Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Larry R Logemann

Carroll R Cole

Richard E Guhl

PCT No. PCT/US79/00319 SEC. 371 Date May 14, 1979 SEC. 103(e) Date May 14, 1979 PCT Filed May 14, 1979 An apparatus (10) includes an upwardly inclined stationary support column (12) and an upwardly inclined steering wheel column (14) pivotally mounted thereon. An interlock mechanism (86) is provided at the distal end (52) of the support column (12) for locking the columns (12, 14) together at one angular position including that of substantially parallel alignment of the columns (12, 14). A vehicle control member (60) can be mounted at the distal end (52) of the support column (12) subjacent the steering wheel (16), and the support column (12) can include a pair of posts (30, 32) defining a U-shaped slot (50) for receiving the steering wheel column (14).

Tilt steering wheel and support column apparatus

The invention comprises a transmission control console attachable to a vehicle. The console includes an enclosure with a gear shift regulator extending therefrom, the regulator serving to control the transmission of the vehicle. Generally, the regulator will have forward, reverse, and neutral settings. Also a part of the console is a parking brake actuator adjacent the enclosure, the actuator serving to control a parking brake of the vehicle. Means are provided responsive to movement of the actuator to cause engagement of the parking brake for interlocking the actuator to the regulator only when the regulator is in its neutral setting, whereby shifting out of the neutral setting is prevented when the actuator and the regulator are interlocked, and engagement of the brake is prevented when the regulator is not in the neutral setting.

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Decatur, IL, United States of America

Larry R Logemann