Patent ID: 6371519
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
An energy-absorbing support system for a vehicle steering mechanism, comprising:an upper mounting bracket and a lower mounting bracket, said lower mounting bracket comprising a tubular casing; a steering shaft housing assembly supported conjointly by said mounting brackets, said shaft housing assembly comprising an upper housing member having a longitudinal axis, and a downwardly-extending socket on said axis; a tubular housing element seated in said socket and extending downwardly from said upper housing member into the casing of said lower mounting bracket, said tubular housing element arranged to accommodate a steering shaft extending downwardly from an attached steering wheel; releasable fastener means connecting said upper housing member to said upper mounting bracket, the fastener means arranged to release the upper housing member for downward movement in response to a crash event sufficient to impart a shock force to the steering wheel; and an annular friction ring rigidly mounted in said tubular casing and arranged to receive the tubular housing element therein, said friction ring comprising an annular inner surface having an inner diameter arranged relative to an outer diameter of the tubular housing element to exert a frictional gripping force on the tubular housing element sufficient enough to control velocity generated by the shaft housing assembly after release of said fastener means, as well as prevent rebound of the shaft housing assembly.