Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Gagan Tandon

Mirjana Jurik

Rodney L Eaton

Kurt E Hofmeister

Apparatus for supporting a steering column of an automotive vehicle includes an upper mounting bracket secured to rigid vehicle support structure by capsules which release in response to longitudinal collapse of the steering column in a frontal impact. The upper mounting bracket is secured to and moves with the steering column during its collapse. A lower mounting bracket is rigidly secured to the vehicle support structure. Flexible, bendable U-shaped straps connect the upper mounting bracket to the lower mounting bracket to gradually resist collapse of the steering column and prevent excessive reaction forces of the steering column against a driver. The vehicle support structure overlies the upper mounting bracket to resist upward displacement during collapse with the steering column.

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Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Gagan Tandon