Patent ID: 6652002
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: B62D,F16F

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 in a vehicle collision, a base having a track provided with a surface for supporting the strap, a pocket in the surface of said track, means for relatively moving said strap and said base in a direction causing said strap to linearly traverse said pocket when the steering column collapses, reaction members spaced apart in the direction of relative movement of said strap and said base and positioned on opposite sides of the pocket for holding the strap on said track during such relative movement, and a displacement member in said pocket projecting above the surface of said track to displace a portion of said strap between said reaction members away from the surface of said track to resist such relative movement of the strap and base and thereby absorb energy.