Patent ID: 6439607
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: B62D,F16F

Abstract:
An energy-absorbing support system for a vehicle steering mechanism, comprising:an overhead mounting member having a lower surface; a rigid one-piece shaft housing slidably engaging said lower surface; said one-piece housing having a lower end and an upper end, two spaced ears at said upper end, and a through bore extending between said upper end and said lower end, whereby said ears are adapted to hingedly support a vehicle steering wheel, and said bore is adapted to accommodate a steering shaft extending downwardly from the steering wheel; a shaft housing support bracket secured to the lower surface of said overhead mounting member; said bracket having an internal guide surface slidably encircling the lower end of said shaft housing; shearable fasteners interconnecting said support bracket and said shaft housing for normally holding the housing in a fixed position relative to the bracket; and an energy-absorbing means positioned to control movement of the shaft housing after said fasteners have been sheared, wherein said energy-absorbing means comprises a strip of bendable material anchored to said mounting member, and a crimp-former carried by said shaft housing, wherein said crimp-former comprises a wall having a semi-circular recess and a circular pin located within said recess; said strip of bendable material extending through a space between said pin and said semi-circular recess, so that during movement of said shaft housing successive areas of the strip move through said space.