Vehicular safety arrangement for driver's seat
US4978138A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 6, 1989 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 6, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/045
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A safety arrangement for a driver's seat in an automotive vehicle having a steering column extending to the driver's seat. The safety arrangement is comprised of a column bracket to which the steering column is secured. The column bracket is slidably secured to a sliding block 5 fixed to vehicle body side. The column bracket is put into a slidable condition under the action of a solenoid when a driver is restrained by a seat belt, while into a fixed condition under the action of the solenoid when the driver is released from the seat belt. The column bracket is moved forward together with the steering column when an impact force is applied to a knee protector, thereby absorbing impact energy while withdrawing the steering column. Even under the fixed condition of the column bracket, an impact force applied to the steering column can be effectively absorbed by an energy absorbing mechanism provided between the steering column and the column bracket.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.