Abstract: A steering column assembly of a vehicle has a rocker-arm lock device for locking an adjustable steering housing and co-extending steering shaft to a stationary bracket or chassis. For driver convenience and comfort, the steering housing and shaft are together adjustable with respect to the bracket. The rocker-arm lock device has a slot in at least one of the housing and bracket and a carrier for longitudinal movement through the slot that is substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis of the steering shaft. An indexing apparatus of the device has first and second indexing rails carried by at least one of the housing and the bracket having the first slot and a carriage engaged rigidly to the carrier. A rocker arm of the apparatus is supported pivotally to the carriage about a rocker axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the carrier.

Abstract: A position control apparatus for a motor vehicle steering column includes an outer bracket, an inner bracket moveable relative to the outer bracket, and a jacket mounted to the inner bracket for telescoping movement along a longitudinal axis and for tilting movement. A first rack is mounted to the inner bracket and extends along the longitudinal axis. A first pinion is rotatable along the first rack during telescoping movement. A second rack is mounted to the outer bracket and extends angularly relative to the longitudinal axis. A second pinion is rotatable along the second rack during tilting movement. The first pinion has a first locking surface and the second pinion has a second locking surface. The first locking surface and the second locking surface may be engaged with each other to prevent telescoping and tilting movement or may be disengaged from each other to allow telescoping and tilting movement.

Abstract: A steering column assembly of a vehicle has a rocker-arm lock device for locking an adjustable steering housing and co-extending steering shaft to a stationary bracket or chassis. For driver convenience and comfort, the steering housing and shaft are together adjustable with respect to the bracket. The rocker-arm lock device has a slot in at least one of the housing and bracket and a carrier for longitudinal movement through the slot that is substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis of the steering shaft. An indexing apparatus of the device has first and second indexing rails carried by at least one of the housing and the bracket having the first slot and a carriage engaged rigidly to the carrier. A rocker arm of the apparatus is supported pivotally to the carriage about a rocker axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the carrier.

Abstract: A position control apparatus for a motor vehicle steering column includes an outer bracket, an inner bracket moveable relative to the outer bracket, and a jacket mounted to the inner bracket for telescoping movement along a longitudinal axis and for tilting movement. A first rack is mounted to the inner bracket and extends along the longitudinal axis. A first pinion is rotatable along the first rack during telescoping movement. A second rack is mounted to the outer bracket and extends angularly relative to the longitudinal axis. A second pinion is rotatable along the second rack during tilting movement. The first pinion has a first locking surface and the second pinion has a second locking surface. The first locking surface and the second locking surface may be engaged with each other to prevent telescoping and tilting movement or may be disengaged from each other to allow telescoping and tilting movement.

Abstract: A steering assembly has a yoke and an axially compliant intermediate shaft having an elastomeric coupling fitted concentrically to the yoke for rotation about an axis. Preferably, a rigid sleeve of the shaft has a cylindrical portion that fixes concentrically to an end portion of a shaft element that extends longitudinally along the axis. Two diametrically opposite tabs of the sleeve project radially outward from the cylindrical portion. A resiliently flexible isolator is preferably molded to the sleeve and circumferentially covers the tabs and the cylindrical portion. The isolator preferably has two diametrically opposite ears located circumferentially between two diametrically opposite cover segments that substantially cover the tabs. The tabs generally prevent rotation of the shaft with respect to the yoke in case of isolator failure due to the excessive torque. Each ear preferably has a lobe that projects axially beyond the sleeve for enhancing axial compliancy of the intermediate shaft.

Abstract: A shaft assembly with recirculating ball roller joint unit for use with an automotive steering column or the like has an inner shaft extending lengthwise within an outer shaft. A recirculating ball joint is provided between the shafts. The ball joint includes a shell assembly having two shells which together surround the inner shaft. Each shell has an outer cage, an inner cage and a retainer defining ball races, with balls recirculating in the races in rolling engagement with the inner shaft.

Abstract: A shaft assembly with recirculating ball roller joint unit for use with an automotive steering column or the like has an inner shaft extending lengthwise within an outer shaft. A recirculating ball joint is provided between the shafts. The ball joint includes a shell assembly having two shells which together surround the inner shaft. Each shell has an outer cage, an inner cage and a retainer defining ball races, with balls recirculating in the races in rolling engagement with the inner shaft.

Abstract: An intermediate steering shaft including a tubular shaft element, a solid shaft element telescoped into the tubular shaft element, a pair of universal couplings for connecting the tubular and solid elements to respective ones of a steering shaft and a steering gear input shaft, and a torsionally elastic coupling between the solid shaft element and the corresponding one of the universal couplings. The torsionally elastic coupling includes a torsion sleeve on the solid shaft element, a bushing cavity around the torsion sleeve in a yoke of the universal coupling, and an elastomeric bushing on the torsion sleeve interference fitted in the bushing cavity. A pair of long radial lugs on the torsion sleeve are disposed in respective ones of a pair of notches in the universal coupling yoke with separation therebetween. The elastomeric bushing is relatively soft for maximum torsional vibration isolation at high vehicle speed.

Abstract: An intermediate steering shaft including a tubular shaft element, a solid shaft element telescoped into the tubular shaft element, a pair of universal couplings for connecting the tubular and solid elements to respective ones of a steering shaft and a steering gear input shaft, and a torsionally elastic coupling between the solid shaft element and the corresponding one of the universal couplings. The torsionally elastic coupling includes a torsion sleeve on the solid shaft element, a bushing cavity around the torsion sleeve in a yoke of the universal coupling, and an elastomeric bushing on the torsion sleeve interference fitted in the bushing cavity. A pair of long radial lugs on the torsion sleeve are disposed in respective ones of a pair of notches in the universal coupling yoke with separation therebetween. The elastomeric bushing is relatively soft for maximum torsional vibration isolation at high vehicle speed.