Patent ID: 7942446

Claim:
A steering column assembly comprising: a steering column extending along an axis and including a first member having a steering wheel supporting end operable to engage a steering wheel and a second member telescopically engaged with said first member and having a pivot end defining a pivot point about which said steering column is rotatable, wherein said first member is telescopically moveable along a first predetermined collapse path relative to said second member in response to an impacting force acting on said steering wheel supporting end, and wherein said first predetermined collapse path is collinear with said axis; said steering column including a cam follower surface in fixed relation to said steering wheel supporting end; and a cam surface defining a guide slot that is spaced from said steering column and slidably engaging said cam-follower surface to define a second predetermined collapse path of said steering column in continuous fixed relation to said first predetermined collapse path, wherein said guide slot and said cam-follower surface cooperate during said telescopic movement of said steering column along said first predetermined collapse path to guide said first member and said second member of said steering column in rotation upwardly about said pivot point and to guide said steering wheel supporting end along said second predetermined collapse path.