Patent ID: 6234040
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B62D,F16F,Y10T

Abstract:
A vehicle comprising:a receiver positioned in the vehicle and having an aperture formed therein with first and second gear racks at opposing sides of the aperture;a steering column armature assembly received within the receiver aperture and including first and second gears engaged with said first and second gear racks, respectively, in a manner to facilitate counter-rotation of the first and second gears as the steering column armature assembly is moved along the first and second gear racks, and wherein said first and second gears are selectively lockable together to prevent movement of the steering column armature assembly along the first and second gear racks; andwherein said first and second gears include an energy absorber positioned therebetween for dissipating energy when the first and second gears are forcibly displaced and counter-rotate with respect to each other in a high energy impact.