Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket adjustable in at least one of a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis and a tilt direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. A locking mechanism is coupled to the column jacket and is moveable between a locking position and an adjustment position. A lever is pivotably mounted to the column jacket and pivotable between a neutral position and an actuated position. The lever engages a switch when in the actuated position. The switch engages an actuator to move the locking mechanism into the adjustment position when engaged by the lever in the actuated position, thereby permitting adjustment of the column jacket in at least one of the longitudinal direction and the tilt direction. When the lever is in the neutral position, the switch does not engage the actuator, and a spring urges the locking mechanism into the locking position, thereby preventing adjustment.

Abstract: A steering column assembly and method of preventing rotation of a tilt mechanism relative to a steering column during application of a predetermined force is disclosed. The tilt mechanism is coupled to the steering column and includes a tilt head pivotable about a tilt axis with a lever and a moveable shoe pivotally mounted to the tilt head respectively. The moveable shoe pivots between an engaged position for preventing rotation of the tilt head and a disengaged position for allowing rotation of the tilt head. A stopping member is coupled to at least one of the lever and the tilt head for deforming at least one of the tilt and the lever to maintain the moveable shoe in the engaged position and to prevent the tilt head from pivoting about the tilt axis upon a predetermined force applied to the steering column.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket adjustable in at least one of a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis and a tilt direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. A locking mechanism is coupled to the column jacket and is moveable between a locking position and an adjustment position. A lever is pivotably mounted to the column jacket and pivotable between a neutral position and an actuated position. The lever engages a switch when in the actuated position. The switch engages an actuator to move the locking mechanism into the adjustment position when engaged by the lever in the actuated position, thereby permitting adjustment of the column jacket in at least one of the longitudinal direction and the tilt direction. When the lever is in the neutral position, the switch does not engage the actuator, and a spring urges the locking mechanism into the locking position, thereby preventing adjustment.

Abstract: A steering column assembly and method of preventing rotation of a tilt mechanism relative to a steering column during application of a predetermined force is disclosed. The tilt mechanism is coupled to the steering column and includes a tilt head pivotable about a tilt axis with a lever and a moveable shoe pivotally mounted to the tilt head respectively. The moveable shoe pivots between an engaged position for preventing rotation of the tilt head and a disengaged position for allowing rotation of the tilt head. A stopping member is coupled to at least one of the lever and the tilt head for deforming at least one of the tilt and the lever to maintain the moveable shoe in the engaged position and to prevent the tilt head from pivoting about the tilt axis upon a predetermined force applied to the steering column.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power steering gear having a spool shaft connected to a steering wheel, a pinion head connected to a steered wheel, a torsion bar between the spool shaft and the pinion head, a valve for regulating a hydraulic steering assist boost pressure in response to rotation of the spool shaft from an on-center position relative to the pinion head against a restoring force of the torsion bar, and a quiet preload apparatus including a C-shaped spring around the spool shaft having a pair of resilient jaws, a drive pin on the spool shaft clamped with a preload between the resilient jaws, and a cushioned abutment on the pinion head clamped with the preload between the resilient jaws. The cushioned abutment includes a pair of radial cantilever springs which flex upon engagement with corresponding ones of the resilient jaws during forced oscillation of the pinion head back and forth through the on-center relative position of the spool shaft to minimize audible noise associated with such engagements.

Abstract: A vehicle engine throttle and brake hand control mechanism having a hand operated input lever movable in one plane to drive a push-pull cable output member axially to control movements of the engine throttle while permitting unemcumbered actuation of the engine throttle by the accelerator pedal, and movable in another plane perpendicular to the first plane to independently drive a brake actuating push rod to control the vehicle brakes, the input lever also being movable to concurrently control the engine throttle and the vehicle brakes.

Abstract: An asparagus harvester for selectively harvesting asparagus spears of a predetermined height including a mobile frame, severing mechanism mounted on the frame for movement between a raised position and a lowered position, apparatus mounting the severing mechanism on the frame for vertical movement while permitting horizontal movement thereof in any direction as the severing mechanism is being moved vertically, and guide mechanism for guiding the severing mechanism as the severing mechanism is downwardly moved and to follow the contour of the asparagus spear to position the severing mechanism adjacent the base of the spear.