Steering column support apparatus with shearable ribs
US5979860A · kind A · utility
24Cited by
11References
2Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D1/195
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A steering column in an automotive vehicle is supported by a stationary wall that carries two capsules on either side of the steering column. The steering column has an attachment wall that extends within the capsules. Each capsule has two support walls sandwiched around the attachment wall and a tubular connector joining the support walls together. Severable ribs are integral with the tubular connector and in contact with edge areas of the attachment wall, such that in a crash situation the steering column can collapse forwardly to minimize chest injury to the driver of the vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.