US3741032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible steering column assembly
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1971-09-27
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible steering column of the type used on motor vehicles is arranged to telescope upon impact. The steering column is provided with inner and outer telescoping polygonally shaped shafts axially slidable one within the other. The inner and outer shafts are held in rotational and axial driving engagement by clamping means which preloads the respective shafts to withstand normal axial impact but which permits the shafts to collapse axially when the force of impact of a collision exceeds a predetermined safe value.
Inventors
- 👤 D Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:15
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/192; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/14; Y10T24/1412; Y10T24/1441
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A collapsible steering shaft assembly, which comprises: an outer shaft having an end with a polygonal bore; an inner shaft having a polygonal end corresponding to said bore and telescopically received within said bore; said inner and outer shafts having axial sliding movement therebetween and torsional backlash; and means connected to said inner and outer shafTs for controlling the axial movement and torsional backlash of said shafts; said means including a support and two parallel axially aligned arms integrally suspeneded from said support, one of said arms is operatively connected to one of said shafts and the other of said arms is operatively connected to the other of said shafts to establish axial preloading of the respective shafts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A collapsible steering shaft assembly, which comprises: an outer shaft having an end with a polygonal bore; an inner shaft having a polygonal end corresponding to said bore and telescopically received within said bore; said inner and outer shafts having axial sliding movement therebetween and torsional backlash; and means connected to said inner and outer shafTs for controlling the axial movement and torsional backlash of said shafts; said means including a support and two parallel axially aligned arms integrally suspeneded from said support, one of said arms is operatively connected to one of said shafts and the other of said arms is operatively connected to the other of said shafts to establish axial preloading of the respective shafts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A collapsible steering shaft assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said arms have lateral flexibility with respect to the shaft axes so as to respond to torsional loading.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A collapsible steering shaft assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said telescoping shafts have overlapping ends, and said means for controlling the axial movement and torsional backlash of said shafts is located at the junction of said overlapping ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A collapsible steering shaft assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said means further includes means for adjusting the axial preload of the shafts to a predetermined value so that the assembly will collapse when the axial force along the shafts exceeds this value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A collapsible steering shaft assembly, as defined in claim 4, wherein said support comprises two U-shaped sections separated by a space and said means for adjusting the axial preload includes a bolt which extends through the U-shaped sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A collapsible steering shaft assembly, as defined in claim 5, whrein one of said shafts is formed with a nib thereon in registry with the space between said sections and said bolt engages with nib on one side and abuts said support on the other side.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A collapsible steering shaft assembly, as defined in claim 6, wherein said nib is integral with the outer shafts and is located at the junction of overlap between said telescoping shaft ends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A collapsible steering shaft assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said two parallel axially aligned arms are in the form of a clamp with polygonal openings for receiving the respective corresponding polygonal shaft ends.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A collapsible steering shaft assembly, as defined in claim 8, wherein said polygonal ends of said shafts are formed with flat sides.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a collapsible steering shaft assembly; an outer shaft and an inner shaft; one end of said inner shaft having a polygonal cross section; one end of said outer shaft having a polygonal bore receiving the polygonal end of said inner shaft; and clamping means operatively connected to said inner shaft and to said outer shaft for controlling relative axial movement and torsional backlash between said shafts; said clamping means including a support, a pair of substantially parallel arms extending from said support, one of said arms being operably connected to said inner shaft, the other arm being operably connected to said outer shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a collapsible steering shaft assembly; an outer shaft and an inner shaft; one end of said inner shaft having a polygonal cross section; one end of said outer shaft having a polygonal bore receiving the polygonal end of said inner shaft; and clamping means operatively connected to said inner shaft and to said outer shaft for controlling relative axial movement and torsional backlash between said shafts; said clamping means including a support, a pair of substantially parallel arms extending from said support, one of said arms being operably connected to said inner shaft, the other arm being operably connected to said outer shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 10: said arms having openings therein with polygonal sides for mating engagement respectively with their corresponding inner and outer shafts, said openings being substantially coaxial.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 11: said support member being divided into two sections separated by a space, said arms being connected to each of said sections; a device adjustably connected between the sections of said support to adjust the width of said space and therefore the force vented on said shaft by said arms to thereby control the force required to move one of said shafts relative to the other shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |