GB1238060A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,238,060. Collapsible steering columns. CHRYSLER CORP. 20 Dec., 1968, No. 60741/68. Heading B7H. [Also in Division E2] Resilient plastics shoe members 78 for connecting a bracket 46 on the housing of a collapsible steering column to the structure of the vehicle each comprise slotted body portions 80, 82 for receiving portions of the bracket 46 on either side of an open-ended slot 74 formed therein, generally circular spring portions 122, 124 connecting the body portions with provision for relative flexing to accommodate misalignment of the sides of the slot 74, and a central aperture 100 for receiving a bolt 55 which secures the shoe member 78 and bracket 46 to a structural member 44 and carries a nut 56 and resilient frusto-conical 102 through which a clamping force is applied, to the body portions 80, 82 to create a frictional engaging force between the shoe member 78 and the bracket 46. Detents 108, 114 around the central opening 106 in the washer 102 and on the nut 56 cooperate to prevent unintentional loosening of the nut. Pointed fingers on the washer 102 bite into the shoe member 78 to spread apart the body portions 80, 82 and ensure engagement of the inner surfaces 92, 94 of the slots in the body portions and the edges of the slot 74. The shoe member 78 may be made of acetal resin. The bracket 46 is secured to the housing 16 by bolts 68, to a bracket 40 depending from a dash member 14 by two shoe members 78, and to another structural member (not shown) by a further shoe member 78. The housing 16 includes a collapsible convoluted portion 38 and a flange portion 32 which is bolted to a flange 30 attached to a floor panel 12 by bolts 36. A telescopic steering shaft 18 mounted in the housing 16 carries a steering wheel 20 at one end and is connected at the other to a steering gear assembly 22 through a coupling 24. If an axial impact load on the steering wheel 20 exceeds the combined frictional restraint of the shoe members 78 the bracket 46 slips relative to the shoe members to allow the upper part of the housing 16 to move downwardly and collapse the convoluted portion 38.