Abstract: A steering column assembly that includes an upper jacket and a gear shift assembly. The upper jacket extends along a steering column axis. The gear shift assembly includes a shift assembly bracket and shift shaft assembly. The shift assembly bracket has a column mounting portion that is operatively connected to the upper jacket and a cradle portion extends from the column mounting portion. The cradle portion has a first sidewall and a second sidewall each extending from a base. The shift shaft assembly extends at least partially through the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Abstract: A shift gate assembly includes a detent plate having a shift gate pattern. The shift gate pattern is provided with a first detent, a second detent, and a plurality of intermediate sides that extend between the first detent and the second detent. A side of the first detent that faces towards another side of the second detent is disposed in a non-parallel relationship with another side of the second detent.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a vehicle shift mechanism is provided and includes a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion. The mounting assembly also includes a column clamping structure of the stationary portion surrounding a portion of the moveable portion of the steering column. The mounting assembly further includes a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column at a first coupling position located on a first side of the column clamping structure and at a second coupling position located on a second side of the column clamping structure. The mounting assembly yet further includes a stationary portion aperture defined by the stationary portion of the steering column, the stationary portion aperture extending from the second side of the column clamping structure in a longitudinal direction of the steering column, the second coupling position located within the stationary portion aperture.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for a vehicle shift mechanism includes a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion. The clamp assembly also includes a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column and slidably engaged with the stationary portion of the steering column. The clamp assembly further includes a primary rake lever configured to translationally adjust the moveable portion of the steering column. The clamp assembly yet further includes a secondary rake lever operatively coupled to the primary rake lever and operative to exert a clamping force on a portion of the shifter during translational adjustment of the moveable portion.

Abstract: An electronic release linkage assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a stationary portion of a steering column. Also included is a module mounting bracket of an electronic release module coupled to the stationary portion of the steering column. Further included is a cam bracket assembly coupled to a steering column mounting bracket, the cam bracket assembly configured to selectively apply a clamping force on the steering column upon receipt of input from the electronic release module, the cam bracket assembly comprising a lever arm rotatable about a cam axis. Yet further included is a link member coupled at a first link member end to the release module with a gear pin extending from the electronic release module, the link member coupled at a second link member end to the lever arm, the link member transferring an input from the release module to drive rotation of the lever arm.

Abstract: An electronic release linkage assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a stationary portion of a steering column. Also included is a module mounting bracket of an electronic release module, the module mounting bracket coupled to the stationary portion. Further included is a cam bracket assembly operatively coupled to a steering column mounting bracket, the cam bracket assembly configured to selectively apply a clamping force on the steering column upon receipt of input from the electronic release module, the cam bracket assembly comprising a lever arm rotatable about a cam axis. Yet further included is a link member that is collapsible and operatively coupled at a first link member end to the electronic release module and at a second link member end to the lever arm, the collapsible link member configured to collapse in response to a load imparted by the cam bracket assembly in excess of a predetermined load.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for a vehicle shift mechanism includes a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion. The clamp assembly also includes a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column and slidably engaged with the stationary portion of the steering column. The clamp assembly further includes a primary rake lever configured to translationally adjust the moveable portion of the steering column. The clamp assembly yet further includes a secondary rake lever operatively coupled to the primary rake lever and operative to exert a clamping force on a portion of the shifter during translational adjustment of the moveable portion.

Abstract: A shift control device for an automatic transmission comprises a shift control member configured for manipulation by an operator to control a shift mechanism of a vehicle transmission, and an artificial feel mechanism coupled to the shift control member for providing tactile feedback. The artificial feel mechanism comprises a sensor, a controller, and a piezoelectric element. The sensor is configured for detecting a position of the shift mechanism and sending a signal that is indicative of the position. The controller is configured for receiving the signal, determining a control voltage, and providing the control voltage to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is configured and arranged so as to receive the control voltage and to apply a mechanical force that depends upon the control voltage and that is configured and applied so as to mechanically resist movement of the shift control member relative to the shift control bracket.

Abstract: A park shift assist mechanism of a shift lever assembly for a vehicle is provided. The park shift assist mechanism includes a pressing portion configured to apply a pressing force and a follower configured to cause rotation of a gear shift lever from a reverse position to a park position when the gear shift lever is positioned between the reverse position and the park position in response to the pressing force being applied to the follower.

Abstract: A shift control device for an automatic transmission comprises a shift control member configured for manipulation by an operator to control a shift mechanism of a vehicle transmission, and an artificial feel mechanism coupled to the shift control member for providing tactile feedback. The artificial feel mechanism comprises a sensor, a controller, and a piezoelectric element. The sensor is configured for detecting a position of the shift mechanism and sending a signal that is indicative of the position. The controller is configured for receiving the signal, determining a control voltage, and providing the control voltage to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is configured and arranged so as to receive the control voltage and to apply a mechanical force that depends upon the control voltage and that is configured and applied so as to mechanically resist movement of the shift control member relative to the shift control bracket.

Abstract: A park shift assist mechanism of a shift lever assembly for a vehicle is provided. The park shift assist mechanism includes a pressing portion configured to apply a pressing force and a follower configured to cause rotation of a gear shift lever from a reverse position to a park position when the gear shift lever is positioned between the reverse position and the park position in response to the pressing force being applied to the follower.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a steering column assembly is provided. The steering column assembly includes a steering column, a mounting bracket, an actuator rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket, the actuator rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a detection assembly configured to detect when the actuator is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a vehicle shift mechanism is provided and includes a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion. The mounting assembly also includes a column clamping structure of the stationary portion surrounding a portion of the moveable portion of the steering column. The mounting assembly further includes a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column at a first coupling position located on a first side of the column clamping structure and at a second coupling position located on a second side of the column clamping structure. The mounting assembly yet further includes a stationary portion aperture defined by the stationary portion of the steering column, the stationary portion aperture extending from the second side of the column clamping structure in a longitudinal direction of the steering column, the second coupling position located within the stationary portion aperture.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a steering column assembly is provided. The steering column assembly includes a steering column, a mounting bracket, an actuator rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket, the actuator rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a detection assembly configured to detect when the actuator is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A shift control device for an automatic transmission comprises a referee shift control bracket mounted to a vehicle and an actuated shift control bracket that is actuated relatively to the referee shift control bracket. The referee shift control bracket cooperates with the actuated shift control bracket to define a path of travel of the actuated shift control bracket relative to the referee shift control bracket. The actuated shift control bracket is coupled, through a shift linkage system, to the automatic transmission such that a movement of the actuated shift control bracket along the path of travel to a first position corresponds to actuation of the automatic transmission into a first gear position. The referee shift control bracket cooperating with the actuated shift control bracket to define at least one detent positioned along said path of travel, said at least one detent corresponding to the first gear position.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for a vehicle shift mechanism includes a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion. The clamp assembly also includes a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column and slidably engaged with the stationary portion of the steering column. The clamp assembly further includes a primary rake lever configured to translationally adjust the moveable portion of the steering column. The clamp assembly yet further includes a secondary rake lever operatively coupled to the primary rake lever and operative to exert a clamping force on a portion of the shifter during translational adjustment of the moveable portion.

Abstract: A glide system for a vehicle shift mechanism includes a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion in telescoping engagement with the stationary portion. Also included is a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column and slidably engaged with the stationary portion of the steering column. Further included is a de-lashing element engaged with a sliding member of the shifter.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column for a vehicle and a bushing for the adjustable steering column are provided. The adjustable steering column includes a column jacket having a lower jacket extending along a first axis and an upper jacket telescopically coupled to and extending with the lower jacket. The lower and upper shafts are configured to selectively move telescopically relative to one another for telescope adjustment of the steering column. The adjustable steering column also includes a bushing positioned between the lower jacket and the upper jacket, the bushing including a support portion extending along a length between the lower jacket and upper jacket, the support portion including a first seating area, and a roller portion positioned in the first seating area, the roller portion configured to engage at least one of an outer surface of the lower jacket and an inner surface of the upper jacket.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column for a vehicle and a bushing for the adjustable steering column are provided. The adjustable steering column includes a column jacket having a lower jacket extending along a first axis and an upper jacket telescopically coupled to and extending with the lower jacket. The lower and upper shafts are configured to selectively move telescopically relative to one another for telescope adjustment of the steering column. The adjustable steering column also includes a bushing positioned between the lower jacket and the upper jacket, the bushing including a support portion extending along a length between the lower jacket and upper jacket, the support portion including a first seating area, and a roller portion positioned in the first seating area, the roller portion configured to engage at least one of an outer surface of the lower jacket and an inner surface of the upper jacket.

Abstract: A shift control device for an automatic transmission comprises a shift control member configured for manipulation by an operator to control a shift mechanism of a vehicle transmission, and an artificial feel mechanism coupled to the shift control member for providing tactile feedback. The artificial feel mechanism comprises a sensor, a controller, and a piezoelectric element. The sensor is configured for detecting a position of the shift mechanism and sending a signal that is indicative of the position. The controller is configured for receiving the signal, determining a control voltage, and providing the control voltage to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is configured and arranged so as to receive the control voltage and to apply a mechanical force that depends upon the control voltage and that is configured and applied so as to mechanically resist movement of the shift control member relative to the shift control bracket.