Steering column for vehicle with multitube energy absorbing mast jacket

Claim 1

An energy absorbing steering column assembly for a vehicle comprising first, second and third telescopically related metallic tubes having first and second deformer units operatively mounted respectively between an upper and intermediate tube and between the intermediate and lower tubes, said first deformer unit comprising a first cylindrical sleeve having a complement of balls therein adjacent opposite ends thereof located at opposing diametrical positions of said first cylindrical sleeve, said second deformer unit comprising a second cylindrical sleeve having a complement of balls therein adjacent opposite ends thereof located at opposing diametrical positions of said second cylindrical sleeve and arcuately offset with respect to said complement of balls in said first cylindrical sleeve of said first deformer unit, said complement of balls in said first deformer unit rolling paths in the interfacing walls of said first and second tubes in a first stage of energy absorption upon application of a predetermined load telescopically collapsing said first and second tubes with respect to one another and said complement of balls in said second deformer unit rolling paths in the interfacing walls of said second and third tubes in a second stage of energy absorbing operation to provide optimized energy absorption stroke as said column assembly is collapsed from an extended position toward a fully telescoped position.