Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation

Matthew L Messing

Jacob Allen Caverly

Douglas M Schneider

Robert J Smith

Brandon M McComb

Margaret R Szeliga

Michael Patrick Anspaugh

Donald A Buzzard

Floyd E Eschenbacher, Jr

Clinton D Spencer

An axially adjustable steering column includes a first jacket. The steering column also includes a second jacket, wherein the first jacket is axially adjustable relative to the second jacket. The steering column further includes an adjustment lever. The steering column yet further includes a locking mechanism, wherein the adjustment lever selectively moves the locking mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents axial adjustment of the first jacket relative to the second jacket in both axial directions, and the unlocked position allows adjustment of the first jacket relative to the second jacket.

Locking mechanism for steering system

A no-back spring apparatus includes a body having an annular shape extending between an outer diameter and an inner diameter, the body comprising a first axial side and a second axial side, the second axial side including a flat portion extending from the inner diameter toward the outer diameter. The no-back spring apparatus also includes a plurality of retaining fingers circumferentially spaced from each other and integrally formed with the body and extending radially outwardly from the outer diameter. The no-back spring apparatus further includes a plurality of spring elements integrally formed with the body, each of the plurality of spring elements including a tab portion extending radially inwardly from the inner dimeter.

No-back spring apparatus

A steering column has a tubular jacket supported by a mount bracket. The tubular jacket extends along a central axis between lower and upper ends, and is pivotal about a pivot axis. The mount bracket has first and second sidewalls spaced from one another for movement of the tubular jacket therebetween. The first and second sidewalls have first and second lock features, respectively. A lock bolt extends along a lock bolt axis transversely to the central axis. First and second lock cams are operably supported by the lock bolt for rotation about the lock bolt axis between locked and unlocked states. The first and second lock cams have respective first and second lock cam lock features for engagement with the first and second lock features, respectively, to releasably lock the tubular jacket against pivotal movement about the pivot axis in opposite first and second directions, respectively.

Steering column with dual direction lock

A steering column assembly includes a steering column housing. The steering column assembly also includes a lower shaft disposed within the steering column housing and axially adjustable. The steering column assembly further includes a torque adjustment assembly operatively connected to the lower shaft to increase or decrease a steering shaft turning torque.

Steering column turning torque adjustment device

A lever assembly for a steering column includes a rotatable lock lever. The lever assembly also includes a bolt operatively coupled to the rotatable lock lever and rotated therewith. The lever assembly further includes a clamp load assembly operatively coupled to the bolt. The clamp load assembly includes an assist cam having a cam profile defined by at least one ramp. The clamp load assembly also includes an assist follower having a follower profile in contact with the cam profile. The clamp load assembly further includes an assist spring disposed between the assist follower and a column structure, the assist spring biasing the assist follower into contact with the assist cam.

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Saginaw, MI, United States of America

Matthew L Messing