Connection between steering column and motor vehicle body
US5953961A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16B5/0258
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A connection between a collapsible mast jacket of an energy absorbing steering column and a body of a motor vehicle including a mounting bracket on the mast jacket having an attachment flange perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the steering column, an aperture in the attachment flange, a plastic bushing captured in the aperture, and a fastener operative to rigidly clamp the plastic bushing to the body of the motor vehicle. The plastic bushing fractures in response to an impact on the steering column to release the mounting bracket. In a preferred embodiment, retention between the attachment flange and the plastic bushing is effected by an edge of the aperture in the attachment flange seated in an annular outside groove in the plastic bushing. A plurality of linear slots in the plastic bushing divide the plastic bushing into a plurality of cantilever spring segments which flex inward when the bushing is pushed into the aperture in the attachment flange and which snap out when the annular slot in the bushing registers with the peripheral edge of the aperture in the attachment flange.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.