Patent ID: 6189929
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: B62D,F16F

Abstract:
An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:a first steering column part;a second steering column part;said first steering column part and the vehicle steering wheel being supported for movement relative to said second steering column part;an energy absorbing device interposed between said first steering column part and said second steering column part for resisting movement of said first part relative to said second part, said energy absorbing device comprising at least one bendable strap that bends to absorb energy in response to relative movement between said first steering column part and said second steering column part; anda member movable across the width of said at least one bendable strap to vary the rate of bending of said at least one bendable strap to vary the resistance to movement of said first steering column part relative to said second steering column part.