Patent ID: 8979128
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A collapsible steering column assembly, comprising: a unitary column mounting bracket configured for mounting to a vehicle, the bracket having a front portion and a back portion, the front portion comprising a pair of spaced arms, each arm having an inner surface that opposes the inner surface of the other and an opposed outer surface; a steering column having a longitudinal axis and comprising an inner jacket that is slidably disposed within an inner surface of an outer jacket to longitudinally adjust a telescope position of the steering column, the outer jacket having an outer end and an inner end, the inner jacket slidably disposed in the inner end of the outer jacket, the outer end of the outer jacket pivotally attached about a tilt axis to the back portion of the column mounting bracket to pivotally adjust the steering column within the column mounting bracket to a rake position, an outer surface of the inner end of the outer jacket located adjacent to and pivotally, slidably disposed within the inner surfaces of the spaced arms; a locking device that passes through and is coupled to the spaced arms and the outer jacket, the locking device movable to lock or unlock the slidable disposition of the inner jacket within the outer jacket and the pivotal, slidable disposition of the outer surface and inner surfaces, by respective application or release of a predetermined clamping force to the outer surfaces of the arms, to respectively clamp or release the inner surfaces of the arms directly against the outer surface of the outer jacket, and inner surface of the outer jacket against an outer surface of the inner jacket, to fix the telescope position and the rake position of the steering column, the locking device and the outer surface of the outer jacket axially movable a predetermined axial distance from the inner surfaces of the arms while locked upon application of a predetermined release force to an exposed end of the inner jacket to provide separation of the outer surface of the outer bracket from the inner surfaces of the arms and release the application of the predetermined clamping force between the outer jacket and inner jacket, thereby allowing the inner jacket to collapse into the outer jacket upon application of the predetermined release force.