Abstract: A tilt and telescope steering column is disclosed in which a single control member operates the lock and release of a tilt lock mechanism and a telescope lock mechanism. Both lock mechanisms include pivotally mounted pawls having teeth which interfit with teeth on an associated housing assembly to lock the column in its adjusted position. The pawls are movable in opposite directions from their respective locked positions to release positions in which adjustment of the steering column is permitted. A control member is mounted for movement in two directions and operates in one direction to release one lock system and in the opposite direction to release the other lock system. Spring means normally maintain the locking pawls in their locked position and also maintain the control member in its neutral position. In one embodiment, a single spring functions to normally maintain both lock mechanisms in their locked position and also normally maintains the control member in its neutral position.

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 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.