Abstract: An automatic regulator valve assembly is provided to vary fluid flow to a power steering gear in response to steering gear hydraulic pressure in order to provide optimum road feel, as well as optimum power assist throughout the range of vehicle operating conditions. The valve assembly divides the fluid flow between the steering gear and a bypass line that directs any excess fluid back to the fluid reservoir. A flow control valve in the valve assembly supplies the fluid to the steering gear, and a shuttle valve working in concert with the flow control valve serves to bypass the excess fluid. The flow control valve supplies fluid to the steering gear according to the demands of the gear itself. During low speed, high demand operation, operator steering inputs are large, requiring maximum fluid flow for optimum power assist. As vehicle speed increases and demand decreases, steering inputs decrease proportionally. As steering inputs decrease, fluid flow requirements also decrease.

Abstract: In an electrically controlled shift actuator (110, 120, 130) and a control system (140) therefor of the type utilizing a cam or scotch yoke flywheel adapted to move a shift member (28, 96) to a preselected one of at least two spaced-apart shift positions. In one embodiment the shift member is in a preloaded condition provided by coiled spring (84) associated with the actuator. The control system employs a circuit having a control switch (100), a first switch (108), and a second switch (112) interconnectable in such a manner that a cam (70) responsive to the rotational position of the motor is able to change the condition of the first and second switching in a prescribed manner to move the shift member. The control system preferably includes energy dissipating resistor (120) for dynamically braking the motor and speed indicator (124) when the actuator is used as a shift actuator for a vehicle.

Abstract: A shift actuator (10, 100, 200) for selectively shifting a shift member (12, 102) to one of at least two selectable operating positions is provided. The actuator includes a rotational member such as a cam (36) or scotch yoke flywheel (204) rotatably driven by a unidirectional rotational motor (26) to one of two or more selectable rotational positions, each of which rotational positions is effective to cause a single compression spring (56, 166) to urge an engagement member (64 and 66, 108) to axially move the shift member to one of the at least two selected positions.

Abstract: An adjustable support structure for a motor vehicle steering column. The steering column is attached to a first tube which is telescopically received within a second tube attached to the vehicle frame. A releasable wedge member acts between the two tubes to lock the steering column in any one of an infinite number of positions within a selected adjustment range.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for adjustable mounting a steering column in a vehicle, whereby the column may be telescoped, tilted or both, simultaneously, by unlocking the mechanism with a single handle. The mechanism includes a pair of side frames fixed within the vehicle, and an inner tube fixed to the column and movable between the side frames. When the handle is turned to lock the mechanism, the clamping portion of the mechanism draws the slide adjusters toward the inner tube, forcing the generally heart-shaped slides toward the inner tube and biasing them away from the longitudinal axis of the mechanism. This movement of the slides forces the pin connecting each opposite pair of slides into engagement with both the front frictional surface of the inner tube and with the outer surface of the slot within which the particular pin travels, thereby trapping and frictionally holding the inner tube relative to the side frames.