Abstract: A double acting hydraulic actuator in an active vehicle suspension control is connected to the sprung mass through a bushing allowing limited movement therebetween. A piston in a bore within the upper housing of the actuator forms a control chamber with and outlet orifice. The piston has a finger engaging the sprung mass and thus being driven downward with a sharp upward road disturbance that causes compression of the bushing. The increase of pressure in the control chamber due to the flow limiting of the orifice activates a valve which opens the activating chambers of the actuator to each other while the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure. Thus the hydraulic actuator is quickly unloaded to absorb sudden road disturbances and prevents them from being transmitted directly through the incompressible fluid of the actuator to the sprung mass before the main suspension control can react.

Abstract: A collapsible steering shaft assembly incorporating a slide with deforming balls that roll tracks in telescopic shaft members so that the shafts are positively interconnected in a rotational sense and which roll in said tracks to permit relative sliding of said shaft on application of low axial load.

Abstract: A floor mounted transmission shift lever is connected to the steering column backdrive and locking mechanism. A separate linkage is connected between the steering column backdrive and the transmission shift control mechanism.

Abstract: A transmission shift control mechanism has a pivotally mounted shift lever and bracket on which is pivotally mounted a lock pawl. A lock lever is pivotally mounted on the same axis as the shift lever and bracket and has an abutment surface thereon which is maintained in contact with a cam surface on the lock pawl. The shift lever and bracket and the lock lever are operatively connected by a spring. The lock lever is connected to the vehicle steering column by a cable mechanism such that the lock lever is maintained stationary when the steering column is locked whereupon pivotal movement of the shift lever and bracket results in relative movement between the lock pawl and abutment surface causing engagement between the lock pawl and the stationary latch member whereby further pivoting of the shift lever and bracket is prevented.

Abstract: A manual shift control mechanism for a transmission has two drive transmitting cables which are connected to the steering column lock mechanism and the transmission control mechanism, respectively. The cables are interconnected by a pin which is connected through a leaf type spring to the manual shift lever. When the steering column lock mechanism is in the "Lock" mode, the cable attached thereto cannot move so that movement of the shift lever results in flexing of the spring and the pin and transmission cable does not move. Thus, when the steering column lock mechanism is in the "Lock" mode, the transmission control mechanism cannot be moved from the "Park" mode. When the steering column lock mechanism is in an operating mode other than "Lock", movement of the manual shift lever is transmitted to the transmission cable through the spring and pin to effect shifting of the transmission control.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint has tangentially arranged axial groove pairs which receive drive balls which are maintained coplanar by a cage.

Abstract: A multiple switch assembly mounted on a steering column has an actuator for operating a direction signal switch, a headlamp dimmer switch and washer/wiper switches, each operated by a selective movement of a common actuator lever.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the outlet pressure of a pump which supplies two systems. The valve permits flow through a first regulating portion to the primary system at a pressure equal to the secondary system pressure requirement. The secondary system preferably includes an accumulator and has an upper pressure requirement which is attained when the accumulator is filled. A second regulating portion of the control valve responds to secondary system pressure to permit bypassing of the first regulating portion when the secondary systems upper pressure requirement is satisfied. The second regulating portion closes when the lower limit is reached to permit refilling of the accumulator.