Patent ID: 9365235
Filing Date: 2016-06-14
CPC Classification: B62D,F16F

Claim Text:
1. A steering column assembly comprising: a shroud which supports a steering column shaft, a support bracket assembly for use in fixing the shroud to a vehicle, the support bracket assembly comprising at least a first support bracket which is arranged to be fixed to the shroud through a releasable clamp assembly and to be fixed to a fixed part of the vehicle through at least one frangible capsule, and at least one energy absorbing device that acts between the first support bracket and the fixed part of the vehicle or the capsule and which in the event of a collapse of the steering column assembly that causes the capsule to break deforms so as to absorb energy and thereby at least partially control the collapse of the steering column assembly; wherein: the energy absorbing device comprises an elongate strip having two opposed ends and a central portion that interconnects the two ends that is wound into a coil with the two ends of the strip projecting away from the coil, a first end being secured to the first support bracket part and a second end being secured to the fixed part of the vehicle or the capsule, whereby in the event of a collapse of the steering column assembly following breaking of the capsule the two ends of the strip are pulled away from one another causing the coiled portion of the strip to at least partially become unwound thereby controlling the collapse of the steering column assembly.