Patent ID: 7896395

Claim:
A collapsible steering column assembly for use with a motor vehicle having a frame, said assembly comprising: a column jacket defining a longitudinal axis and adapted to be releasably coupled to the frame for movement along said axis; an anvil mounted to said column jacket; a stationary bracket adapted to be coupled to the frame for supporting said column jacket during normal operation of said column jacket and during an emergency condition with said column jacket moving relative to said stationary bracket; an absorbing strap having a first end engaged to said stationary bracket and a second end extending substantially along said axis with a portion between said ends being disposed about said anvil; and an actuator coupled to said stationary bracket and engaging said absorbing strap as said absorbing strap is being drawn over said anvil during an emergency condition for applying a resultant force required to move said column jacket relative to said stationary bracket during the emergency condition.