Patent ID: 6170873
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
Apparatus for supporting an elongated steering column of an automotive vehicle in a position extending in a downward and forward direction with respect to the vehicle comprising,rigid vehicle support structure,a mounting bracket secured to the steering column,means connecting an upper portion of said mounting bracket to a first portion of said rigid vehicle support structure, said means comprising laterally spaced upper fasteners rigidly secured to said first portion of said vehicle support structure and extending through and connected to longitudinally extending upper slots in said upper portion of said mounting bracket,each of said upper fasteners including a capsule having a body portion provided with laterally spaced ribs extending into notches in opposite side walls of the associated upper slot to releasably anchor the capsule in a forward end portion of the associated upper slot,means connecting a lower portion of said mounting bracket to a second portion of said vehicle support structure comprising laterally spaced lower fasteners rigidly secured to said second portion of said vehicle support structure and extending through and connected to longitudinally extending lower slots in said lower portion of said mounting bracket,the connection of said upper fasteners to said upper slots and said lower fasteners to said lower slots being releasable in response to longitudinal collapse of the steering column in a frontal impact so that said mounting bracket is capable of collapsing with the steering column in said downward and forward direction,a pull loop assembly associated with each of said lower fasteners,each of said pull loop assemblies including an elongated, generally U-shaped strap of flexible, bendable material having a first leg connected at a first end thereof to one of said lower fasteners and a second leg spaced from the first leg thereof having an unattached free end,each of said straps having a return bent intermediate portion extending over a fixed part of said mounting bracket in sliding engagement therewith whereby when the bracket collapses with the steering column in a frontal impact the straps will unwind around and be pulled over the fixed part of the mounting bracket and thereby resist such collapse and absorb energy,said rigid vehicle support structure having a further portion which overlies said mounting bracket to resist upward displacement of said mounting bracket while permitting said mounting bracket to collapse with the steering column in said downward and forward direction.