Patent ID: 6761376
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A steering column assembly comprising:an elongated steering column having a longitudinal centerline, a mounting bracket secured to the column, said mounting bracket including a generally vertically oriented plate provided with a rearwardly opening notch, a rigidly anchored shear capsule received in said notch, and a shear pin connecting said capsule and said plate normally resisting collapse of the steering column but adapted to shear upon an application of impact force on the column in a collision event in a direction to collapse the steering column to permit the steering column to collapse, and said notch has top and bottom edges which diverge in a rearward direction at a predetermined angle, and said capsule has top and bottom edges which diverge in a rearward direction at the same angle as the top and bottom edges of said notch and slideably engage the top and bottom edges of said notch, said top edge of the notch of said plate and the top edge of said capsule are parallel to a longitudinal center line of the steering column, and the bottom edge of the notch of said plate and the bottom edge of said capsule are disposed at an acute angle to the longitudinal center line.