Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Benjamin H Everett, Ii

Howard D Beauch

Frederick P Arndt

John P Sutorik

Robert B Holben

James B Swanson

Stanley J Iseler

An infinitely adjustable manual control for a lengthwise adjustable automotive steering column of the type having a stationary outer member and an inner tubular member slidable telescopically in the outer member. The manual control includes a housing on the outer member, a clutch element mounted on the housing for radial and lateral shiftable movement, and rack teeth on the clutch element and on the inner tubular member. In a lowered position of the clutch element, the rack teeth mesh to immobilize the inner tubular member relative to the outer member. In a raised position of the clutch element, the rack teeth are disengaged. The rack teeth are oriented at an angle to the longitudinal centerline of the steering column so that the lateral movement of the clutch element in the housing effects longitudinal movement between the rack teeth to assure mesh in all relative positions of the inner and outer members. An actuator and a pair of side bars on the housing releasably secure the clutch element in its lowered position. A flexible cable controlled by the driver operates the actuator to release the clutch element for movement to the raised position when lengthwise adjustment is desired.

Manual control for adjustable steering column

A shaft coupling for a tubular shaft and a member with a collar is disclosed. The shaft coupling includes a U-shaped spacer which has a length such that the spacer can be properly located in the tubular shaft easily. The spacer also includes flares to keep the spacer in place during assembly and operation.

Shaft coupling

A transmission shift control assembly for a tilting steering column assembly has a rotary arm member to which a transmission shift control cable is attached. The rotary motion at the arm member translates to linear motion at the cable. The arm member is connected with a detent control which has stop members to limit the rotary motion and a locating member to position the shift control at the selected transmission operating condition. A manual lever is secured with the detent control and the arm member to permit operator selection of the desired transmission operating condition. The manual lever pivots a portion of the detent control about one axis to release it from the locating portion so that upon rotation of the manual lever about another axis intersecting the first axis, a change in transmission operation can be selected. The steering column is tiltable about an axis which passes through the point of intersection of the other two axes.

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Saginaw, MI, United States of America

Benjamin H Everett, Ii