Energy absorption element
First Claim
1. An energy absorption element adapted for connecting a vehicular steering wheel to a steering wheel shaft spaced apart axially from the steering wheel, said element comprising:
- a generally tubular body comprised of a plurality of support members extending axially for placement between the steering wheel and the steering wheel shaft; and
means comprising a radially outward bend in each of said support members for producing a radially outward collapse of said support members in response to an impact upon the steering wheel, each of said support members comprising a single X-shaped configuration with said radially outward bend being located in the area of intersection of the legs of the X-shaped configuration.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an energy absorption element adapted for connecting a vehicular steering wheel to a steering wheel shaft, comprising a generally tubular body comprised of a plurality of support members extending axially between the steering wheel and the steering wheel shaft, and means incorporated in the support members for producing a radially outward collapse of said support members in response to an impact upon the steering wheel. Preferably each support member comprises an X-shaped configuration having an outward bend located in the area of intersection of the legs of the X-shaped configuration.
18 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. An energy absorption element adapted for connecting a vehicular steering wheel to a steering wheel shaft spaced apart axially from the steering wheel, said element comprising:
-
a generally tubular body comprised of a plurality of support members extending axially for placement between the steering wheel and the steering wheel shaft; and means comprising a radially outward bend in each of said support members for producing a radially outward collapse of said support members in response to an impact upon the steering wheel, each of said support members comprising a single X-shaped configuration with said radially outward bend being located in the area of intersection of the legs of the X-shaped configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A steering wheel assembly, comprising:
-
(a) a steering wheel; (b) a steering wheel shaft spaced apart axially from said steering wheel; and (c) an energy absorption element connecting said steering wheel to said shaft, said energy absorption element comprising a generally tubular body comprised of a plurality of support members extending axially for placement betweeen the steering wheel and the steering wheel shaft; and means comprising a radially outward bend in each of said support members for producing a radially outward collapse of said support members in response to an impact upon the steering wheel, each of said support members comprising a single X-shaped configuration with said radially outward bend being located in the area of intersection of the legs of the X-shaped configuration.
-
Specification