US3811337A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorbing steering column for motor vehicles
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1973-04-04
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1993-04-04
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to an energy absorbing steering column for a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a column that is constructed to collapse in a controlled manner under an impact load against the steering wheel and thereby absorb the kinetic energy of the impact. According to a preferred embodiment, the steering column includes a piston device that is constructed to displace the steering column and steering wheel rearwardly when subjected to a compressed gas. A compressed gas source is connected through an inertia sensitive valve to the steering column whereby the compressed gas is conveyed to the column in response to extreme vehicle deceleration such as might occur in a collision. Thus, when the vehicle strikes an object, the compressed gas released to the steering column will extend the column rearwardly and increase the distance through which the column may collapse to absorb the kinetic energy of an object striking the steering wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 W Allison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:26
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/197
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
An energy absorbing steering column for a motor vehicle having means constructed to normally support said column in a forward first position, inertia sensitive means constructed to displace said column rearwardly to a second position when subjected to a rate of deceleration that exceeds a predetermined minimum value, energy absorbing means constructed to resist the forward displacement of said steering column assembly from said second position toward said first position when said steering column is subjected to an impact load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
An energy absorbing steering column for a motor vehicle having means constructed to normally support said column in a forward first position, inertia sensitive means constructed to displace said column rearwardly to a second position when subjected to a rate of deceleration that exceeds a predetermined minimum value, energy absorbing means constructed to resist the forward displacement of said steering column assembly from said second position toward said first position when said steering column is subjected to an impact load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
An energy absorbing steering column according to claim 1 and including: said inertia sensitive means including an expansible chamber device, a compressed gas source and, an inertia sensitive pressure release device connecting said source to said chamber, said inertia sensitive device being constructed to direct pressurized gas from said source to said expansible chamber device in response to a rate of deceleration that exceeds a predetermined minimum value, said expansible chamber device being constructed to displace said steering column to said second position in response to said pressurized gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An energy absorbing steering column according to claim 2 and including: said expansible chamber device including a piston means engaging said steering column, said piston means being constructed to displace said column rearwardly to said second position when exposed to gas pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
159 words
An energy absorbing steering column for a motor vehicle comprising: a steering column tube, a cylindrical member constructed to be secured to the fire wall of said vehicle, said cylindrical member and said column tube defining a portion of an annular expansible chamber, an annular piston fitted in said chamber and in sealed engagement with said column tube and said cylindrical member, a plurality of deforming means supported by said annular piston and engaging said column tube, a compressed gas source and means connecting said source to said expansible chamber, said connecting means including an inertia sensitive pressure release means, said pressure release means being constructed to provide communication of a pressurized gas from said source to said chamber, said annular piston being constructed to displace said column tube rearwardly in response to pressurized gas in said chamber, said deforming means being constructed to deform said column tube when said steering column is displaced forwardly under an impact load.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
159 words
An energy absorbing steering column for a motor vehicle comprising: a steering column tube, a cylindrical member constructed to be secured to the fire wall of said vehicle, said cylindrical member and said column tube defining a portion of an annular expansible chamber, an annular piston fitted in said chamber and in sealed engagement with said column tube and said cylindrical member, a plurality of deforming means supported by said annular piston and engaging said column tube, a compressed gas source and means connecting said source to said expansible chamber, said connecting means including an inertia sensitive pressure release means, said pressure release means being constructed to provide communication of a pressurized gas from said source to said chamber, said annular piston being constructed to displace said column tube rearwardly in response to pressurized gas in said chamber, said deforming means being constructed to deform said column tube when said steering column is displaced forwardly under an impact load.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising: a forward column tube, a rearward column tube and means interconnecting said tubes, said tubes being normally arranged at an obtuse angle, support means supporting said tubes and constructed to be connected to vehicle body structure, an articulated steering shaft assembly rotatably supported in said column tubes, a steering wheel connected to the rearward end of said steering shaft assembly, an annular expansible chamber device, a fluid pressure source and means connecting said source to said expansible chamber device, said connecting means including an inertia sensitive pressure release means, said pressure release means being constructed to provide communication of a pressurized fluid from said source to said chamber device, said chamber device being constructed to displace said forward column tube rearwardly in response to fluid pressure from said source, said support means being constructed to position said rearward tube in axial alignment with said forward tube in response to the rearward displacement of said forward tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
165 words
A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprising: a forward column tube, a rearward column tube and means interconnecting said tubes, said tubes being normally arranged at an obtuse angle, support means supporting said tubes and constructed to be connected to vehicle body structure, an articulated steering shaft assembly rotatably supported in said column tubes, a steering wheel connected to the rearward end of said steering shaft assembly, an annular expansible chamber device, a fluid pressure source and means connecting said source to said expansible chamber device, said connecting means including an inertia sensitive pressure release means, said pressure release means being constructed to provide communication of a pressurized fluid from said source to said chamber device, said chamber device being constructed to displace said forward column tube rearwardly in response to fluid pressure from said source, said support means being constructed to position said rearward tube in axial alignment with said forward tube in response to the rearward displacement of said forward tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
208 words
An energy absorbing steering column for a motor vehicle comprising: a forward column tube, a rearward column tube and means interconnecting said tubes, said tubes being normally arranged at an obtuse angle, a bendable bracket supporting said tubes and constructed to be connected to vehicle body structure, an articulated steering shaft assembly rotatably supported in said column tubes, a steering wheel connected to the rearward end of said steering shaft assembly, a cylindrical member constructed to be secured to the fire wall of said vehicle, said cylindrical member and said forward tube defining a portion of an annular expansible chamber, an annular piston fitted in said chamber and in sealed engagement with said forward tube and said cylindrical member, a compressed gas source and means connecting said source to said expansible chamber, said connecting means including an inertia sensitive pressure release means, said pressure release means being constructed to provide communication of a pressurized gas from said source to said chamber, said annular piston being constructed to displace said forward column tube rearwardly in response to pressurized gas in said chamber, said bendable bracket being constructed to position said rearward tube in axial alignment with said forward tube in response to the rearward displacement of said forward tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
208 words
An energy absorbing steering column for a motor vehicle comprising: a forward column tube, a rearward column tube and means interconnecting said tubes, said tubes being normally arranged at an obtuse angle, a bendable bracket supporting said tubes and constructed to be connected to vehicle body structure, an articulated steering shaft assembly rotatably supported in said column tubes, a steering wheel connected to the rearward end of said steering shaft assembly, a cylindrical member constructed to be secured to the fire wall of said vehicle, said cylindrical member and said forward tube defining a portion of an annular expansible chamber, an annular piston fitted in said chamber and in sealed engagement with said forward tube and said cylindrical member, a compressed gas source and means connecting said source to said expansible chamber, said connecting means including an inertia sensitive pressure release means, said pressure release means being constructed to provide communication of a pressurized gas from said source to said chamber, said annular piston being constructed to displace said forward column tube rearwardly in response to pressurized gas in said chamber, said bendable bracket being constructed to position said rearward tube in axial alignment with said forward tube in response to the rearward displacement of said forward tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
An energy absorbing steering column according to claim 6 and including: a forward portion of said steering shaft assembly being of telescopic construction, a plurality of deforming means supported by said annular piston and engaging said forward tube, said deforming means being constructed to deform said forward tube when said steering column is displaced forwardly under an impact load against said steering wheel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2899214A
Cited
US2852958A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |