Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly includes a bracket, the bracket having a front portion and a back portion, the front portion comprising a pair of spaced arms, each arm having an inner surface that opposes the inner surface of the other and an opposed outer surface; a steering column having a longitudinal axis and comprising an inner jacket that is slidably disposed within an inner surface of the outer jacket, an outer surface of the outer jacket located within the inner surface of the spaced arms; and a locking device that passes through and is coupled to the spaced arms and the outer jacket, the locking device movable to lock or unlock the slidable disposition of the inner jacket within the outer jacket by respective application or release of a predetermined clamping force to the outer surface of the arm, outer bracket and inner bracket.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a first jacket defining a first bore and a second jacket defining a second bore aligned with the first bore prior to collapse of the first jacket and the second jacket. A jacket connector extends through the bores to interconnect the first jacket and the second jacket. The jacket connector includes a pre-determined shear resistance, above which the jacket connector is sheared to permit telescopic movement between the first jacket and the second jacket. Accordingly, in response to an axial load greater than the pre-determined shear resistance of the jacket connector being applied to one of the first jacket and the second jacket, the jacket connector shears, permitting the telescopic movement. The jacket connector includes a pin defining a pin bore. The pin bore defines a cross sectional area, with the pre-determined shear resistance depending upon the cross sectional area of the pin bore.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly having a steering column extending between a pivot end and a steering wheel supporting end. The steering wheel supporting end is operable to engage a steering wheel. The steering column is moveable along a collapse path in response to an impacting force acting on the steering wheel supporting end. The steering column includes a cam-follower surface in fixed relation to the steering wheel supporting end. The steering column assembly also includes a cam surface spaced from the steering column and slidably engaging the cam-follower surface. The cam surface and the cam-follower surface cooperate during movement of the steering column along the collapse path to guide the steering column in rotation upwardly about the pivot end.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly having a repositionable steering column and a break-away lever arm. The lever arm has a first mounting interface and an adjustment assembly member operably coupled with the steering column has a second mounting interface. Engagement of the first and second mounting interfaces mounts the lever arm on the adjustment assembly member. Movement of the lever arm rotates the adjustment assembly member to facilitate the repositioning of the steering column. Applying a breakaway force exceeding a threshold value to the lever arm disengages the mounted lever arm from the adjustment assembly member by relative translational movement between the first and second mounting interfaces. Some embodiments employ a threaded fastener installed to a predetermined torque to bias the first and second mounting interfaces into engagement. The threaded fastener can be installed such that it may be non-frangibly disengaged by displacement through the open end of a slot.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly includes a mounting bracket configured for mounting to a vehicle, the bracket having a front portion and a back portion, the front portion comprising a pair of spaced arms, each arm having an inner surface that opposes the inner surface of the other and an opposed outer surface. The assembly also includes a steering column having a longitudinal axis and comprising an inner jacket that is slidably disposed within the outer jacket between the spaced arms. The assembly further includes a locking device that passes through the spaced arms and the outer jacket, the locking device movable to lock or unlock the slidable disposition of the inner jacket within the outer jacket. Still further, the assembly includes an energy absorbing device comprising an energy absorbing strap that is fixed to the inner jacket at a first portion thereof and slidably disposed within the outer jacket.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle having an outer jacket and an inner jacket slideably disposed within the outer jacket along a longitudinal axis for telescoping movement. A pivot pin is coupled to the outer jacket and defines a pin axis. A pawl is disposed about the pivot pin and is rotatable about the pin axis between and engaged position engaging the inner jacket for preventing the telescoping movement and a disengaged position disengaging the inner jacket for allowing the telescoping movement. An actuator is mounted to the pivot pin for concurrent rotation with the pivot pin about the pin axis and is coupled to the pawl for moving the pawl between the engaged and disengaged positions in an opposing rotational direction from the concurrent rotation of the pivot pin and the actuator.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly having a steering column extending between a pivot end and a steering wheel supporting end. The steering wheel supporting end is operable to engage a steering wheel. The steering column is moveable along a collapse path in response to an impacting force acting on the steering wheel supporting end. The steering column includes a cam-follower surface in fixed relation to the steering wheel supporting end. The steering column assembly also includes a cam surface spaced from the steering column and slidably engaging the cam-follower surface. The cam surface and the cam-follower surface cooperate during movement of the steering column along the collapse path to guide the steering column in rotation upwardly about the pivot end.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly having a steering column extending between a pivot end and a steering wheel supporting end. The steering wheel supporting end is operable to engage a steering wheel. The steering column is moveable along a collapse path in response to an impacting force acting on the steering wheel supporting end. The steering column includes a cam-follower surface in fixed relation to the steering wheel supporting end. The steering column assembly also includes a cam surface spaced from the steering column and slidably engaging the cam-follower surface. The cam surface and the cam-follower surface cooperate during movement of the steering column along the collapse path to guide the steering column in rotation upwardly about the pivot end.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly includes a bracket, the bracket having a front portion and a back portion, the front portion comprising a pair of spaced arms, each arm having an inner surface that opposes the inner surface of the other and an opposed outer surface; a steering column having a longitudinal axis and comprising an inner jacket that is slidably disposed within an inner surface of the outer jacket, an outer surface of the outer jacket located within the inner surface of the spaced arms; and a locking device that passes through and is coupled to the spaced arms and the outer jacket, the locking device movable to lock or unlock the slidable disposition of the inner jacket within the outer jacket by respective application or release of a predetermined clamping force to the outer surface of the arm, outer bracket and inner bracket.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly includes a mounting bracket configured for mounting to a vehicle, the bracket having a front portion and a back portion, the front portion comprising a pair of spaced arms, each arm having an inner surface that opposes the inner surface of the other and an opposed outer surface. The assembly also includes a steering column having a longitudinal axis and comprising an inner jacket that is slidably disposed within the outer jacket between the spaced arms. The assembly further includes a locking device that passes through the spaced arms and the outer jacket, the locking device movable to lock or unlock the slidable disposition of the inner jacket within the outer jacket. Still further, the assembly includes an energy absorbing device comprising an energy absorbing strap that is fixed to the inner jacket at a first portion thereof and slidably disposed within the outer jacket.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly for a vehicle. The steering column assembly includes a steering column operable to adjustably support a steering wheel in the vehicle. The steering column assembly also includes a locking bracket adjacent to the steering column and moveable along a path for collapsing movement. The steering column assembly also includes a locking member supported in two-way movement by the locking bracket between a first position and a second position spaced from one another. In the first position, the locking member locks the locking bracket and the steering column member together. When the locking member is in the second position, the steering column member is moveable relative to the locking bracket. The steering column assembly also includes at least one quick release bolt engaged with the locking bracket to selectively fix the locking bracket with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly having an outer jacket and an inner jacket slidably disposed in the outer jacket for telescoping movement is disclosed. The assembly includes a locking device having a pivot pin coupled to the outer jacket and defining a pin axis. A pawl is coupled to the pivot pin and a lever having a cam surface is coupled to the pawl. The pawl rotates about the pin axis between an engaged position engaging the inner jacket and a disengaged position disengaging the inner jacket for preventing and allowing the telescoping movement, respectively. An extension is movable between a first position engaging a first portion of the cam surface and a second position engaging a second portion of the cam surface for moving the lever away from the inner jacket and causing the pawl to rotate about the pin axis to disengage the pawl from the inner jacket.

Abstract: A support mechanism for a collapsible steering column assembly having a rake adjustment is provided. The steering column assembly includes a mounting bracket and a column jacket pivotably attached to the mounting bracket for rotation about a rake axis. The support mechanism includes a rod pivotably coupled to the column jacket and a clamp pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket and interconnecting the rod and the mounting bracket. The clamp permits movement of the rod therethrough during collapse of the steering column assembly in only one direction, and is offset from the rake axis. Accordingly, the clamp prevents backward movement of the rod therethrough, thereby preventing rotation of the column jacket about the rake axis post collapse of the steering column assembly to support the column jacket in an elevated position.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a first jacket defining a first bore and a second jacket defining a second bore aligned with the first bore prior to collapse of the first jacket and the second jacket. A jacket connector extends through the bores to interconnect the first jacket and the second jacket. The jacket connector includes a pre-determined shear resistance, above which the jacket connector is sheared to permit telescopic movement between the first jacket and the second jacket. Accordingly, in response to an axial load greater than the pre-determined shear resistance of the jacket connector being applied to one of the first jacket and the second jacket, the jacket connector shears, permitting the telescopic movement. The jacket connector includes a pin defining a pin bore. The pin bore defines a cross sectional area, with the pre-determined shear resistance depending upon the cross sectional area of the pin bore.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a longitudinal lock mechanism having a locked position for preventing longitudinal movement and an unlocked position for permitting longitudinal movement, and a tilt lock mechanism having an engaged position for preventing tilting movement and a disengaged position for permitting tilting movement. A lock select mechanism is coupled to the tilt lock mechanism and the longitudinal lock mechanism to engage the tilt lock mechanism and simultaneously unlock the longitudinal lock mechanism. Similarly, the lock select mechanism disengages the tilt lock mechanism and simultaneously locks the longitudinal lock mechanism. The steering column assembly further includes a drive mechanism operatively connected to the lock select mechanism.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle includes a steering shaft, a support bracket rotatably receiving the steering shaft for rotatably supporting the steering shaft on the motor vehicle, and an anti-rotation device. The anti-rotation device is supported by the support bracket and is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the anti-rotation device prevents rotation of the steering shaft relative to the support bracket. The anti-rotation device may be moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position to allow rotation of the steering shaft relative to the support bracket. Prior to assembly of the steering column assembly to the motor vehicle, the anti-rotation device may be moved to the engaged position to lock the steering column in a common rotational position. After assembly, the anti-rotation device may be moved to the disengaged position to allow rotation of the steering shaft.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly having a repositionable steering column and a break-away lever arm. The lever arm has a first mounting interface and an adjustment assembly member operably coupled with the steering column has a second mounting interface. Engagement of the first and second mounting interfaces mounts the lever arm on the adjustment assembly member. Movement of the lever arm rotates the adjustment assembly member to facilitate the repositioning of the steering column. Applying a breakaway force exceeding a threshold value to the lever arm disengages the mounted lever arm from the adjustment assembly member by relative translational movement between the first and second mounting interfaces. Some embodiments employ a threaded fastener installed to a predetermined torque to bias the first and second mounting interfaces into engagement. The threaded fastener can be installed such that it may be non-frangibly disengaged by displacement through the open end of a slot.

Abstract: A rotating cable device preferably for use in a steering column assembly couples a drive member to a driven member of the assembly for rotation and without any lost motion or release of unwanted absorbed energy, which could potentially create inefficiencies in operation and undesirable noise. A rigid sheath of the device extends along a non-linear centerline and a resilient tube preferably extends through the sheath. A flexible cable of the device extends through the tube and couples between the members for rotation. The cable device enables versatility in the arrangement and orientation of the drive and driven members in a variety of different steering column and transmission shift mount applications for vehicles.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle having an outerjacket and an inner jacket slideably disposed within the outer jacket along a longitudinal axis for telescoping movement. A pivot pin is coupled to the outerjacket and defines a pin axis. A pawl is disposed about the pivot pin and is rotatable about the pin axis between and engaged position engaging the innerjacket for preventing the telescoping movement and a disengaged position disengaging the inner jacket for allowing the telescoping movement. An actuator is mounted to the pivot pin for concurrent rotation with the pivot pin about the pin axis and is coupled to the pawl for moving the pawl between the engaged and disengaged positions in an opposing rotational direction from the concurrent rotation of the pivot pin and the actuator.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly having an outer jacket and an inner jacket slidably disposed in the outer jacket for telescoping movement is disclosed. The assembly includes a locking device having a pivot pin coupled to the outer jacket and defining a pin axis. A pawl is coupled to the pivot pin and a lever having a cam surface is coupled to the pawl. The pawl rotates about the pin axis between an engaged position engaging the inner jacket and a disengaged position disengaging the inner jacket for preventing and allowing the telescoping movement, respectively. An extension is movable between a first position engaging a first portion of the cam surface and a second position engaging a second portion of the cam surface for moving the lever away from the inner jacket and causing the pawl to rotate about the pin axis to disengage the pawl from the inner jacket.