US3822608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorbing steering assembly
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1972-05-25
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1992-05-25
Abstract
Abstract An energy absorbing steering assembly for a motor vehicle having a steering column supporting assembly for supporting the steering column substantially at a right angle from the instrument panel of the vehicle and a steering wheel supporting assembly being able to forwardly deflect. The steering column supporting assembly is enabled to buckle to absorb forward impact energy when an impact force is exerted onto the steering wheel and the steering wheel supporting assembly functions to absorb further the forward impact energy in addition to the buckling operation of the steering column supporting assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 G Murase
- 👤 H Mineda
- 👤 Y Yamaguchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:36
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/195; B65; B65D; B65D2571/00; B65D2571/00006; B65D2571/00012; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In a vehicle having a steering column assembly, including a steering shaft, steering gear means, means flexibly coupling said shaft vertically to said gear means for forward pivotal movement of said shaft, and a column tube having said steering shaft journalled therein and permitting said forward pivotal movement of said shaft, apparatus for supporting said steering column assembly, comprising: a support structure coupled at its front part to the body structure of said vehicle and at its rear part to said steering column tube, said steering assembly support structure including an impact energy absorbing member having a longitudinally and transversely wave-shaped configuration plastically deformed forwardly by impact energy exerted thereon directly from said steering column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a vehicle having a steering column assembly, including a steering shaft, steering gear means, means flexibly coupling said shaft vertically to said gear means for forward pivotal movement of said shaft, and a column tube having said steering shaft journalled therein and permitting said forward pivotal movement of said shaft, apparatus for supporting said steering column assembly, comprising: a support structure coupled at its front part to the body structure of said vehicle and at its rear part to said steering column tube, said steering assembly support structure including an impact energy absorbing member having a longitudinally and transversely wave-shaped configuration plastically deformed forwardly by impact energy exerted thereon directly from said steering column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
A steering column supporting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steering column supporting assembly includes a column stay, means securing the rear end portion of said column stay on said steering column and means releasably mounting the front end portion of said column stay on a portion of the instrument panel of the vehicle; and wherein said impact energy absorbing member comprises metal meshes having a waved configuration, said metal meshes being supported at respective end portions by the rear portions of said column stay and a portion of the instrument panel, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
A steering column supporting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a further support member mounted on said instrument panel; and a guide rod positioned longitudinally along said column stay with its rear end connected to the rear portion of said stay and its front end slidably engaged with said further support member provided on the instrument panel; and wherein said metal meshes forming said impact energy absorbing member surround said guide rod, whereby buckling of said metal meshes absorbs the forward impact energy and said guide rod guides the buckling direction of said metal meshes and the forward displacement of said stay.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A steering column supporting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for releasably mounting the front end portion of said stay on the portion of the instrument panel comprises a pair of capsules secured under the instrument panel to receive respectively the both sides of the front portion of said stay and a pair of securing elements to adhere on the interiors of said capsules for receiving said stay.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A steering column supporting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for releasably mounting the front end of said stay on the portion of the instrument panel comprises a pair of capsules secured under the instrument panel of the vehicle to receive respectively the both sides of the front portion of said column stay and a pair of shearable pins holding said both sides of said column stay within said capsules.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A steering column supporting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said impact energy absorbing member comprises a forwardly plastically deformable column stay which is secured respectively on said steering column and a portion of the instrument panel of the vehicle at the both ends thereof, said column stay having a waved supporting portion and waved side walls and forming by itself said steering column supporting assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A steering column supporting apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said column stay is formed with a pressed sheet metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A steeriNg column supporting apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said column stay includes thereon at least one transverse slit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |