Abstract: An adjustable vehicle steering column is locked to a vehicle chassis by a remote-controlled electrically-operable locking arrangement that is carried by one end of a locking arm the other end of which is pivotally connected with the vehicle chassis. The locking arrangement has a locking axis that is parallel with and spaced a given distance from the pivot axis of the locking arm.

Abstract: An anti-theft locking device for vehicles includes an annular locking sleeve mounted concentrically about and normally in frictional engagement with the vehicle steering shaft. The locking sleeve includes a body portion having a serpentine cross-sectional configuration, thereby defining on the inner periphery of the sleeve a plurality of alternate smooth convex projections and concave valleys. The convex projections are in frictional engagement with the circumferential surface of the steering shaft by a predetermined frictional force that is greater than the rotational torque force produced during normal steering operation of the vehicle. A plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth extend radially outwardly from the locking sleeve, thereby to define between the teeth a plurality of locking slots one of which is arranged to receive the free extremity of the locking arm of a locking device.

Abstract: A steering column comprises a steering shaft rotatably mounted in a body-tube which is disposed on a lateral upright of a support assembly fixed to the structure of a vehicle by a connecting system. A bearing member is connected to the support assembly by the connecting system acting along the axis and to the body tube by an axial guidance system acting along the steering axis. In normal operation, the axial guidance system is sufficiently tightly clamped for there to be no axial sliding movement between the body-tube and the bearing member. In the event of an impact, there is axial sliding between the body-tube and the bearing member immobilized on the support assembly by the connection system acting along the axis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for clamping a system adjusting the position of a member (30) relative to a support assembly (6). The adjustment system can adjust in height and/or in depth an automobile vehicle steering column body-tube considered as the member. The member is disposed inside two vertical uprights (11, 12) of the support assembly. The clamping axis (5) is perpendicular to the two uprights. The device comprises a bracket (20) consisting of a base (21) and two tie-rods (22, 23) which are connected by a closure and support member (56) on one (12) of the uprights, and an external clamping rod (19) mounted on the base. A locking assembly (40), an intermediate member bearing on the upright (11) and disposed between the base (21) and the locking assembly (40), and an axial retention assembly (47) for the locking assembly that is adjusted to obtain clamped and unclamped positions, are mounted on the external clamping rod (19).

Abstract: A steering column comprises a steering shaft rotatably mounted in a body-tube which is disposed on a lateral upright of a support assembly fixed to the structure of a vehicle by a connecting system. A bearing member is connected to the support assembly by the connecting system acting along the axis and to the body tube by an axial guidance system acting along the steering axis. In normal operation, the axial guidance system is sufficiently tightly clamped for there to be no axial sliding movement between the body-tube and the bearing member. In the event of an impact, there is axial sliding between the body-tube and the bearing member immobilized on the support assembly by the connection system acting along the axis.

Abstract: A system for variable absorption of energy in the direction of the axis of an automobile vehicle steering column includes a steering shaft mounted in a body-tube connected to a mobile support member connected to a fixed support member fastened to the chassis of the vehicle and immobilized thereon up to a particular value. A coil is disposed on each side of the steering shaft and is connected to each of the fixed and mobile support members by a respective connecting pin A pyrotechnic displacement system operates selectively on a mobile retaining rod of each coil to modulate the absorption of energy in the event of an impact.

Abstract: A roller bearing for longitudinal motion includes a sleeve part through which passes a guide rod, a plurality of preferably uniformly distributed race plates each disposed in a respective receptacle formed in either the sleeve part or the guide rod, and a plurality of roller bodies disposed between the race plates and the guide rod. To compensate in a simple way for production variations, a spring mechanism is operatively associated with at least one of the race plates.

Abstract: A system for coupling an inner shaft and an outer shaft which slide one within the other in the direction of a common axis, the system comprising balls disposed between the inner shaft and the outer shaft in axial grooves on the inner shaft and in axial grooves on the outer shaft. Thrust is applied to each row of balls by an axial coil spring which bears in the groove and which applies thrust to two races of the balls which come into contact with the groove.