Abstract A collapsible steering column for connecting an automotive steering wheel with the automotive steering actuating mechanism includes a cylindrical shaft having the steering wheel attached at one end and a disengageable support bearing engaging a transverse groove on the shaft. The opposite end of the shaft is formed into a hexagonal cross section which is positioned through a mating hexagonal opening in a hydraulic cylinder. Within the hydraulic cylinder, and attached to the end of the shaft there is a hydraulic piston having pressure relief holes through the piston to permit the flow of hydraulic fluid through the holes when the piston is moved. The opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder is operably attached to the steering actuating mechanism of the automobile so that rotational movement of the steering wheel, shaft and cylinder is converted by the steering actuating mechanism to impart steering force to the linkage attached to the front wheels of the automobile. When a predetermined force is applied to the steering wheel in a direction essentially parallel to the shaft, the disengageable support bearing disengages from the transverse groove on the shaft permitting the shaft and steering wheel to slide away from the driver. The hydraulic cylinder and piston act as a cushioning shock absorber as the shaft and piston slide through the cylinder.
A collapsible steering column connecting an automotive steering wheel to an automotive steering actuating mechanism comprising: a cylindrical shaft having the steering wheel attached at one end thereof; a transverse groove formed in said shaft adjacent the end to which the steering wheel is attached; engaging means formed on the opposite end of said shaft; support bearing means comprising disengageable roller means extending into and engaging with said transverse groove, said disengageable roller means disengaging said transverse groove in response to the application of a predetermined external force on the steering wheel in a direction essentially along the center line of said shaft, a hollow hydraulic cylinder means operably connected to one end of the steering actuating mechanism and having an opening in the opposite end through which said slidable engaging means of said shaft is positioned, said opening engaging said engaging means on said shaft to rotate said hydraulic cylinder means when said shaft is rotated and to permit said shaft to freely slide through said opening wHen said shaft moves in a direction essentially along the center line of said shaft; piston means positioned within said hydraulic cylinder means, said piston means attached to said shaft adjacent the end of said shaft extending through said opening in said hydraulic cylinder means; and pressure release means for time delay equalizing the pressure on each side of said piston means in response to movement of said piston means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A collapsible steering column connecting an automotive steering wheel to an automotive steering actuating mechanism comprising: a cylindrical shaft having the steering wheel attached at one end thereof; a transverse groove formed in said shaft adjacent the end to which the steering wheel is attached; engaging means formed on the opposite end of said shaft; support bearing means comprising disengageable roller means extending into and engaging with said transverse groove, said disengageable roller means disengaging said transverse groove in response to the application of a predetermined external force on the steering wheel in a direction essentially along the center line of said shaft, a hollow hydraulic cylinder means operably connected to one end of the steering actuating mechanism and having an opening in the opposite end through which said slidable engaging means of said shaft is positioned, said opening engaging said engaging means on said shaft to rotate said hydraulic cylinder means when said shaft is rotated and to permit said shaft to freely slide through said opening wHen said shaft moves in a direction essentially along the center line of said shaft; piston means positioned within said hydraulic cylinder means, said piston means attached to said shaft adjacent the end of said shaft extending through said opening in said hydraulic cylinder means; and pressure release means for time delay equalizing the pressure on each side of said piston means in response to movement of said piston means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A collapsible steering column as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support bearing means further comprises: a first annular sleeve positioned immediately around said shaft adjacent said transverse groove, said first annular sleeve having radially positioned recessions in the interior surface of said first annular sleeve; and spring means positioned in said recessions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
A collapsible steering column as claimed in claim 2 wherein said disengageable roller means comprises spherical rollers positioned in said recessions against said spring means, said roller engaging with and freely rolling in said transverse groove, said springs tending to urge said spherical rollers in said transverse groove and said springs adapted to permit disengagement of said rollers from said groove in response to application of a predetermined external force along said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A collapsible steering column as claimed in claim 3 further comprising: a second annular sleeve positioned about said first annular sleeve; and roller bearing means positioned between said first and second annular sleeve, said bearing means permitting free relative rotational movement between said first annular sleeve and said second annular sleeve.