Abstract: A power tilt, telescoping and internally collapsible steering column assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a main housing, a telescope housing, and a tilt head. The telescope housing and tilt head are driven by a pair of torsionally rigid axially flexible cables extending generally along the steering column. The cable is adapted by its axial flexibility to axially flex to accommodate the collapse of the telescope housing with respect to the main housing.

Abstract: An ignition key mounted on the steering column of a motor vehicle turns a gear wheel as the key is rotated among multiple positions. The gear wheel continually meshes with a steering column lock actuator assembly and moves the assembly according to the position of the ignition key and gear wheel. The actuator assembly defines a cam surface, which causes a pawl to pivot when the ignition key is moved to a lock position and permits the pawl to return to an unlocked state when the ignition key is moved from the lock position. The gear shift mechanism includes a tube pivotably supporting a gear shift lever at one end and a control selector lever at its opposite end. A plunger, in continual contact with the gear selector lever and control lever, is resiliently biased by a spring toward a position that brings the control lever into contact with detent surfaces on an insert. The tube defines a slot, aligned axially with a recess formed on the plunger, displaceably mounted within the tube.