Adaptive release capsule for steering column
First Claim
1. An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel in a vehicle comprising:
- a member for attachment to a vehicle;
a steering column connected to said member for sliding movement;
a capsule connecting said member and said steering column to one another to prevent said sliding movement between said member and said steering column up to a first predetermined level of force and to allow said siding movement between said member and said steering column in response to the first predetermined level of force acting on said steering column;
an adjusting device associated with said capsule for adjusting said capsule to allow sliding movement between said member and said steering column in response to a second predetermined level of force lower than the first predetermined level of force and said adjusting device includes a portion disposed between said capsule and said steering column and a moving device associated with said portion to move said portion relative to said capsule; and
said portion defines a first distance between said capsule and said steering column prior to movement and said moving device is operable to move said portion and decrease said first distance to a second distance.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for supporting a steering wheel in a vehicle during normal vehicle handling and is breakable in response to an impact situation. The apparatus includes a member attachable to a vehicle and a steering column connected to the member for sliding movement. The apparatus also includes a capsule for connecting the member and the steering column to one another to prevent the sliding movement during normal vehicle handling. The capsule maintains the member and the steering column relative to one another, overcoming forces urging movement between the member and the steering column relative to one another, up to a first predetermined level of force. When the forces reach the first predetermined level, such as in an impact situation, the capsule breaks and releases the member and the steering column relative to one another. The apparatus of the present invention also includes an adjusting device associated with the capsule for adjusting the capsule to break in response to a second predetermined level of force lower than the first predetermined level of force.
24 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel in a vehicle comprising:
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a member for attachment to a vehicle; a steering column connected to said member for sliding movement; a capsule connecting said member and said steering column to one another to prevent said sliding movement between said member and said steering column up to a first predetermined level of force and to allow said siding movement between said member and said steering column in response to the first predetermined level of force acting on said steering column; an adjusting device associated with said capsule for adjusting said capsule to allow sliding movement between said member and said steering column in response to a second predetermined level of force lower than the first predetermined level of force and said adjusting device includes a portion disposed between said capsule and said steering column and a moving device associated with said portion to move said portion relative to said capsule; and said portion defines a first distance between said capsule and said steering column prior to movement and said moving device is operable to move said portion and decrease said first distance to a second distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel in a vehicle comprising:
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a member for attachment to a vehicle; a steering column connected to said member for sliding movement; a capsule connecting said member and said steering column to one another to prevent relative sliding movement between said member and said steering column up to a first predetermined level of force and to allow said sliding movement between said member and said steering column in response to the first predetermined level of force acting on said steering column; a bolt having a bolt head and being engaged with said member wherein said steering column and said capsule are compressed between said bolt head and said member when said bolt is tightened; and an adjusting device associated with said capsule for adjusting said capsule to allow sliding movement between said member and said steering column in response to a second predetermined level of force lower than the first predetermined level of force. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification