Patent ID: 7510213
Filing Date: 2009-03-31
Classification: B62D,F16F

Abstract:
1. A steering column assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a steering column operable to adjustably support a steering wheel in the vehicle and moveable along a path for collapsing movement relative to a vehicle in response to an impact situation; an energy absorber for dissipating energy associated with said collapsing movement of said steering column along said path and including an anvil fixedly disposed relative to one of said steering column and said path and a first strap drawable over said anvil and substantially fixedly disposed relative to the other of said steering column and said path, the first strap having a first side and a second side, the first strap having an open slot at one end, the energy absorber also including a second strap fixedly disposed relative to one of said steering column and said path for dissipating energy associated with said collapsing movement of said steering column along said path, the second strap having a first side and a second side and an aperture at one end, the first side of the second strap being positioned adjacent the second side of the first strap; and at least one quick release bolt having a shank portion and a head portion, the shank portion being fixedly coupled to a structure of the vehicle, the at least one quick release bolt having an engaged position in which the head portion and the structure have a first distance therebetween and a released position in which the head portion and the structure have a second distance therebetween, the second distance being greater than the first distance, the shank portion being located through the aperture of the second strap such that the shank portion is engaged with said second strap when the at least one quick release bolt is in the engaged position and in the released position, the shank portion being engaged with said first strap to selectively release said first strap such that the first strap is clamped between the head portion and the structure of the vehicle when the at least one quick release bolt is in the engaged position and the first strap is released with respect to the vehicle when the at least one quick release bolt is in the released position.