Abstract: An adjustable motor vehicle steering column having a stationary mast jacket, a tilt-housing supported on the stationary mast jacket for up and down pivotal movement, a steering wheel rotatably supported on the tilt-housing, a friction clamp for infinite tilt adjustment, and a wedge lock to prevent upward pivotal movement of the tilt-housing in the event the friction clamp is overpowered. The wedge lock includes an arc-shaped land on the tilt-housing, a locking ring having an eccentric outer edge rotatably supported on the stationary mast jacket concentric with the arc-shaped land, and a torsion spring biasing the locking ring toward engagement of the eccentric outer edge thereof on the arc-shaped land. If the friction clamp is overpowered, the arc-shaped land effects rotation of the locking ring to a wedged position against the land at the onset of pivotal movement of the tilt-housing in which further pivotal movement of the tilt-housing is foreclosed.

Abstract: An intermediate steering shaft for a motor vehicle steering system including a polygonal tubular shaft, a polygonal solid shaft telescopically slidably disposed in the tubular shaft, and a twist lock for clamping a side of the solid shaft against a side of the tubular shaft to eliminate angular lash between the solid and tubular shafts. The twist lock includes a sleeve rotatably supported on the tubular shaft, a window in the tubular shaft, a plug in the window having an end bearing against a side of the solid shaft, a cantilever spring on the plug, and an actuator on the sleeve. In an open position of the twist lock, the actuator is remote from the cantilever spring and the solid and tubular shafts are freely telescopically slidable relative to each other. The sleeve is rotatable to effect a closed position of the twist lock in which the actuator flexes the cantilever spring to bias the end of the plug against the solid shaft and, consequently, a side of the solid shaft against a side of the tubular shaft.

Abstract: A position control apparatus for an adjustable motor vehicle steering column including a clamp having a first jaw element and a second jaw element shiftable axially relative to each other, a control lever pivotable through an angular stroke in opening and closing directions, a primary cam means for converting pivotal movement of the control lever in the closing direction to a uniform axial stroke of the first jaw element relative to the second jaw element, and a secondary cam means for converting pivotal movement of the control lever in the opening direction to a snap-action axial stroke of the first jaw element relative to the second jaw element at a terminal end of the angular stroke of the control lever in the opening direction.

Abstract: An intermediate steering shaft assembly for a motor vehicle includes a "counter phased" Cardan joint in the assembly. The "counter phased" Cardan joint includes forming an outer yoke of the Cardan joint with a yoke portion and a separate yoke shaft portion. The yoke portion is connected by a bearing spider to an inner "phased" yoke of the Cardan joint mounted on an end of an intermediate steering shaft and has a center position corresponding to a center position of the intermediate shaft. A connection is formed on the yoke shaft portion so that the latter is mounted on a steering shaft with a unique center position corresponding to the center position of the steering shaft. A splined bore is formed on the yoke portion and a splined end is formed on the yoke shaft portion so that the yoke shaft portion is connectable to the yoke portion in any of a plurality of relative angular positions.

Abstract: A motor vehicle interlock device (10) has an actuating assembly (11) connected by a push-pull control cable (13) to a dead bolt throw assembly (12). The dead bolt throw assembly (13) has a dead bolt (60) which is engageable with a lock engaging lug (20) of a transmission, operating range, drive selector. A plunger (30) is biased by a first compression spring (39) into abutting engagement with the lever arm (15) of a foot-operated brake such that when the foot-operated brake pedal is applied, the plunger (30) is urged toward the lever arm (15) The first end (46) of the core (48) in a push-pull control cable (13) is attached to the plunger (30), and the second end (73) of the core (48) is attached, by a lost motion connector (75), to a dead bolt (60). As such, when the plunger (30) follows the lever arm (15) the push-pull control cable (13) translates the dead bolt (60) out of engagement with the lock engaging lug (20), thereby freeing the transmission, operating range, drive selector.

Abstract: A collapsible, energy absorbing steering column having a tilt-adjustable steering wheel thereon includes a blocking member on the tilt-housing supporting the steering wheel which moves from a non-blocking position to a blocking position at the onset of energy absorbing collapse. In the blocking position, the blocking member prevents actuating movement of the tilt-adjust release lever so that the tilt-adjusted position of the steering wheel is captured throughout the energy absorbing event.

Abstract: A floor mounted transmission shift lever is connected to the steering column backdrive and locking mechanism. A separate linkage is connected between the steering column backdrive and the transmission shift control mechanism.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement for a motor vehicle steering assembly that includes a steering shaft having an insulator sleeve mounted thereon. A pair of conductor rings are supported by the insulator sleeve and are adapted to be electrically connected to an occupant restraint cushion and to rotate with the steering shaft. Each of the conductor rings is formed with an annular track in the periphery thereof and both conductor rings cooperate with a pair of contact members fixed to the steering column member so as to provide current to the conductor rings upon operation of a sensor for actuating an occupant restraint cushion.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement for a motor vehicle steering assembly that includes a steering shaft having an insulator member mounted thereon. A pair of conductor rings are supported by the insulator member and are adapted to be electrically connected to an occupant restraint cushion and to rotate with the steering shaft. The conductor rings cooperate with a pair of contact members fixed with the steering column member so as to provide current to the conductor rings upon operation of a sensor for actuating an occupant restraint cushion.

Abstract: A column-mounted shift control arrangement for use with a shift tube and associated shift bowl having an "angular throw" such that REVERSE, FIRST and THIRD ratio positions are in the same circumferential location, and including (1) pivotable, spring-loaded locking means operatively connected between the shift tube and the gear sector on the lock cylinder to prevent the latter from being rotated to OFF LOCK until the shift tube is moved axially downwardly to REVERSE, and (2) interference means formed on the toothed rack associated with the gear sector to prevent the shift bowl from being rotated while in REVERSE.