US3597994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering device with energy absorber
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1969-09-30
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1989-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A steering wheel assembly including an extensible steering shaft whose upper end is connected to a steering wheel and the lower end is connected to a gearbox, a tubular steering column also having telescopic portions arranged coaxially about the steering shaft and movable in the axial direction thereof with the shaft, and an energy-absorbing member capable of plastic deformation in one direction only, either under tension or compression, and being rigid in the opposite direction, said energy-absorbing member positioned beside the steering column and fixed at its lower end to a portion of the tubular steering column and fixed at the other end to a portion of the vehicle. Preferably, said energy-absorbing member is mounted at an angle to the axis of the steering shaft so as to kinetically balance an angular collision force and thereby prevent bending of the shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Masanao Shiomi
- 👤 Tadataka Narumi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:13
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/192
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
In a vehicle including a steering gear, a steering wheel, a steering shaft assembly connecting the gear to the wheel and an energy-absorbing member, the improvement wherein said steering shaft assembly comprises an axially retractable steering shaft means connected at its lower end to the steering gear and at its upper end to the steering wheel and an axially retractable tubular column surrounding said shaft means and coaxial therewith, the upper portion of said shaft means being connected to the steering wheel, said shaft means being in rotatable relation with said tubular column, said energy absorbing member being positioned independently of and in side-by-side relation with said steering shaft assembly, said energy-absorbing member being fixed at its lower end to a portion of said tubular column and at its upper end to another portion of the vehicle, said energy-absorbing member having at least one closed slit substantially perpendicular to the axis of said steering shaft assembly and being plastically deformable in one direction but rigid against deformation in the opposite direction, said slit being opened wide by plastic deformation of the member to absorb the shock of a collision engendered force tending to move said steering shaft means downwardly toward the steering gear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
In a vehicle including a steering gear, a steering wheel, a steering shaft assembly connecting the gear to the wheel and an energy-absorbing member, the improvement wherein said steering shaft assembly comprises an axially retractable steering shaft means connected at its lower end to the steering gear and at its upper end to the steering wheel and an axially retractable tubular column surrounding said shaft means and coaxial therewith, the upper portion of said shaft means being connected to the steering wheel, said shaft means being in rotatable relation with said tubular column, said energy absorbing member being positioned independently of and in side-by-side relation with said steering shaft assembly, said energy-absorbing member being fixed at its lower end to a portion of said tubular column and at its upper end to another portion of the vehicle, said energy-absorbing member having at least one closed slit substantially perpendicular to the axis of said steering shaft assembly and being plastically deformable in one direction but rigid against deformation in the opposite direction, said slit being opened wide by plastic deformation of the member to absorb the shock of a collision engendered force tending to move said steering shaft means downwardly toward the steering gear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improvement set forth in claim 1, wherein said independent energy-absorbing member is disposed at an angle to the axis of said steering shaft means so as to kinetically balance a collision force directed at an angle to the axis of said steering shaft means to thereby prevent binding of said shaft means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The improvement set forth in claim 1, wherein said energy-absorbing member includes a plate having a plurality of narrow slits therein arranged in lines perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said steering shaft assembly, the slits of one line being staggered in relation to those of the adjacent line, said slits being opened wide by plastic deformation of the plate to absorb the shock of a collision engendered force tending to move said steering shaft means downwardly toward the steering gear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The improvement set forth in claim 1, wherein said energy-absorbing member includes an elongated rectangular bar folded in its central portion to provide a plurality of slits formed between touching laminations each substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar, said laminations being separable by plastic deformation of the bar to absorb the shock of a collision engendered force tending to retract the steering shaft means downwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The improvement set forth in claim 1, wherein said energy-absorbing means includes a coil having a continuous normally closed helical slit, said slit being opened wide by plastic deformation of the coil to absorb the shock of a collision engendered force tending to move saiD steering shaft means downwardly toward the steering gear so as to be plastically deformable in one direction but rigid against deformation in the opposite direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |