US4627306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorbing steering column for motor vehicles
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1985-01-07
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Granted: 1986-12-09
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Expires: 2005-01-07
Abstract
Abstract An energy absorbing steering column for a motor vehicle includes a vehicle body, an upper steering column tube, a lower steering column tube telescopically engaged with the upper steering column tube, a steering shaft rotatably suspended within the steering column and having a steering wheel secured to the rearward end of the shaft. A first means is provided for mounting the upper steering column tube to the body and for absorbing impact loads through plastic deformation as the column tubes move together axially. A second means is provided for securing the upper column tube to the lower column tube and for allowing the tubes to move axially relative to each other.
Inventors
- 👤 Karim Berenjian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:09
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/195
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An energy absorbing steering column comprising: an upper column tube; a lower column tube telescopically engaged with said upper column tube; a steering shaft rotatably suppended within said telescopically engaged lower and upper column tubes; a steering wheel secured to the rearward end of said steering shaft; first means for mounting said upper column tube to a vehicle body and for absorbing impact loads through plastic deformation as said column tubes move together axially; and second means for securing said upper column tube to said lower column tube and for allowing said tubes to move axially relative to each other inhibited only by said first means for an initial segment of travel, followed by one or more segments of travel characterized by inhibition resulting from the action of both of said means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An energy absorbing steering column comprising: an upper column tube; a lower column tube telescopically engaged with said upper column tube; a steering shaft rotatably suppended within said telescopically engaged lower and upper column tubes; a steering wheel secured to the rearward end of said steering shaft; first means for mounting said upper column tube to a vehicle body and for absorbing impact loads through plastic deformation as said column tubes move together axially; and second means for securing said upper column tube to said lower column tube and for allowing said tubes to move axially relative to each other inhibited only by said first means for an initial segment of travel, followed by one or more segments of travel characterized by inhibition resulting from the action of both of said means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a plastically deformable unitary bracket comprising a central section fixed to said upper column tube and two outlying mounting pads for fastening same to said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 2 wherein said mounting pads rotate about axes lying perpendicular to the central axis of said steering column during deformation of said bracket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 2 wherein said bracket further comprises bendable, energy absorption sections linking said central section to said mounting pads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 4 wherein each of said energy absorption sections has an arcuate shape with a radius of curvature which decreases as said mounting pads rotate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 5 wherein said mounting pads rotate in a common plane during deformation of said bracket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 1 wherein said second means comprises one or more shearable fasteners rigidly attached to one of said column tubes and slidably engaged with a longitudinal slot of defined length formed in the other of said column tubes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 7 wherein said shearable fastener comprises a self-locking, double headed nut.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 1 wherein said second means comprises two or more shearable fasteners rigidly attached to one of said column tubes with each fastener slidably engaged with a mating slot formed in the other of said column tubes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 9 wherein said slots extend different axial distances from each corresponding shearable fastener so as to cause said fasteners to be sheared during different segments of travel of said column tubes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 10 wherein said shearable fasteners comprise self-locking, double-ended nuts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 10 wherein said shearable fasteners are sheared by the rearward end walls of said slots.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
139 words
A motor vehicle including an energy absorbing steering column comprising: a vehicle body; an upper column tube; a lower column tube telescopically engaged with said upper column tube; a steering shaft rotatably suspended within said telescopically engaged lower and upper column tubes; a steering wheel secured to the rearward end of said steering shaft; first means for mounting said upper column tube to said vehicle body and for absorbing impact loads through plastic deformation as said column tubes move together axially; and second means for securing said upper column tube to said lower column tube and for allowing said tubes to move axially relative to each other inhibited only by said first means for an initial segment of travel, followed by one or more segments of travel characterized by inhibition resulting from the action of both of said means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
139 words
A motor vehicle including an energy absorbing steering column comprising: a vehicle body; an upper column tube; a lower column tube telescopically engaged with said upper column tube; a steering shaft rotatably suspended within said telescopically engaged lower and upper column tubes; a steering wheel secured to the rearward end of said steering shaft; first means for mounting said upper column tube to said vehicle body and for absorbing impact loads through plastic deformation as said column tubes move together axially; and second means for securing said upper column tube to said lower column tube and for allowing said tubes to move axially relative to each other inhibited only by said first means for an initial segment of travel, followed by one or more segments of travel characterized by inhibition resulting from the action of both of said means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 13 wherein said first means comprises a plastically deformable unitary bracket comprising a central section fixed to said upper column tube and two outlying mounting pads for fastening same to said body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 14 wherein said mounting pads rotate about axes lying perpendicular to the central axis of said steering column during deformation of said bracket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 14 wherein said bracket further comprises bendable, energy absorption sections linking said central section to said mounting pads.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 16 wherein each of said energy absorption sections has an arcuate shape with a radius of curvature which decreases as said mounting pads rotate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 17 wherein said mounting pads rotate in a common plane during deformation of said bracket.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 13 wherein said second means comprises one or more shearable fasteners rigidly attached to one of said column tubes and slidably engaged with a longitudinal slot of defined length formed in the other of said column tubes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 19 wherein said shearable fastener comprises a self-locking, double headed nut.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 13 wherein said second means comprises two or more shearable fasteners rigidly attached to one of said column tubes with each fastener slidably engaged with a mating slot formed in the other of said column tubes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 21 wherein said slots extend different axial distances from each corresponding shearable fastener so as to cause said fasteners to be sheared during different segments of travel of said column tubes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 22 wherein said shearable fasteners comprise self-locking, double-ended nuts.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The energy absorbing steering column of claim 22 wherein said shearable fasteners are sheared by the rearward end walls of said slots.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-08 | 1990-06-09 | 1990-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-08 | 1994-06-09 | 1994-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-08 | 1998-06-09 | 1998-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |