The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 03, 1995
Filed:
Mar. 03, 1993
Mikio Yamaguchi, Takasaki, JP;
Takahiro Saitoh, Maebashi, JP;
NSK Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A collapsible steering column apparatus comprises a steering column capable of receiving, a steering shaft having one end to which a steering wheel is fixed; and an energy absorbing member composed of a plastically deformable material and having its front end joined to a partial outer peripheral surface of the steering column and its rear end joined to a portion fixed to a vehicle body. The energy absorbing member is formed by punching out a sheet of metal plate to achieve a laterally undulating configuration with the extent of the undulations laterally of the energy absorbing member varying along its length. When applying an impulsive force to thrust the steering column forward due to a secondary shock in a collision, the energy absorbing member permits a forward displacement of the steering column while being plastically deformed in such a direction as to extend the undulations thereof.