Abstract: An adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, having a console unit which is vehicle-fixed or articulated to the vehicle, a steering shaft bearing unit which is arranged in the console unit and is axially displaceable relative to the console unit, and a mechanism mounted to the console unit and provided for adjusting and fixing in place the axial length of the steering column. This mechanism, when in an open condition, enables an axial relative displacement between the console unit and the steering shaft bearing unit, and, when in a locked condition, it axially fixes the steering shaft bearing unit in place at the console unit. The steering column further has an energy absorbing unit which, in the locked condition of the mechanism for adjusting the axial length of the steering column, allows an axial displacement of the steering shaft bearing unit relative to the console unit, accompanied by an absorption of energy, the energy absorbing unit being mounted to the console unit.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly includes a fixed rack secured to a first portion and a moving rack secured to a second portion, which are releasably engaged by a clamp mechanism to permit relative movement therebetween. The fixed rack comprises two rows of teeth spaced apart from one another and extending towards. The moving rack also comprises two rows of teeth which extend away from each other. A clamp engaging means moves the moving rack into and out of engagement with the fixed rack. The teeth on the two racks are offset relative to one another. The mechanism is further arranged so that when if a tooth on tooth event occurs the fixed rack interacts with the moving rack to cause the moving rack to move sideways to permit the teeth to become inter-engaged when the mechanism finally reaches the locked position.

Abstract: The assembly comprises: a hollow lower guide portion 7 a hollow upper shroud portion 10, which fits at least partially within the guide portion and extends away from the guide portion a telescopic steering shaft 1, 2 having at least an upper part 2 and a lower part 1, the upper part co-operating with the lower part and the two parts extending through the guide portion and the upper shroud portion a lower axial bearing 16, which is supported in a seat in the guide portion and provides axial location for the lower steering shaft part an upper axial bearing 17, which is supported in a seat in the upper shroud portion and provides axial location for the upper steering shaft part and in which the guide portion has at least one arcuate guide wall, which co-operates with a complimentary arcuate guide wall of the upper shroud to define a contact surface along which the upper shroud portion is adapted to slide relative to the guide portion in the event of an accident.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises an upper shroud portion (8) which is adapted to receive a steering column (1, 2), a lower guide portion (7) which is adapted to support the shroud portion (8) and be secured to a mounting bracket (14) fixed relative to the chassis of the vehicle, a connecting pin (13) which projects through an elongate opening provided in the fixed bracket (14), an opening in the lower guide portion (7) and an elongate opening in the upper shroud portion (8), a toothed rail member (19) which is connected to the upper-shroud portion by an energy absorbing device (22), and an operating lever (17) which is operatively connected to the connecting pin (13).