Abstract: An inflation valve includes a main valve body having an outlet port, a rupture port, and a pull cord retainer. A puncture retainer body secures a puncture disc within the main valve body to seal the outlet port to gas flow. A slot in the puncture retaining body permits gas flow to the outlet port. A puncture pin received within the puncture retaining body includes a center bore permitting gas flow to the outlet port. A rupture disc breaks under high pressure conditions to permit pressurized gas to exit the rupture port. The rupture disc and puncture disc are interchangeable. A release assembly associated with the pull cord retainer permits manual release of the puncture pin. A vacuum washer is sealed between a vacuum retainer and the pull cord retainer to prevent gas from exiting the pull cord retainer when the inflation valve is activated under vacuum.

Abstract: A multiplex signal system for use with a vehicle steering column assembly includes a steering wheel electronic module mounted to a steering wheel and a column electronic module mounted remotely from the steering wheel. The steering wheel electronic module includes a resistive switch network and a voltage controlled oscillator to transform activation by an operator of one or more steering wheel mounted controls, such as audio volume controls, into an oscillating signal having a frequency representative of the particular control that was activated. This oscillating signal is provided to the column electronic module, which utilizes an electronic processing device to determine which of the steering wheel mounted controls has been activated. Once this is determined, the electronic control module operates the electrical or electromechanical device, such as an audio system, that corresponds to the activated steering wheel mounted control.

Abstract: An inflation valve includes a main valve body having an outlet port, a rupture port, and a pull cord retainer. A puncture retainer body secures a puncture disc within the main valve body to seal the outlet port to gas flow. A slot in the puncture retaining body permits gas flow to the outlet port. A puncture pin received within the puncture retaining body includes a center bore permitting gas flow to the outlet port. A rupture disc breaks under high pressure conditions to permit pressurized gas to exit the rupture port. The rupture disc and puncture disc are interchangeable. A release assembly associated with the pull cord retainer permits manual release of the puncture pin. A vacuum washer is sealed between a vacuum retainer and the pull cord retainer to prevent gas from exiting the pull cord retainer when the inflation valve is activated under vacuum.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle is adjustable in both rake and telescope directions and then locked in a convenient setting by a driver. The locking mechanism for the telescope and rake adjust is motor actuated in response to activation of a toggle switch. The motor can be proximate or remote from the locking mechanism and the steering column assembly. A transmission operates on a rotating cam principal which alternately cycles a clamp of the locking mechanism between locked and unlocked conditions. A drive shaft extends between the motor and the locking mechanism and can be either rigid or flexible. Locking the steering column assembly in an adjusted position can be accomplished either by compressing a capsule bracket against a compression bracket, or via interlocking engagement of pawls with corresponding teeth in respective slots in the capsule and compression brackets.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly for a vehicle. The steering column assembly includes a bracket mountable to a vehicle. The bracket includes a pair of sides defining a channel. The steering column assembly also includes a jacket moveably positioned in the channel. The steering column assembly also includes a bolt assembly having a bolt passing through both of the bracket and the jacket. The bolt assembly is operable to urge the sides of the channel together against the jacket. The steering column assembly also includes a first rolling element pierced by the bolt assembly. The first rolling element is operably disposed between the jacket and the bracket to enhance relative movement between the jacket and the bracket.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a column assembly for releasably locking and unlocking a steering column of a vehicle. The assembly includes a steering column rotatable about a central axis for imparting a direction to the vehicle and a lock bolt moveable from an unlocked position to a locked position to lock the steering column against rotation. When in the locked position, the steering column is prevented from rotating which imparts a load to the lock bolt. A lock bolt drive is connected to the lock bolt to move the lock bolt from the locked position to the unlocked position. However, the load acting on the lock bolt prevents the lock bolt drive from being able to move the lock bolt from the locked position to the unlocked position. Therefore, a release mechanism is operative to reduce the load on the lock bolt sufficiently to enable the lock bolt drive to move the lock bolt from the locked position to the unlocked position.