GB1196738A - Steering Column. - Google Patents

Abstract

1,196,738. Collapsible steering columns. ROOTES MOTORS Ltd. 15 Dec., 1967 [16 Sept., 1966], No. 41554/66. Heading B7H. [Also in Division F2] A steering column comprises two shaft parts 20, 21, one part 21, which bears or is arranged to bear a steering wheel 23, being telescopic relative to the other part 20 which is connectible to a steering mechanism of a vehicle, severable means 34 to prevent telescopic movement under normal axial loads on the part 21 but permit movement under heavier axial loads and means 6 providing frictional engagement between a movable and a fixed part 78 of the column and a deformable member 40 to absorb energy from the moving telescopic part. As shown in Fig. 1 the severable means comprises a flange 34 of a polyurethane or other plastics bush 26 which supports the column in and engages a supporting sleeve 28 and the deformable energy absorbing means comprises three spaced tapering grooves 40 in the sleeve 28 which distort or are distorted by the bush 26 on telescoping movement of the part 21. Alternatively the flutes be parallel, curved or helical. The end 28a of the sleeve 28 may be chamfered to provide a cutting edge (Fig. 9) and/or the flange 34 may be replaced by a series of radial projections engaging the complementary end of the sleeve 28. The energy absorbing means may comprise a tube with circumferential or helical convolutions arranged between the sleeve 28 and part 21 (Fig. 2, not shown) convolutions expanding frictionally engage the parts 21 and 28 when compressed axially.