Patent ID: 6324935
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A crash-responsive collapsible steering assembly comprising:a mounting bracket adapted for fixed disposition in an automotive vehicle;a tubular steering column extending through said mounting bracket; anda column-retention means carried on said bracket, said column-retention means being in a frictional engagement with said tubular steering column so that said column is normally motionless relative to said mounting bracket, and a molded plastic block including an opening sized to fit the steering column, said steering column having plural circumferentially-spaced raised surfaces, and said molded plastic block having plural mating depressions in the surface of said opening, whereby said raised surfaces have frictional engagement with said depressions;the frictional engagement between said raised surfaces and said depressions being such that in a crash situation the steering column is enabled to have limited axial motion through the molded plastic block.