US3748922A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorbing steering column
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1972-05-16
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1992-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A dual stage energy absorbing steering column includes a support jacket unit comprised of three concentrically arranged jacket members, the inner and intermediate ones of which include a deformer ball type of energy absorber responsive to a first level of impact force on the jacket unit to collapse and absorb energy, the outer jacket member including an energy absorbing plastically deformable section generally coextensive the length of the intermediate jacket member and crushable under some other level of impact force to absorb energy, releasable shear pins engaged between such outer and intermediate jacket members and of a strength selected to effect a desired order of occurrence of energy absorption as between the two energy absorbers.
Inventors
- 👤 R Farrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:31
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
182 words
An energy absorber comprising a first Tubular member, a second tubular member surrounding said first member and forming with the latter a telescopeable assembly, energy absorbing means connected between said first and second members and operative upon the application of predetermined force in a direction causing telescoping movement of such members to provide a first mode of energy absorption, a third tubular member surrounding said second member and at least coextensive therewith, means connecting one end portion of said third member with said second member against relative movement therebetween in said one direction, said third member including an energy absorbing portion subject upon the application of a predetermined force in said one direction to controlled plastic deformation for axial shortening of said third member in said one direction toward said one end portion thereof to provide a second mode of energy absorption, and releasable means connecting said third member with said second member against relative movement therebetween and releasable under a predetermined force selected to effect the order of occurrence of said first mode energy absorption and said second mode energy absorption.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
An energy absorber comprising a first Tubular member, a second tubular member surrounding said first member and forming with the latter a telescopeable assembly, energy absorbing means connected between said first and second members and operative upon the application of predetermined force in a direction causing telescoping movement of such members to provide a first mode of energy absorption, a third tubular member surrounding said second member and at least coextensive therewith, means connecting one end portion of said third member with said second member against relative movement therebetween in said one direction, said third member including an energy absorbing portion subject upon the application of a predetermined force in said one direction to controlled plastic deformation for axial shortening of said third member in said one direction toward said one end portion thereof to provide a second mode of energy absorption, and releasable means connecting said third member with said second member against relative movement therebetween and releasable under a predetermined force selected to effect the order of occurrence of said first mode energy absorption and said second mode energy absorption.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
199 words
An energy absorber comprising a first tubular member, a second tubular member surrounding said first member and forming with the latter a tleescopeable assembly, a plurality of deformer balls engaged between said first and second members with predetermined interference fit so that upon the application of predetermined force in a direction causing telescoping movement of such members said balls roll over the walls of such members and plastically deform such walls for a first mode of energy absorption, a third tubular member surrounding said second member and coextensive therewith, means connecting one end portion of said third member with said second member against relative movement therebetween in said one direction, said third member upon the application of a predetermined force in said one direction being subject to controlled plastic deformation for axial shortening of said third member in said one direction toward said one end protion thereof for a second mode of energy absorption, and releasable means connecting the other end portion of said third member with said second member against relative movement therebetween and releasable under a predetermined force selected to effect the order of occurrence of said first mode energy absorption and said second mode energy absorption.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
199 words
An energy absorber comprising a first tubular member, a second tubular member surrounding said first member and forming with the latter a tleescopeable assembly, a plurality of deformer balls engaged between said first and second members with predetermined interference fit so that upon the application of predetermined force in a direction causing telescoping movement of such members said balls roll over the walls of such members and plastically deform such walls for a first mode of energy absorption, a third tubular member surrounding said second member and coextensive therewith, means connecting one end portion of said third member with said second member against relative movement therebetween in said one direction, said third member upon the application of a predetermined force in said one direction being subject to controlled plastic deformation for axial shortening of said third member in said one direction toward said one end protion thereof for a second mode of energy absorption, and releasable means connecting the other end portion of said third member with said second member against relative movement therebetween and releasable under a predetermined force selected to effect the order of occurrence of said first mode energy absorption and said second mode energy absorption.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
288 words
In an energy absorbing collapsible steering column for automotive vehicles including a steering shaft interconnecting a steering wheel operable by the vehicle operator and the vehicle steering gear, support jacket means comprising a first lower support jacket member, a second lower support jacket member surrounding said first member and forming with the latter a telescopeable assembly, a plurality of deformer balls engaged between said first and second members with predetermined interference fit so that upon the application of predetermined force in a direction causing telescoping movement of such members said balls roll over the walls of such members and plastically deform such walls for a first mode of energy absorption, a third support jacket member surrounding said second member and extending to said steering wheel to support the same and the adjacent end of said steering shaft on the vehicle, at least coextensively therewith, means connecting one marginal end of said third member with said second member against relative movement therebetween in said one direction, said third member including an energy absorbing portion extending from said marginal end of said third member and confined within a distance of the latter defined between the ends of said coextensive second member, said energy absorbing portion upon the application of a predetermined force in said one direction being subject to controlled plastic deformation for axial shortening of said third member in said one direction toward said one marginal end thereof for a second modE of energy absorption, and releasable means connecting the other end portion of said third member with said second member and releasable under a predetermined force selected to effect the order of energy absorption between that of said first mode energy absorption and said second mode energy absorption.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
288 words
In an energy absorbing collapsible steering column for automotive vehicles including a steering shaft interconnecting a steering wheel operable by the vehicle operator and the vehicle steering gear, support jacket means comprising a first lower support jacket member, a second lower support jacket member surrounding said first member and forming with the latter a telescopeable assembly, a plurality of deformer balls engaged between said first and second members with predetermined interference fit so that upon the application of predetermined force in a direction causing telescoping movement of such members said balls roll over the walls of such members and plastically deform such walls for a first mode of energy absorption, a third support jacket member surrounding said second member and extending to said steering wheel to support the same and the adjacent end of said steering shaft on the vehicle, at least coextensively therewith, means connecting one marginal end of said third member with said second member against relative movement therebetween in said one direction, said third member including an energy absorbing portion extending from said marginal end of said third member and confined within a distance of the latter defined between the ends of said coextensive second member, said energy absorbing portion upon the application of a predetermined force in said one direction being subject to controlled plastic deformation for axial shortening of said third member in said one direction toward said one marginal end thereof for a second modE of energy absorption, and releasable means connecting the other end portion of said third member with said second member and releasable under a predetermined force selected to effect the order of energy absorption between that of said first mode energy absorption and said second mode energy absorption.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3470761A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |