Patent ID: 6769715
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column of a vehicle, comprising:an elongated, plastically deformable strap for resisting the collapse of the steering column, spaced apart supports for supporting one side of the strap at longitudinally spaced points, an anvil engageable with an opposite side of the strap between said supports, said strap and said anvil being relatively moveable to cause said strap to advance linearly across said supports and said anvil when the steering column collapses, and an anvil support mechanism selectively operable a) to maintain said anvil in an extended position in which said anvil displaces a portion of the strap between the supports into a V-shape of a given angle to increase the energy required to advance said strap and thereby increase the resistance of said strap to the collapse of the steering column, or B) to release said anvil from said extended position, said anvil being in the form of a pin and said holder comprising spindles releasably engagable engageable with opposite ends of said pin, said anvil support mechanism comprising a holder for releasably holding said anvil.