An auxiliary unstow mechanism for a vehicle steering column includes a telescope actuator assembly. The auxiliary unstow mechanism also includes a first electronic control unit (ECU) in communication with the telescope actuator assembly to control the telescope actuator assembly. The auxiliary unstow mechanism further includes a latch actuator operatively controlling a latch assembly that controls a locked condition and an unlocked condition of vehicle steering column axial position. The auxiliary unstow mechanism yet further includes a second ECU in communication with the first ECU and the latch actuator, the second ECU controlling the latch actuator.

An auxiliary unstow mechanism for a vehicle steering column includes a telescope actuator assembly. The auxiliary unstow mechanism also includes a first electronic control unit (ECU) in communication with the telescope actuator assembly to control the telescope actuator assembly. The auxiliary unstow mechanism further includes a latch actuator operatively controlling a latch assembly that controls a locked condition and an unlocked condition of vehicle steering column axial position. The auxiliary unstow mechanism yet further includes a second ECU in communication with the first ECU and the latch actuator, the second ECU controlling the latch actuator.

A steering device includes a steering shaft, a steering column, a bracket, and a fastening mechanism. An upper column includes a clamp, a cylindrical part, a pair of protrusions, and contact ribs. The clamp includes a continuous clamp and a spaced clamp. The protrusions include a continuous protrusion and a spaced protrusion. The contact ribs include first contact ribs disposed each of which is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the clamp, second contact ribs each of which is disposed on a side surface of the protrusion and disposed opposite to the first contact rib with respect to a long groove, and at least one third contact rib disposed on a side surface of the spaced protrusion and between the first contact rib and the long groove. The third contact rib has a protrusion amount greater than those of the first contact rib and the second contact rib.

A steering device includes a steering shaft, a steering column, a bracket, and a fastening mechanism. An upper column includes a clamp, a cylindrical part, a pair of protrusions, and contact ribs. The clamp includes a continuous clamp and a spaced clamp. The protrusions include a continuous protrusion and a spaced protrusion. The contact ribs include first contact ribs disposed each of which is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the clamp, second contact ribs each of which is disposed on a side surface of the protrusion and disposed opposite to the first contact rib with respect to a long groove, and at least one third contact rib disposed on a side surface of the spaced protrusion and between the first contact rib and the long groove. The third contact rib has a protrusion amount greater than those of the first contact rib and the second contact rib.

A steering column assembly includes a first shaft assembly, a second shaft assembly, and a locking assembly. The first shaft assembly has a first shaft. The second shaft assembly has a second shaft that is at least partially received within the first shaft. The locking assembly is disposed about at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft and is arranged to inhibit rotation of at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft.

A steering column assembly includes a first shaft assembly, a second shaft assembly, and a locking assembly. The first shaft assembly has a first shaft. The second shaft assembly has a second shaft that is at least partially received within the first shaft. The locking assembly is disposed about at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft and is arranged to inhibit rotation of at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft.

A steering column device includes a coupling mechanism that couples an auxiliary restricting member with an inner column when a lock mechanism is in a locked position. In operation, when a load exceeding a set value is applied to the inner column in its cylinder-axis direction, the auxiliary restricting member moves together with the inner column and leaves its engagement with a restricting member, so that the restricting member departs from a restricting position where it can be engaged with the inner column.

A steering column device includes a coupling mechanism that couples an auxiliary restricting member with an inner column when a lock mechanism is in a locked position. In operation, when a load exceeding a set value is applied to the inner column in its cylinder-axis direction, the auxiliary restricting member moves together with the inner column and leaves its engagement with a restricting member, so that the restricting member departs from a restricting position where it can be engaged with the inner column.

A steering column mechanism (10) comprises a lower body (14), an upper tube (16) that is movable depthwise relative to the lower body (14) along an extension and retraction path, in a direction of retraction and in a direction of extension opposite the direction of retraction, and a locking mechanism (34) for locking the upper tube (16) relative to the lower body (14), movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A retractable stop (58) is movable relative to the lower body (14) and relative to the locking mechanism (34) between an active position and a retracted position. In the active position, the retractable stop (58) limits the travel of the upper tube (16) in the direction of retraction to an adjustment stop position, whereas in the retracted position, it does not interfere with the upper tube (16). The retractable stop (58) is linked to the locking mechanism via an interlock (65) in such a way as to be in the active position when the locking mechanism (34) is in the unlocked position. The lower body (14) comprises one or more supports (76, 78, 96) for at least partially taking up forces generated by the upper tube (16) on the retractable stop (58) when the locking mechanism (34) is in the unlocked position and the upper tube (16) is in the adjustment stop position in abutment against the retractable stop (58). Preferably, the lower body is provided with guide means (74, 76, 78, 90) for guiding the retractable stop between the retracted position and the active position.

A steering column mechanism (10) comprises a lower body (14), an upper tube (16) that is movable depthwise relative to the lower body (14) along an extension and retraction path, in a direction of retraction and in a direction of extension opposite the direction of retraction, and a locking mechanism (34) for locking the upper tube (16) relative to the lower body (14), movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A retractable stop (58) is movable relative to the lower body (14) and relative to the locking mechanism (34) between an active position and a retracted position. In the active position, the retractable stop (58) limits the travel of the upper tube (16) in the direction of retraction to an adjustment stop position, whereas in the retracted position, it does not interfere with the upper tube (16). The retractable stop (58) is linked to the locking mechanism via an interlock (65) in such a way as to be in the active position when the locking mechanism (34) is in the unlocked position. The lower body (14) comprises one or more supports (76, 78, 96) for at least partially taking up forces generated by the upper tube (16) on the retractable stop (58) when the locking mechanism (34) is in the unlocked position and the upper tube (16) is in the adjustment stop position in abutment against the retractable stop (58). Preferably, the lower body is provided with guide means (74, 76, 78, 90) for guiding the retractable stop between the retracted position and the active position.