Abstract: A roller drive sprocket system, in which a drive roller mounts sprockets for driving a belt, and having a general cylindrical drive drum, semi-cylindrical grooves formed axially along the surface of the drive drum, sprockets formed of plastic with drive teeth for driving a belt, cylindrical metal keys located in the sprockets, spaced radially, the keys fitting in the semi-cylindrical grooves in the surface of the cylindrical drive drum, portions of the keys extending inwardly to interengage with the semi-cylindrical grooves.

Abstract: An assembly for drivably connecting a shaft to a bore includes a member having a bore, wherein a keyway is included in the bore having a semi-circular cross section. A shaft is provided which is configured to have a non-interference fit in the bore, and a surface of the shaft is formed with a keyway having a rectangular cross-section. A unitary component is provided, and is adapted to connect the shaft to the bore of the member and to allow driving forces to be transmitted between the shaft and the bore. The unitary component includes engagement means formed on an inner surface thereof which enables the component to be coupled to the keyway in the shaft. The unitary component also includes an integral key having a semi-circular outer surface corresponding to and adapted to engage the semi-circular keyway formed in the bore.

Abstract: A friction clutch/flywheel assembly includes a flywheel with a predetermined diametral area designed to hold a preferably cylindrical wall of a basin-shaped clutch housing, so that the clutch housing does not rotate and is also secured against axial movement with respect to the flywheel. The assembly is designed so that there is a clamping device allocated to at least one of the flywheel or the clutch housing, which clamping device is designed to be located in the contact area between the cylindrical wall of the clutch housing and the predetermined diametral area of the flywheel. By means of this clamping device, the flywheel and clutch housing can be held in a non-positive connection with one another.

Abstract: A rotor to rotor coupling providing a connecting rod having longitudinal grooves mating to longitudinal grooves in a rotor end. The mated grooves forming chambers for which pins are received therein. A rotor cap secures the captured pins within the chambers and further strengthens the coupling. An optional thrust bearing assembly is disclosed along with a preferred method of synchronizing the rotors and timing the stators.

Abstract: A shaft 44, 144, 145 is conventionally driveably connected to a bore 46, 146 by a steel key of rectangular cross-section. Where the shaft is of smaller diameter than the bore, a slotted nylon sleeve is fitted between them and a tall steel key extends through the slot. Failure of both standard and tall keys can occur for various reasons. A unitary component 50, 162, 163 of suitable plastics material or non-ferrous metal is therefore proposed. This component essentially includes an integral key 56, 174 of curved cross-section adapted to engage in a mating keyway 176 formed in the bore. Where the shaft 44 and bore 46 are nominally of the same diameter, the component 50 consists also of an integral key 52 of rectangular cross-section adapted to engage in the conventional keyway 48 in the shaft.

Abstract: In a key apparatus having a drive keyway, the drive keyway comprises, a first side wall having a planar inner surface, a second side wall having a planar inner surface, and an end wall having a curvilinear "wave-shaped" inner surface. The first and second side walls are spaced apart, and connected to and extend generally transverse the end wall. The configuration of the drive keyway is very helpful in reducing stress concentration in the gear, and minimizing any motion of the drive key in the axial direction. The present invention is particularly useful in making powdered metal gears for gear pumps, such as hydraulic gear pumps.

Abstract: A cylindrical pin couples a driven member, such as a rotor, to a driving shaft by means of axially and angularly aligned cylindrical grooves in the shaft and driven member defining a cylindrical cavity for receiving the pin. The pin fits in the defined cavity and radially bridges the space between the shaft and the driven member to link the two together. The shaft and pin are formed of a metal having a lower thermal coefficient of expansion characteristic than the metal forming the driven member. Torque, applied by the shaft, is applied to the rotor distributed over a portion of the cylindrical side walls of the pin.

Abstract: A conveyor drive apparatus comprising a shaft having sprockets mounted thereon for rotation with the shafts. A conveyor belt is engaged by the sprockets. A key includes a body shaped to fit loosely in a groove along the length of the outer surface of the shaft. The key further includes a force-applying member disposed on the body for applying a force against the shaft and pressing the body against the sprocket to lock it in position on the shaft. The sprocket can further have a slot through its central bore wall in which part of the key can reside to rotate the drive member with the shaft.

Abstract: A vehicular transmission is provided with an improved rotary countershaft assembly (100) that eliminates the prior art practice of securing countershaft gears (10) and (12) to adjacent sections (S.sub.1) and (S.sub.2) of a countershaft (2) by separate keys (14) and (22) disposed in separate grooves (16) and (19) respectively by a singular key (26) disposed in a groove (16) and whose radial thickness is adapted to enable countershaft gear (12) to rotate countershaft (2) in the absence of groove (19).

Abstract: An alignment system for a robotic gun assembly comprising a dual-keyed alignment system having a gun mounting arm comprising a keyway with a positive stop that corresponds to a key on the gun housing, and a second keyway with a positive stop within the gun housing that corresponds to a key on the robotic gooseneck.

Abstract: An improved keyed adapter assembly for securing a component to a rotatable shaft, the adapter assembly including an adapter member with an interior end face and an opposite exterior end face, the adapter member including an outer surface for receipt of a component therein, and an internal bore for receipt of a rotatable shaft therethrough. The internal bore includes a keyway therein. The adapter assembly also includes a key for securing the adapter for rotation with the rotatable shaft, the key including a longitudinal portion extending in the direction of the shaft, and tab portion extending outwardly with respect to the longitudinal portion. The tab portion is adapted to engage the interior end face of the adapter member when the adapter assembly is mounted on a shaft, such as the shaft of a gear reducer.

Abstract: A control structure is provided for the swash plate of a hydraulic transmission pump. The structure is adapted to return the swash plate to its neutral orientation and thereby prevent creep or slight movement in the vehicle when the transmission is returned to neutral. The structure takes the form of a tapered hub adapted to be accurately mounted on a tapered swash plate control shaft and configured to be precisely received in a compatably shaped control lever. The lever, in turn, is actuated by the operator foot pedals and returned to its neutral setting by a V-type neutral cam locator. The hub is produced through a powder metal process and with its unique configuration for being mounted in a lever recess can be utilized with a variety of lever shapes and configurations to permit its use in a variety of vehicles and hydrostatic transmission models.

Abstract: A coupling receives a steeply tapered end of a propellor shaft and is secured thereto with a lock nut held in place with a set screw. A housing taper is steeper than known locking tapers to facilitate housing removal. The housing is internally threaded to receive an extractor element which, after lock nut removal, is screwed into the housing for abutment with the end of the propellor shaft with continued advancement of the extractor element resulting in housing separation from the shaft.

Abstract: The drive shaft is formed with a longitudinally extending groove and the wall of a blind bore formed in the valve disc for receiving the shaft is formed with a projection which fits in the groove by a punching operation. The mating parts are readily made by conventional metal forming techniques and there is no need to pierce the disc.

Abstract: An improved mount for motion Picture Lighting and Rigging Equipment. A strong, light-weight mount that can be quickly and securely clamped to a variety of objects of different sizes and shapes. The clamping jaw (22) (23) faces are always parallel to each other and are padded to protect the objects being clamped. All major components (21) (22) (23) (24) are rust proof. The components of the mount can be rearranged to suit specific clamping situations.The shaft (21) of this mount will fit into existing support devices used in the motion picture industry. Thus, this mount can also be used to hold various objects on a movie set and serve as a connection between those objects and the existing support devices.

Abstract: An interchangeable handle and utility tool head system where different tool heads are used with the handle. The different tool heads have similar shanks with a screw threaded end. The handle has a female coupling on one end to receive the screw threaded shank. A positive securing device prevents rotation of the tool head relative to the handle where a keyway and key system prevents the rotation.

Abstract: A bow limb construction (51) includes a bushing (101) for use in mounting an archery bow limb (54) to an archery bow riser (52). The bushing can include a cylinder (116) which is adapted to be received in an aperture (71) of the bow limb. The bushing can include a vertically disposed flange (118) which is adapted to be received in a slot (70) in the bow limb. The bushing includes a first hole which extends vertically through the bushing, the first hole being adapted to receive a fastener (140) for adjustably securing the bow limb to the bow riser. Preferably, the first hole comprises a bore having an elliptical cross section. A major axis of the first hole is adapted to be aligned with a longitudinal axis of the bow limb. A second hole (160) can extend transversely through the bushing and communicate with the first hole. A set screw (162) can be threaded into the second hole so that the set screw adjustably bears against the fastener to retain the fastener in an adjusted position in the first hole.

Abstract: A thermoplastic power transmission element having increased torque capacity. A power transmission element, such as a gear, pulley, sheave or sprocket, is formed of a thermoplastic material and includes a central hub arranged to surround and engage a keyed driven shaft. A metallic insert within the central hub engages the key to receive the driving forces transmitted therethrough. The metallic insert includes a plurality of mating surfaces engaging the central hub to distribute the driving forces over an area larger than the area of the keyway. Use of the metallic insert increases the torque capacity of the resulting power transmission element.

Abstract: An improved elongate key (92) is provided for securing thrust washers to a mainshaft (48) of a transmission (100). Key (92) has a substantially triangular cross-sectional configuration having rounded intersections between adjacent surfaces rendering it easily insertable axially through keyways defined between external axially extending grooves (66) in mainshaft (48) and aligned internal grooves (86) in the thrust washer which itself is preferably provided with rounded corners (90) to enhance the strength thereof.

Abstract: A timing gear device includes a first rotatably supported shaft, a first gear, having a predetermined number of circumferentially spaced teeth, engaged on and carried by the first shaft and a second rotatably supported shaft spaced from the first shaft. A second gear having a predetermined number of circumferentially spaced teeth is engaged on and carried by the second shaft. The first gear and the second gear are engaged with each other. A timing device is provided for changing the rotative position of the second shaft and the second gear in relation to the first shaft and the first gear. The timing device includes a single primary keyway in one of the second gear and the second shaft and a plurality of secondary keyways in another of the second gear and the second shaft. The secondary keyways have differing configurations. A key is provided in the primary keyway. The key is engaged in a predetermined one of the secondary keyways to establish a driving engagement between the second shaft and the second gear.

Abstract: A turbocharger impeller has a lock ring that is flexed in assembly to clampingly center and lock an impeller wheel on its drive shaft. The lock ring is also applicable to other driving or driven shaft and wheel combinations. The lock ring is made part of a two-piece spacer for the illustrated rotor applications but is not limited to that arrangement. Alternative impeller wheel structures including drive means and locking nose cone features are included.

Abstract: A rotary vane vacuum pump includes a pump housing; a bearing support having a bearing bore; a drive motor having an output shaft extending into the bearing bore; and a pump rotor accommodated in the pump housing and having a rotor shaft extending into the bearing bore. The rotor shaft and the output shaft have respective radial end faces oriented towards one another and the output shaft and the rotor shaft have identical diameters. There is further provided a torque-transmitting coupling connecting the output shaft with the rotor shaft at respective radial end faces thereof; a first sealing ring situated in the bore and sealingly surrounding the output shaft; a second sealing ring situated in the bore and sealingly surrounding the rotor shaft; and a lubricant chamber formed by a part of the bearing bore and being bounded and sealed by the first and second sealing rings.

Abstract: A fixing mechanism for a timing gear system used in a compressor has a pair of timing gears engaging each other and a pair of shafts mounting the pair of the timing gears. At least one of the pair of timing gears is divided into a gear part and a sleeve part having matching tapered faces. The tapered faces are pressed by a nut onto one another so that the gear part is fixed to the shaft.

Abstract: A hollow shaft in which an externally threaded portion is forced on an outer periphery of an opening portion at one end of a main body and an engageable groove engageable with a tongue piece of a washer for a bearing is recessedly provided in the axial direction in the externally threaded portion. The engageable groove is recessedly provided to define a remaining wall portion at an outer end of the hollow shaft in the axial direction, whereby a reinforcing ring portion is integrally formed at an outer end portion of the externally threaded portion in the axial direction, the width of the remaining wall portion being set at such a dimension that the washer for the bearing can be coupled into the externally threaded portion.

Abstract: The driving shaft (3) of a pump impeller (4) is extended beyond the impeller and supports the mixer (5) at its end. In order to minimize the risk for extensive damage if the mixer should hit a solid body, the shaft (6) of the mixer is very slim and manufactured of an elastic material such as spring steel.

Abstract: A rotor member (10,000) having a central bore wall (18,118) that is rigidly connected to a shaft (12,112) by a thermally-induced interference fit and by radially extending, interlocking complementary formations, wherein said formations include a key (20,120) projecting from the shaft into a substantially semi-elliptical keyway recess (22,122) in the bore wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a rotatable hub to a drive shaft is disclosed in which the rotatable hub has an axial opening and a radial through opening between an outer surface of the hub and the axial opening of the hub. A rotatable shaft having an axial slot is positioned in the axial opening of the hub with the slot facing the radial through opening of the hub. One or more pins are inserted through the through opening in the hub into the slot in the shaft to insure rotation of the shaft and the hub together. The radial through opening may be covered at the outer surface of the hub to hold the pin in the through opening and in the slot.

Abstract: A method and resulting coupler for uniting two shafts to effect mutual rotation. The coupler especially accommodates two different shaft diameters and provides a longitudinally extending slit passing through an outer wall of the coupler to expedite shaft installation and removal. The method allows the coupler to be made of a single piece of material and assures proper alignment of the two coupled shafts. A groove, extending only partially into the outer wall, facilitates flexing of the coupler for shaft installation and removal. Keyways extend on an interior wall of the coupler, the formation of which is facilitated by an arcuate inner groove.

Abstract: A drive assembly is adapted for engagement with a driven clutch plate of a heavy-duty truck. The drive assembly incorporates a drive pin comprising a shank inserted into a flywheel, and a spindle which extends radially inwardly from the flywheel. A drive head is rotatably mounted on the spindle, which incorporates a groove containing a compressible friction ring for assuring frictional retention of the head. The drive pin includes a shoulder situated intermediate shank and spindle, the shoulder incorporating a frustoconical portion to provide a tapered bearing surface for rotatably supporting the drive head on the spindle. The shoulder also contains a radially extending annulus which faces the shank, the annulus adapted for limiting depth of insertion of the shank into the flywheel. In the same preferred form, the drive head has a tapered counterbore to matingly engage the frustoconical portion, and also contains a plurality of chamfered surfaces adjacent opposed ends of the head.

Abstract: A torque coupling system includes an impeller that is connected to one end of an impeller shaft without the use of threads. The connection is made by cement and dowels. A drive system for the shaft includes a hollow coupling into which the other end of the shaft can be fitted. The shaft includes longitudinally extending slots formed at its end. The coupling includes spaced, longitudinally extending keys adapted to be fitted into the slots formed in the shaft. The drive system also includes a torque limiter that is connected intermediate the coupling and a drive motor. If the drive motor is an electric motor, the motor can be provided with automatic shut-down circuitry that is activated in the event of a current/torque overload. Visual and aural alarms are provided to alert the user that a shut-down has occurred.

Abstract: A rotatable shaft assembly comprises a shaft having a generally cylindrical first section and a generally cylindrical second section. The diameter of the first section is greater than the diameter of the second section. A shoulder having a generally annular face extends between the first and second sections of the shaft. A member to be mounted on the shaft, such as an impeller blade, has a face and an axial bore sized to receive the second section of the shaft and is adapted to confront the face of the first section of the shaft when the member is mounted on the shaft. The member is secured against rotation relative to the shaft by a plurality of pins. Each pin comprises a pin head and a pin shaft formed integrally with, and extending generally perpendicularly from, the pin head. A plurality of bores are formed radially symmetrically in the second section of the shaft proximate the first section and adapted to securely receive the pin shafts in a press fit.

Abstract: The impeller of a fluid pump contained within an impeller housing is axially located on the drive shaft of a motor by securing the impeller to a sleeve that is slidably keyed onto the end of a motor shaft with a seal spring disposed between the sleeve and impeller housing urging the sleeve and impeller against the drive shaft so that the end thrust force is provided by the motor shaft bearings.

Abstract: Chuck mechanisms quickly connect and enable quick disconnection of an impeller shaft of a mixer from the drive shaft of the motor unit. A spindle has a keyway which enables a key, either a detent key which is movable in the keyway or a key which is provided by pins extending from the shaft, to be aligned in locking position where the key transfers the thrust from the spindle to the shaft or an unlocked position where the shaft is rotated out of the locking position and may be removed from the spindle. The key is retained in locking position by an outer sleeve or collar having a slot which enables the key to move away from the shaft when the shaft is rotated to the unlocked position. When the collar is rotated to move the slot away from the key, the key is locked against outward movement.

Abstract: An improved laminated rotor assembly is disclosed which features a novel key/keyway design that prevents lamination reversal while permitting indexing of successive laminae for the distribution of dimensional variations thereof. There are multiple, symmetrically oriented keyways, each keyway having an identical asymmetrical profile. The symmetrical distribution of identical profile keyways permits indexing of successive laminae, and the asymmetrical keyway profiles prevent lamination reversal. In the preferred embodiment, two or three keyways are employed, each key and keyway being formed in the shape of a step having at least two different radial dimensions.

Abstract: A control knob and adaptor assembly, for providing axial position adjustment of a knob relative to a switch shaft having an adaptor with a collar that has a central opening formed therein to receive the switch shaft. The adaptor is disposable at varying positions along the shaft length. A set screw is extendable through the collar for securing the collar to the switch shaft. The collar has an outer surface formed to engage a central aperture formed on the inner surface of the knob.

Abstract: A two-stage gear pump with two gear sets each having a spur gear telescoped onto a slotted drive shaft with a press fit and also positively keyed to the shaft. An annular groove is formed around the shaft adjacent the closed end of the slot in the shaft and enables the slot to be relatively short in axial length so as to reduce manufacturing problems and to enhance the press fit between the shaft and the first stage spur gear.

Abstract: A coupling for joining together pairs of shafts set on the same line but not co-axial, comprising a pair of hubs keyed onto the shafts and interconnected by an outer bell-like device and providing, as joining elements between the couplings and the bell, a plurality of rounded rollers.

Abstract: An elongate lock is positionable along a shaft end segment and acts on a key on the end segment to drive same outwardly into abutment with a shaft carried article. The lock and key have cooperating surfaces which translate lock movement into outward key movement with such surfaces including a rounded key surface such as a woodruff key. A threaded segment of the lock permits forceful lock and key engagement. A modified key is of pin shape.

Abstract: In combination with a bow having a riser with a generally flat sided cut-away part having an internally threaded passage extending through it, an arrow rest spacer has a shaft with a channel extending axially from the outer end of the shaft, the channel being open at the outer end of the shaft and along at least one axial side of the shaft. A wall of the channel is thicker at an inner part of the channel than it is at the outer end of the channel, to form a shallower channel area in the inner part. The shaft is proportioned to fit closely but slideably in the threaded passage. The shaft is made of a material that is rigid enough to support the arrow rest in use, but elastic enough to permit a threaded plug to form threads in it as it is screwed in, and to expand as the plug moves into the shallower part of the channel.

Abstract: An eccentric assembly has a one-piece mainshaft with a groove extending part way around its periphery. An eccentric ring has an off-center opening which receives the mainshaft, with part of the ring received by the groove. An arcuate-shaped insert with a tapered hub is received by the ring opening between the shaft opposite the groove and a frustoconical portion or the ring opening so as to claim the ring, shaft and insert together.

Abstract: A structural connection device is disclosed and is formed of a plurality of hub components having extending ear pairs for connecting with elongated struts or the like for constructing spatial structures. The hub components are positioned in stacked abutting relationship and connected into a unitary device via a single elongated rod connector disposed through and sealed within a large single axially aligned perforation extending centrally through each of the hub components. Adjacent hub components are rotated relative to each other prior to assembly to provide an angular relationship between the respective ear pairs of adjacent hub components.The elongated rod connector 16 (FIGS. 1-2), and 16a (FIG. 3) is fixed to the hub components by shrink fitting, force fitting or adhesively bonding. Other connection embodiments utilize a key-keyway arrangement (FIGS. 4-5a), a cross-pin arrangement (FIGS. 6-7a) and a star or gear shaped connector element (FIGS. 8-9).

Abstract: This rotary die cylinder assembly (10) includes a cylinder (12) having end bearers (14) attached thereto. The cylinder includes intermediate body (16) and opposed end shafts (20). The body 16 is adapted to carry tool members (18) and the end shafts are externally threaded to receive the bearers, the bearers including an internally threaded bore (34). The cylinder body includes opposed annular end faces (30) adapted to receive associated bearer inner faces (32) in torqued metal-to-metal relation. An opening (42) is drilled between the faces (32, 33) of each of the bearers and extends into the the cylinder to receive a pin (44) to secure the bearers to the cylinder. Each opening extends into the cylinder body sufficiently so that the associated pins can be driven completely into the cylinder body end and out of engagement with the bearers. When this is done removal of the bearers and replacement thereof with new bearers, which can be pinned to the cylinders at a different location, is easily accomplished.

Abstract: A non-jamming rotary mechanical actuator for aircraft control surfaces includes a pair of fixed ring gears separated by a moving ring gear. An end plate having a central bore therethrough and a bearing member for rotatably supporting a shaft is mounted at each outer side of said pair of fixed ring gears. Each ring gear has an internal gear surface. The shaft includes an integral inner cam member having a first offset and an outer cam member having a second offset. In driving relationship with said outer cam member is a compound gear having three sets of gear teeth for intermittent contact with said internal gear surfaces of the three ring gears. When a shear member located between the two cam members is broken due to torque overload, the cam members rotate relative to each other so that the compound gear loses contact with the ring gears, thus preventing jamming.

Abstract: A coupling is designed for use in connecting two shafts such as, for instance, the output shaft of an engine with the input shaft of a pump or similar device. The coupling is formed from a generally cylindrical body having a central bore, the bore having a keyway therein. Dyametrically opposed from the keyway, a radial split is formed in the body of the coupler and the split is bridged and releasably tightenable by one or more bolts or other such fasteners.

Abstract: A cane handle is provided with a novel fastenerless lock for securing the handle to a tubular shaft to form a cane assembly. The fastenerless lock includes a depending stub shaft formed integrally with the handle, that stub shaft having a series of annular lock flanges oriented generally normally to the stub shafts' longitudinal axis. The lock flanges are deformable and have an outside diameter in their undeformed, pre-assembly state, that is slightly greater than that of the inside diameter of the tubular shaft into which the stub shaft bearing the lock flanges is inserted to form a cane assembly. Upon insertion into the tubular shaft, the flanges are deformed upwardly in generally dish shaped configuration that resists their subsequent withdrawal.

Abstract: A sleeve joint for driving an impeller on a rotatable shaft includes a sleeve positioned between the shaft and the impeller and including at one end a closed groove which is positioned adjacent a corresponding groove in the shaft, the grooves jointly receiving a wedge permitting joint rotation of the shaft and the sleeve, and at the other end a pin for joining the sleeve and the impeller.

Abstract: A core support system for a core barrel of a nuclear reactor, which core barrel has a bottom core support plate wherein the core support plate has apertures therethrough about the periphery thereof which communicate with recesses in engagement means for the core support plate, and keys inserted into the core support plate apertures and secured thereto with the lower section of the key extending into the recess of the engagement means. The method of installation enables alignment and securement of the core barrel in the pressure vessel without need for an assembler to enter the area between the core barrel support plate and the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: An end connection for a shaft made of composite material, which accommodates for differences in stiffness, thermal expansion, chemical resistance between the shaft and the member connected thereto and operates under oscillating torque, thrust, and bending loads, and also provides for manufacturing flexibility in enabling the shaft and connection to be produced as separate parts which are formed when final assembly is to occur. The connection has a male insert which is inserted into the end of the composite shaft. Axial and circumferential grooves in the surfaces of the male insert and the shaft. These grooves are aligned to form circumferential and axial keyways which intersect each other. Material is injected into the keyway and polymerizes to form structural keys which transmit the thrust and torque, while locking the insert member and the shaft permanently together. The bending loads are transmitted through the tight fit extending axially between the shaft, insert member and keys.

Abstract: A marine propeller shaft/key assembly in which a keyway formed in the shaft is provided with a perpendicular rounded forward end wall. The key, which transmits rotational forces between the propeller and the propeller shaft, is provided with a rounded perpendicular forward end which matingly engages the forward end of the keyway. The rounded perpendicular end of the keyway forms a stop which precludes axial forward movement of the key in the keyway.

Abstract: An improved mounting bracket for a steering column mounted control stalk is disclosed. The bracket includes a generally flat base portion having an aperture formed therein for receiving a boss formed on the steering column. A hollow intermediate portion extends from the base portion and has an internal diameter at least equal to the internal diameter of the base portion aperture. A slot is formed in the base and intermediate portions for receiving a key formed on the steering column boss. A hollow end portion extends from an end of the intermediate portion opposite the base portion and has an internal diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the intermediate portion. The end portion further includes means for releasably engaging the stearing column mounted control stalk. Means are provided for securing the base portion to the steering column.