Abstract: A computer implemented method of processing a financial transaction executed by first person includes determining an automatic savings amount from the financial transaction by rounding up the amount of the financial transaction to the nearest dollar. The method further includes debiting the calculated savings amount from an account of the first person and crediting the savings amount to an account of a second person.

Abstract: Vehicle steering column ride down apparatus to guide the direction of steering column collapse in the event of vehicle crash includes a first part for fixedly mounting to a support such as a cross car beam and a second part for coupling to a steering column assembly. At least one of the parts has one or more tracks to act as guides and the other part has structure that runs in the one or more tracks. The apparatus also includes a tightener to tighten the two parts, one upon the other, to provide a predetermined frictional resistance at least to initial relative break-away movement of the two parts in the event of vehicle crash. Each track may be constituted by at least one slot. Coated plates can be clamped between flanges of the parts, which are each in the form of brackets to provide further initial frictional resistance to the initial relative break-away movement of the two parts.

Abstract: Vehicle steering column ride down apparatus to guide the direction of steering column collapse in the event of vehicle crash includes a first part for fixedly mounting to a support such as a cross car beam and a second part for coupling to a steering column assembly. At least one of the parts is tracked to act as a guidance and the other part has first means to run in the or each track and there being second means to tighten the two parts, one upon the other, to provide a predetermined frictional resistance at least to initial relative break-away movement of the two parts in the event of vehicle crash. The or each track may be constituted by at least one slot. Coated plates can be clamped between flanges of the parts, which are each in the form of brackets to provide further initial frictional resistance to the initial relative break-away movement of the two parts.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column for a vehicle includes an energy absorption device in the form of a wire bent into a U-shape with a member attached to an outer tube of the column engaging the base of the “U” of the wire. The free arms of the wire are contained within two apertures of a steering column adjustment block, in which the outer tube is mounted, with the base of the wire lying outside of apertures of the block. Upon vehicle crash, the outer tube moves and the member presses on the base of the wire to draw the arms of the wire out of the two apertures and into a third aperture intermediate of the two. The wire is given different cross sectional profiles to meet specified energy absorption criteria.

Abstract: In a snap connection system in which a shaft is inserted into a tube to a predetermined position, where co-operating surfaces on tube and shaft engage as in a laterally acting wedge. Two axially spaced spring loaded balls on one side of the tube urge the shaft into wedging engagement with the tube when in the pre-determined position. During insertion, a further spring loaded ball on the opposite side of the tube adjacent the wedge apex urges the shaft out of wedging engagement with the tube. A detent in the shaft accommodates this further ball at the predetermined position, locating the shaft axially and permitting wedging. The balls are biased by a spring sleeve and a tang thereon locates the sleeve on the tube. The tang may extend to the tube interior to coact with a detent in the shaft so that unclipping is necessary for disassembly. Alternatively, a spring loaded pin extending through sleeve and tube wall may accomplish the same end.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle steering column clamping mechanism for a rake and reach adjustable steering column includes a steering column support bracket which has two flanks extending on either side of a steering column outer tube, each flank incorporating a slot to permit rake adjustment. A reach adjustment bracket has two flanks which extend on either side of the tube and lie adjacent the flanks of the bracket, the flanks also having slots extending parallel to the tube axis for reach adjustment. The flanks are spaced from the tube so as to accept heads of clamping bolts operated by a handle acting on associated clamping parts mounted on the bolts. The arrangement enables the bolts to be located on a substantially on-center line passing at right angles through the axis of the steering column.

Abstract: A shaft coupling includes a shaft with a circumferential groove near one end, a shaft receiving member and a resiliently loaded shaft retention member in the shaft receiving member. The shaft retention member is fitted about a clamping bolt with one end of the spring engaging in the groove of the shaft. The shaft can be a vehicle steering column shaft and the shaft receiving member can be a yoke of a universal joint.