Energy absorbing steering column assembly

Claim 2

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a support structure including a bracket disposed rearwardly of a fire wall, a tube operatively connected to said bracket, said tube having its forward terminus spaced rearwardly of said fire wall, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its rearward end and to a steering gear at its forward end, a first support member and a second support member connecting said tube to said bracket, said first support member having deforming means engaging said tube, said second support member having means releasably engaging said tube and constructed to permit axial displaceMent of said tube relative to said bracket in response to the force of an impact load above a preset value, means connecting said first support member to said bracket and constructed to secure said first support member against any significant displacement relative to said bracket when subjected to an impact load substantially above said preset value, said second support member being connected to said bracket, said first and second support members being axially spaced apart, said tube having surface recesses, said deforming means being seated in said recesses, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said tube upon relative axial displacement of said tube with respect to said first support member.

Claim 3

An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 1 and including: said deforming means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart inwardly directed projections.

Claim 4

An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 1 and including: said recesses comprising axially extending elongated grooves, said deforming means being seated in said grooves.

Claim 5

An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 1 and including: said deforming means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart inwardly directed projections, said recesses comprising axially extending elongated grooves, said projections being seated in said grooves.

Claim 6

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a support structure, an outer tube connected to said support structure, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said outer tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its upper end and to a steering gear at its lower end, a first support member having deforming means engaging said tube, said first member being connected to said support structure, a second support member having bushing means engaging said tube, said second support member being connected to said support structure, said first and second members being axially spaced apart, said outer tube having surface recesses, said deforming means being seated in said recesses, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said outer tube upon relative axial displacement of said outer tube with respect to said first support member, said deforming means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart inwardly directed projections, said recesses comprising axially extending elongated grooves, said projections being seated in said grooves, said first support means having bushing means engaging said outer tube.

Claim 7

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a support structure, an outer tube connected to said support structure, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said outer tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its upper end and to a steering gear at its lower end, a first support member having deforming means engaging said tube, said first member being connected to said support structure, a second support member having bushing means engaging said tube, said second support member being connected to said support structure, said first and second members being axially spaced apart, said outer tube having surface recesses, said deforming means being seated in said recesses, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said outer tube upon relative axial displacement of said outer tube with respect to said first support member, said deforming means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart inwardly directed projections, said recesses comprising axially extending elongated grooves, said projections being seated in said grooves, said first support means having bushing means engaging said outer tube.

Claim 8

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a fire wall, a support bracket connected to said fire wall, a steering column outer tube connected to said support bracket, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said outer tube, said steering shaft being connected to a steering wheel at its upper end, a steering gear positioned forwardly of said fire wall, a flexible cable connecting said steering shaft and said steering gear, said flexible cable extending through said fire wall, a support member having deforming means engaging said tube, said member being connected to said support bracket, said outer tube having one end positioned adjacent said steering wheel and the other end spaced rearwardly of said fire wall, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said outer tube upon relative axial displacement of said outer tube with respect to said support member.

Claim 9

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a fire wall, a support bracket connected to said fire wall, a steering column outer tube connected to said support bracket, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said outer tube, said steering shaft being connected to a steering wheel at its upper end, a steering gear positioned forwardly of said fire wall, a flexible cable connecting said steering shaft and said steering gear, said flexible cable extending through said fire wall, a support member having deforming means engaging said tube, said member being connected to said support bracket, said outer tube having one end positioned adjacent said steering wheel and the other end spaced rearwardly of said fire wall, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said outer tube upon relative axial displacement of said outer tube with respect to said support member.

Claim 10

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 6 and including: a second support member engaging said outer tube, said second support member being connected to said support bracket, said second support member being constructed to provide only nominal resistance to the axial displacement of said outer tube.

Claim 11

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a support structure including a fIre wall and a bracket disposed rearwardly of said fire wall, a tube operatively connected to said bracket, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its rearward end and to a steering gear at its forward end, a member having deforming means engaging said tube, the forward terminus of said tube being spaced apart from said member in a forward direction, releasable means connected to said bracket and releasably engaging said tube, said releasable means being constructed to permit axial displacement of said tube in response to the force of an impact load above a preset value, means connecting said member to said bracket and constructed to secure said member against any significant displacement relative to said bracket when subjected to an impact load substantially above said preset value, said releasable means and said member being axially spaced apart, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said tube upon relative axial displacement of said tube with respect to said member.

Claim 12

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a support structure including a fIre wall and a bracket disposed rearwardly of said fire wall, a tube operatively connected to said bracket, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its rearward end and to a steering gear at its forward end, a member having deforming means engaging said tube, the forward terminus of said tube being spaced apart from said member in a forward direction, releasable means connected to said bracket and releasably engaging said tube, said releasable means being constructed to permit axial displacement of said tube in response to the force of an impact load above a preset value, means connecting said member to said bracket and constructed to secure said member against any significant displacement relative to said bracket when subjected to an impact load substantially above said preset value, said releasable means and said member being axially spaced apart, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said tube upon relative axial displacement of said tube with respect to said member.

Claim 13

An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 8 and including: said member comprising a rigid collar encircling said tube.

Claim 14

An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 8 and including: lock means interposed between said member and said tube, said lock means being constructed to prevent the rearward displacement of said tube.

Claim 15

An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 8 and including: said member comprising a rigid collar encircling said tube, lock means interposed between said rigid collar and said tube, said lock means being constructed to prevent the rearward displacement of said tube relative to said collar.

Claim 16

An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 8 and including: said member comprising a rigid collar encircling said tube, said tube having surface recesses, said deforming means being seated in said recesses, lock means interposed between said rigid collar and said tube, said lock means being constructed to prevent the rearward displacement of said tube.

Claim 17

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a fire wall, a support structure situated rearwardly of said fire wall, means connecting said support structure to said fire wall, an outer steering column tube having its forward terminus spaced rearwardly of said fire wall, a member and a releasable means connecting said tube to said support structure, said member and said releasable means being axially spaced apart and spaced rearwardly of said fire wall, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said outer tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its rearward end and to a steering gear at its forward end, said member having deforming means engaging said outer tube, said forward terminus of said outer tube being situated forwardly of said member, said releasable means releasably engaging said outer tube and constructed to permit axial displacement of said outer tube relative to said support structure in response to the force of an impact load above a preset value, means connecting said member to said support structure and constructed to secure said member against any significant displacement relative to said support structure when subjected to an impact load substantially above said preset value, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said tube upon relative axial displacement of said tube with respect to said member.

Claim 18

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a fire wall, a support structure situated rearwardly of said fire wall, means connecting said support structure to said fire wall, an outer steering column tube having its forward terminus spaced rearwardly of said fire wall, a member and a releasable means connecting said tube to said support structure, said member and said releasable means being axially spaced apart and spaced rearwardly of said fire wall, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said outer tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its rearward end and to a steering gear at its forward end, said member having deforming means engaging said outer tube, said forward terminus of said outer tube being situated forwardly of said member, said releasable means releasably engaging said outer tube and constructed to permit axial displacement of said outer tube relative to said support structure in response to the force of an impact load above a preset value, means connecting said member to said support structure and constructed to secure said member against any significant displacement relative to said support structure when subjected to an impact load substantially above said preset value, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said tube upon relative axial displacement of said tube with respect to said member.

Claim 19

An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 13 and including: said member comprising a rigid collar encircling said tube.

Claim 20

An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 13 and including: said member comprising a rigid collar encircling said tube, lock means interposed between said rigid collar and said tube, said lock means being constructed to prevent the rearward dispLacement of said tube.

Claim 21

An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 13 and including: lock means interposed between said member and said tube, said lock means being constructed to prevent the rearward displacement of said tube.

Claim 22

An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 13 and including: said member comprising a rigid collar encircling said tube, said tube having surface recesses, said deforming means being seated in said recesses, lock means interposed between said rigid collar and said tube, said lock means being constructed to prevent the rearward displacement of said tube.

Claim 23

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a support structure including a fire wall and a support bracket means, said support bracket means being disposed rearwardly of said fire wall, an outer steering column tube connected to said support bracket means, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said outer tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its rearward end and to a steering gear at its forward end, a rigid collar and means connecting said rigid collar to said support bracket means, said rigid collar having deforming means engaging the outer tube, said forward terminus of said outer tube being spaced apart from said rigid collar in a forward direction, releasable means connected to said support bracket means and releasably engaging said tube, said releasable means being constructed to permit axial displacement of said outer tube relative to said support bracket means in response to the force of an impact load above a preset value, the means connecting said rigid collar to said support bracket means being constructed to secure said collar against any significant displacement relative to said support bracket means when subjected to an impact load substantially above said preset value, said releasable means and said rigid collar being axially spaced apart and spaced rearwardly of said fire wall, said outer tube having surface recesses, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said outer tube upon relative axial displacement of said outer tube with respect to said rigid collar.

Claim 24

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a support structure including a fire wall and a support bracket means, said support bracket means being disposed rearwardly of said fire wall, an outer steering column tube connected to said support bracket means, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said outer tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its rearward end and to a steering gear at its forward end, a rigid collar and means connecting said rigid collar to said support bracket means, said rigid collar having deforming means engaging the outer tube, said forward terminus of said outer tube being spaced apart from said rigid collar in a forward direction, releasable means connected to said support bracket means and releasably engaging said tube, said releasable means being constructed to permit axial displacement of said outer tube relative to said support bracket means in response to the force of an impact load above a preset value, the means connecting said rigid collar to said support bracket means being constructed to secure said collar against any significant displacement relative to said support bracket means when subjected to an impact load substantially above said preset value, said releasable means and said rigid collar being axially spaced apart and spaced rearwardly of said fire wall, said outer tube having surface recesses, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said outer tube upon relative axial displacement of said outer tube with respect to said rigid collar.

Claim 25

An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 18 and including: lock means interposed between said rigid collar and said tube, said lock means being constructed to prevent the rearward displacement of said tube.

Claim 26

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 and including: said second support means having guide means constructed to slidably support said tube and to maintain said tube in alignment with said deforming means upon axial displacement thereof.

Claim 27

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 8 and including: said releasable means being constructed to slidably support said tube and to maintain said tube in alignment with said deforming means upon said axial displacement thereof.

Claim 28

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 13 and including: said releasable means being constructed to slidably support said tube and to maintain said tube in alignment with said deforming means upon axial displacement thereof.

Claim 29

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a support structure including a fire wall, a normally stationary outer tube connected to said support structure, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said outer tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its rearward end and to a steering gear at its forward end, a first support member having deforming means engaging said outer tube, a second support member having guide means engaging said outer tube, means rigidly securing said first and second support members to said support structure, said first and second support members being axially spaced apart and spaced rearwardlY of said fire wall, said guide means being constructed to permit axial displacement of said outer tube relative to said second support member in response to force above a preset value, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said outer tube upon axial displacement of said outer tube with respect to said first support member whereby energy is absorbed, said guide means being constructed to slidably support said outer tube and to maintain said outer tube in alignment with said deforming means upon axial displacement of said outer tube.

Claim 30

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a support structure including a fire wall, a normally stationary outer tube connected to said support structure, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said outer tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its rearward end and to a steering gear at its forward end, a first support member having deforming means engaging said outer tube, a second support member having guide means engaging said outer tube, means rigidly securing said first and second support members to said support structure, said first and second support members being axially spaced apart and spaced rearwardlY of said fire wall, said guide means being constructed to permit axial displacement of said outer tube relative to said second support member in response to force above a preset value, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said outer tube upon axial displacement of said outer tube with respect to said first support member whereby energy is absorbed, said guide means being constructed to slidably support said outer tube and to maintain said outer tube in alignment with said deforming means upon axial displacement of said outer tube.

Claim 31

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 23 and including: said stationary outer tube having its forward terminus spaced rearwardly of said fire wall and forwardly of said first support member.

Claim 32

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a support structure including a bracket disposed rearwardly of a fire wall, a normally stationary outer tube connected to said bracket, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said outer tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its rearward end and to a steering gear at its forward end, a first support member having deforming means engaging said outer tube, a second support member having guide means engaging said outer tube, means rigidly securing said first and second support members to said bracket, said first and second members being axially spaced apart and spaced rearwardly of said fire wall, said outer tube having its forward terminus spaced rearwardly of said fire wall and forwardly of said first support member, said guide means being constructed to permit axial displacement of said outer tube relative to said second support member in response to the force of an impact load above a preset value, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said outer tube upon relative displacement of said outer tube with respect to said first support member whereby energy is absorbed, said said guide means being constructed to slidably support said tube and to maintain said outer tube in alignment with said deforming means upon axial displacement thereof through a distance approximately equal to the distance between said support members.

Claim 33

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a support structure including a bracket disposed rearwardly of a fire wall, a normally stationary outer tube connected to said bracket, a steering shaft rotatably supported within said outer tube, said shaft being adapted to be connected to a steering wheel at its rearward end and to a steering gear at its forward end, a first support member having deforming means engaging said outer tube, a second support member having guide means engaging said outer tube, means rigidly securing said first and second support members to said bracket, said first and second members being axially spaced apart and spaced rearwardly of said fire wall, said outer tube having its forward terminus spaced rearwardly of said fire wall and forwardly of said first support member, said guide means being constructed to permit axial displacement of said outer tube relative to said second support member in response to the force of an impact load above a preset value, said deforming means being constructed to plastically deform said outer tube upon relative displacement of said outer tube with respect to said first support member whereby energy is absorbed, said said guide means being constructed to slidably support said tube and to maintain said outer tube in alignment with said deforming means upon axial displacement thereof through a distance approximately equal to the distance between said support members.