Patent ID: 6099037
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: B62D,F16F

Abstract:
A collapsible shaft, for a steering column of a motor vehicle, having a predetermined collapse load, said collapsible shaft including an inner shaft member having a non-circular cross-section and an outer tube member having a non-circular cross-section congruent with that of said inner shaft member and slidably overlaying said inner shaft, comprising:means for yieldably retaining said inner shaft member in a fixed axial position in said outer tube member until acted upon by a predetermined force, said means comprising an undercut portion, having a length ""L"" and a depth ""D"", on at least one lateral face of said inner shaft member, at least one arcuate spring member, having an arc length substantially equal to ""L"", fitted into said at least one undercut portion such that the arc of said spring member projects sufficiently beyond the flat face of said inner shaft member that, when compressed during insertion of said inner shaft into said outer tube member, said spring member is stressed slightly above its elastic limit and has its ends substantially butted against the ends of the undercut portion and interferes, to a predetermined degree, with movement of said inner shaft member in said outer tube member.