Safety couplings for automotive steering columns

Claim 2

A steering column for a motor vehicle adapted to uncouple the steering column from the steering box when lateral or axial forces are applied comprising: a pair of cranked elements of a steering column having cranked ends which overlap; a flange secured to the end of each of said cranked elements with each flange having an opening to accommodate the other cranked element; torque transmission members positioned between the flanges to allow rotational torque transmission between the two cranked elements; and a vibration damping member partially surrounding the two cranked elements between the two flanges and surrounding said torque tranSmission members whereby the pair of cranked elements are uncoupled when lateral or axial forces are applied.

Claim 3

A steering column according to claim 1 wherein said vibrational damping member contains bores of metal sockets through which the torque transmission members are inserted.

Claim 4

A steering column for a motor vehicle adapted to allow axial movement of an element connected to the steering box without axially moving another element which is adapted to be connected to the steering wheel comprising: a first cranked element having a socket attached to the cranked portion of the element; a second element with a torque transmission element secured thereto which is positioned within the socket of said first element; and vibrational damping members positioned between and rotatably solid with the outer surface of said torque transmission element and the inner surface of said socket to transmit rotatably torque between said two elements whereby axial movement of said second element does not axially move said first element.

Claim 5

A steering column for a motor vehicle adapted to allow axial movement of an element connected to the steering box without axially moving another element which is adapted to be connected to the steering wheel comprising: a first cranked element having a socket attached to the cranked portion of the element; a second element with a torque transmission element secured thereto which is positioned within the socket of said first element; and vibrational damping members positioned between and rotatably solid with the outer surface of said torque transmission element and the inner surface of said socket to transmit rotatably torque between said two elements whereby axial movement of said second element does not axially move said first element.

Claim 6

A steering column for a motor vehicle adapted to allow axial movement of an element connected to the steering box without axially moving another element which is adapted to be connected to the steering wheel comprising: a first element having an elongated torque transmitting socket member extending from the end of the element with longitudinally extending openings spaced around the periphery; a second element having a torque transmitting member secured to one end and positioned within the extended end of said socket member of said first element so that it is spaced from said first element; and vibrational damping members positioned between and rotatably solid with the inner surface of said socket and the external surface of said torque transmitting member and extending through the openings in the periphery of said socket to transmit rotatably torque between said two elements whereby axial movement of said first element does not axially move said second element.

Claim 7

A steering column for a motor vehicle adapted to allow axial movement of an element connected to the steering box without axially moving another element which is adapted to be connected to the steering wheel comprising: a first element having an elongated torque transmitting socket member extending from the end of the element with longitudinally extending openings spaced around the periphery; a second element having a torque transmitting member secured to one end and positioned within the extended end of said socket member of said first element so that it is spaced from said first element; and vibrational damping members positioned between and rotatably solid with the inner surface of said socket and the external surface of said torque transmitting member and extending through the openings in the periphery of said socket to transmit rotatably torque between said two elements whereby axial movement of said first element does not axially move said second element.