is turned in one direction. The rod is interlocked with the innermost shaft sub-portion or the wedge plug to prevent relative axial movement between the rod and innermost shaft sub-portion or plug at least when the rod is turned in the other direction.

Abstract: A ball locking mechanism for the releasable locking of a movable part comprises a locking or arresting ball arranged in at least one bore of a stationary or fixed part or component and can be pushed, by means of a slide member, into one of a number of bores of the movable part or element, so that such movable part can be locked in place. For unlocking, the slide member is displaced until a bore thereof comes to lie essentially coaxially with respect to the remaining bores. Then, the ball moves out of the aforementioned one bore of the movable part. The movable part can then be displaced until a further similar bore thereof comes to lie essentially coaxially with respect to the bore of the fixed part. By means of the pressure of a spring, exerted upon the slide member, the ball then is again pushed into this further bore.

Abstract: A telescoping steering column is provided of the type wherein a wedge plug and innermost shaft portion are axially wound relatively to each other by rotation of a threaded rotatable control rod to thereby lock and release the innermost shaft portion relative to another shaft portion. First and second stop means are provided to respectively stop the control rod and the one of the two elements (innermost shaft portion or wedge plug) that is not threaded to the threaded control rod against relative axial movement in our direction and in the opposite direction. The first and second stop means allow a limited axial lost motion between the rotatable control rod and the said one element when the direction of the rotatable control rod is reversed so as to axially disengage one of the stop means and move the rod axially toward the other by the stop means.