Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a steering column assembly includes a first end configured to couple to a first component of the steering column assembly and a second end configured to couple to a second component of the steering column. An intermediate portion extends between the first end and the second end. The intermediate portion includes a curved portion having a radius and a leg portion extending between the curved portion and the second end. The leg portion includes a plurality of localized surface features to tune a collapse characteristic of the energy absorbing device and to facilitate maintaining the radius constant when a force moves the first end relative to the second end and deforms the energy absorbing device.

Abstract: A dampener assembly for a lever is provided. The dampener assembly includes a travel limiter that defines a surface for co-acting with the dampener. The lever is configured to move from a locked position to an unlocked position to unlock a component for adjustable movement. The dampener assembly includes also a roller bumper and cam assembly that is configured to cause the surface of the travel limiter to contact the roller bumper in the unlocked position. In an exemplary embodiment, the component is a rake-telescope steering column or an adjustment assembly therefor.

Abstract: A locking device for a steering column is provided. The locking device includes an operating lever configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, an actuating body configured to rotate in response to rotation of the operating lever and a locking cam operably connected to the actuating body and rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to rotation of the actuating body. The locking cam includes an eccentric locking surface having a plurality of locking teeth. A locking segment is positioned adjacent to the locking cam, the locking segment having a plurality of segment teeth formed thereon. A shaft extends along a first axis and the actuating body and locking cam are positioned on the shaft and configured to rotate about the first axis.

Abstract: The invention provides a lever assembly for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly. The lever assembly includes a first lever portion pivotable about a locking axis between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of a steering column assembly and an unlocked position spaced from the locked position. The steering column assembly is moveable in adjusting movement when the first lever portion is in the unlocked position. The lever assembly also includes a second lever portion defining a handle portion and operable to rotate about the locking axis. The lever assembly also includes a lost motion linkage disposed between the first lever portion and the second lever portion. The lost motion linkage is operable to transmit rotation of the second lever portion about the locking axis to pivot the first lever portion between the locked position and the unlocked position.

Abstract: A locking device for a steering column and method of installing the locking device are provided. The locking device includes a spring body configured for installation on a rotatable bolt and comprising a biasing portion. The spring body is rotatable in one direction through a first range and second range. A lock body includes a body portion configured for mounting on the rotatable bolt and a locking portion configured to move between a first position and a second position. The biasing portion of the spring body contacts the lock body and causes the lock body to rotate with the spring body through the first range. The spring body is rotatable relative to the lock body through the second range such that at least a portion of the biasing portion is elastically deflected when the spring body is rotated through the second range.

Abstract: A steering column is configured for positional adjustments in first and second directions and comprises a position lock for selectively resisting movement of the steering column. The position lock comprises a stationary bracket disposed about the steering column. A control shaft is coupled to the steering column, approximately perpendicular to the first and second directions, so as to couple movement of the steering column with translation of the control shaft. Movable lock plates are arranged on the control shaft for rotation about a central axis of the control shaft and for translation with the control shaft. Each of the movable lock-plates is positioned adjacent at least one stationary lock-plate that is retained in a substantially fixed position with respect to the stationary bracket. The one or more stationary lock-plates are configured so as to selectively provide resistance to relative movement of the one or more movable lock-plates.

Abstract: A position lock for a steering column comprises a rake lock bracket, a tooth lock, a driver, and a spring. The rake lock bracket is fixed to the vehicle has a rake lock tooth wall that bounds a control slot and that defines a plurality of rake lock teeth. The tooth lock is coupled to the steering column for movement in a raking direction and supported for rotation about a tooth lock rotation axis. The driver, supported for translation with the tooth lock and for rotation about a driver rotation axis, is configured for contacting an actuation feature of the tooth lock so as to cause the tooth lock to rotate with the driver as the driver rotates within the active range of rotation of the driver. The spring is configured and arranged to apply a biasing moment to cause the tooth lock to rotate in a locking direction.

Abstract: A lock for an adjustable steering column includes a rotatable locking lever to actuate the lock between an unlocked position and locked position, a lock plate including plate lock teeth and a first slot, and a slider including slider lock teeth and a second slot angled relative to the first slot. The slider teeth are received between respective plate lock teeth. A lock bolt rotates with the locking lever and extends through the first and second slots, and has a retainer on one end. A cam positioned on the lock bolt applies or releases a force to the slider in response to rotation of the locking lever to actuate the lock. In the locked position the slider lock teeth lockingly engage between the plate lock teeth, and in the unlocked position, the slider lock teeth are released from locking engagement with and are positioned between the plate lock teeth.

Abstract: An adjustment assembly for allowing or preventing adjustment of a component and an adjustable steering column are provided. A compression bracket is configured to support the steering column, a rake bracket is configured to support the compression bracket and an actuating lever is slidingly coupled to the compression bracket and slidable along a linear travel path. A linkage assembly is connected to the compression bracket and is coupled to one end of the actuating lever and a clamping assembly is coupled to the linkage assembly and configured to release a clamping force from the component upon movement of the actuating lever from a first position to a second position, and apply a clamping force to the component upon movement of the actuating lever from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: An exemplary adjustable steering column comprises a gear positioned and configured to cause a shaft to rotate about its central axis as the steering column telescopes. The position lock further comprises one or more telescoping friction plates arranged and configured so as to rotate with the shaft when the steering column telescopes. The position lock further comprises one or more raking friction plates, each raking friction plate being positioned in frictional contact with at least one of the one or more telescoping friction plates and configured to exhibit a different rotation than the one or more telescoping friction plates when the steering column telescopes. The shaft imposes a compressive load between the one or more telescoping friction plates and the one or more raking friction plates so as to induce friction between the telescoping friction plates and the raking friction plates and thereby resist their relative movement.

Abstract: A rake lock assembly for a steering column assembly includes a component operatively associated with a rake bracket, the component including a trigger element, and a locking cam configured to be disposed within the rake bracket and to rotate about a rotational axis. The locking cam includes a first contact surface configured to interact with the trigger element, and a second contact surface having a plurality of teeth configured to interact with rake teeth. When an impact force acts on the steering column assembly and a rake bolt is shuttled in a first direction, the trigger element is configured to contact the first contact surface and rotate the locking cam about the rotational axis such that the second contact surface plurality of teeth and the rake teeth are disposed in interlocking meshing engagement to facilitate preventing a vehicle steering column from raking movement in a second direction.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an energy absorbing device for a steering column assembly is provided. The device includes a first end configured to couple to a first component of the steering column assembly, a second end configured to couple to a second component of the steering column, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second ends. The intermediate portion includes a curved portion having a radius, and an aperture extending through the intermediate portion. The aperture is configured to shift a collapse characteristic of the energy absorbing device and to facilitate maintaining the radius constant when a force moves the first end relative to the second end and deforms the energy absorbing device.

Abstract: A position lock for an adjustable steering column comprises a plurality of discs stacked for rotation on a control shaft and engaged to a gear profile of a stationary bracket. The discs are engaged to the gear profile so as to be caused to rotate relatively to one another as the steering column undergoes movement in the relevant direction. The discs are configured to resist rotation relative to one another when subjected to a compressive load, and the control shaft is engaged to a cam for selectively applying a compressive load to the discs. A method for selectively controlling motion of a steering column comprises coupling motion of the steering column to the relative movements of a plurality of discs, constraining the discs to rotate relative to one another as the steering column undergoes motion in the relevant direction, and selectively adjusting resistance to relative rotation the discs.

Abstract: An adjustment assembly and adjustable steering column including a linearly slidable actuating lever are provided. The actuating lever is slidable between a first position and a second position along a linear travel path. The actuating lever includes an engaging portion which engages a gear assembly. The gear assembly is connected to a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is configured to apply or release a clamping force on a steering column or other component. Movement of the actuating lever between the first and second positions causes rotation of the gear assembly. Rotation of the gear assembly causes the clamping mechanism to apply or release the clamping force, depending on the direction of rotation. The adjustment assembly also includes a rake bracket to support a compression bracket. The compression bracket supports the component or steering column.

Abstract: A lock for an adjustable steering column includes a rotatable locking lever to actuate the lock between an unlocked position and locked position, a lock plate including plate lock teeth and a first slot, and a slider including slider lock teeth and a second slot angled relative to the first slot. The slider teeth are received between respective plate lock teeth. A lock bolt rotates with the locking lever and extends through the first and second slots, and has a retainer on one end. A cam positioned on the lock bolt applies or releases a force to the slider in response to rotation of the locking lever to actuate the lock. In the locked position the slider lock teeth lockingly engage between the plate lock teeth, and in the unlocked position, the slider lock teeth are released from locking engagement with and are positioned between the plate lock teeth.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a mounting bracket and a column jacket moveable relative to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket defines a rake slot having rake slot teeth and a telescope slot having telescope slot teeth. A shaft extends through the rake slot and the telescope slot transverse to a longitudinal axis of the column jacket. A rake lock having rake lock teeth is disposed within the rake slot and a telescope lock having telescope lock teeth is disposed within the telescope slot. The shaft extends through and rotatably supports the rake lock and the telescope lock. The rake lock and the telescope lock rotate as the rake lock and the telescope lock move into interlocking toothed engagement with the slot teeth to avoid peak-to-peak contact between the lock teeth and the slot teeth, thereby permitting full meshing engagement between the lock teeth and the slot teeth.

Abstract: A lock for a steering column comprises a bracket disposed along a raking direction. A control shaft is supported for translation with the steering column. A tooth lock is disposed on the control shaft and comprises a lever and an actuator. The actuator is configured to cause the lever to rotate in an adjustment direction when a force is applied in the adjustment direction and so as to apply a locking moment to the lever when a force is applied in the locking direction. The bracket has a teeth disposed along the raking direction. The lever is configured for engaging, upon rotation in the locking direction, at least one tooth so as to resist translation in the raking direction. The lever is configured for disengaging, upon rotation in the adjustment direction, from the at least one tooth so as to selectively facilitate translation in the raking direction.

Abstract: A position lock for a steering column comprises a rake lock bracket, a tooth lock, a driver, and a spring. The rake lock bracket is fixed to the vehicle has a rake lock tooth wall that bounds a control slot and that defines a plurality of rake lock teeth. The tooth lock is coupled to the steering column for movement in a raking direction and supported for rotation about a tooth lock rotation axis. The driver, supported for translation with the tooth lock and for rotation about a driver rotation axis, is configured for contacting an actuation feature of the tooth lock so as to cause the tooth lock to rotate with the driver as the driver rotates within the active range of rotation of the driver. The spring is configured and arranged to apply a biasing moment to cause the tooth lock to rotate in a locking direction.

Abstract: A lock for a steering column comprises a bracket disposed along a raking direction. A control shaft is supported for translation with the steering column A tooth lock is disposed on the control shaft and comprises a lever and an actuator. The actuator is configured to cause the lever to rotate in an adjustment direction when a force is applied in the adjustment direction and so as to apply a locking moment to the lever when a force is applied in the locking direction. The bracket has a teeth disposed along the raking direction. The lever is configured for engaging, upon rotation in the locking direction, at least one tooth so as to resist translation in the raking direction. The lever is configured for disengaging, upon rotation in the adjustment direction, from the at least one tooth so as to selectively facilitate translation in the raking direction.

Abstract: A locking device for a steering column and method of installing the locking device are provided. The locking device includes a spring body configured for installation on a rotatable bolt and comprising a biasing portion. The spring body is rotatable in one direction through a first range and second range. A lock body includes a body portion configured for mounting on the rotatable bolt and a locking portion configured to move between a first position and a second position. The biasing portion of the spring body contacts the lock body and causes the lock body to rotate with the spring body through the first range. The spring body is rotatable relative to the lock body through the second range such that at least a portion of the biasing portion is elastically deflected when the spring body is rotated through the second range.