Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Clarke Fisk Thacker

Luigi Mastrofrancesco

John C Singer, Iii

Daniel J Bleitz

Robert Daniel Restauri

Nancy J Cragel

Cheryl Beth Goldstein

An automotive vehicle steering column lock assembly is disclosed for use with a steering wheel connected to a steering column passing through a steering column housing to which an ignition switch is mounted. The assembly has a lock ring adapted to be mounted to the steering column and having at least one lock recess on an end thereof and a lock pawl movable between a lock position engaged in the lock recess and an unlock position disengaged from the at least one lock recess. A tray is adapted for slidable movement within the steering column housing generally parallel to the steering column, the tray having a lock pawl bed allowing the lock pawl to slide therein generally parallel to the steering column. Tray control means operatively connecting the ignition switch and the tray move the tray between at least two positions in which the lock pawl alternately engages and disengages the lock ring to prevent and allow, respectively, rotation of the steering column. A lock lever, fixed with respect to the steering column housing, is movable between a blocking position preventing the lock pawl from moving into the at least one lock recess on the lock ring, and an unblocking position allowing the lock pawl to enter the at least one lock recess. To control operation of the lock lever relative to a key inserted state of the ignition switch, a control lever operatively connects the ignition switch with the lock lever and is moveable between a release position when a key is inserted into the ignition switch allowing the lock lever to move to the block position, and a depress position when the key is removed from the ignition switch forcing the lock lever to an unblock position to allow the lock pawl to move to the locked position.

Automotive vehicle steering column lock mechanism

A fluid conduit connecting apparatus allows various final assembly orientations of the fluid supply line (52) to a pump housing (16). The fluid conduit connecting apparatus includes a collar (12) having a first side (22) with teeth (26) and a tube (14) with at least one tooth (60) for orienting the tube (14) relative to the collar and housing when finally installed. The tube (14) further includes at least one retaining barb (82) for positively retaining the tube (14) in a fluid passage (72) of the housing (16).

Fluid conduit connecting apparatus

A tilting and telescoping steering column assembly having internal energy absorbing capabilities. The assembly comprises a main housing (12, 13), a telescoping housing (26), and a tilt head (82). The telescoping housing and tilt head are locked by a pair of telescoping and tilt locks (44,88) which are selectively engaged by an operator through first and second levers (56,86) connected thereto with flexible cables (54,84). An energy absorbing device, such as a curl strap (68), may be incorporated to provide additional energy management control.

Tilting, telescoping and energy absorbing steering column

A power tilt, telescoping and internally collapsible steering column assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a main housing, a telescope housing, and a tilt head. The telescope housing and tilt head are driven by a pair of torsionally rigid axially flexible cables extending generally along the steering column. The cable is adapted by its axial flexibility to axially flex to accommodate the collapse of the telescope housing with respect to the main housing.

Growing community of inventors

Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Clarke Fisk Thacker