Patent ID: 9145162
Filing Date: 2015-09-29
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A collapsible steering column assembly for a vehicle comprising: a shroud which surrounds a steering column shaft, a mounting bracket secured to or integral with a fixed part of the vehicle, a support bracket secured to the mounting bracket through one or more frangible connectors which are adapted to break when subject to a predefined load to permit the support bracket to move relative to the mounting bracket, a clamp mechanism which releasably secures the shroud to the support bracket, when unclamped the shroud being movable relative to the support bracket to permit the assembly to be adjusted for reach and when clamped the shroud being fixed in position relative to the support bracket, and a blocking part which is fixed in position relative to the mounting bracket and forms an integral part of the mounting bracket or a part of a component that is fixed rigidly to the mounting bracket and at least in an unclamped condition of the clamp mechanism provides an additional force path between the clamp mechanism and the mounting bracket that does not pass through the support bracket, whereby in the event that an axial load is applied to the steering assembly when the clamp mechanism is unclamped and has reached the end of its allowable travel at least some of the load is carried through the clamp mechanism and the blocking part to the mounting bracket along the additional force path so as to protect the frangible connectors from breaking.