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:
Jul. 07, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 26, 1996
Laurent Fevre, Saint-Sulpice, FR;
Jean-Christophe Bodin, Saint Ouen, FR;
Lemforder Nacam S.A., Vendome, FR;
Abstract
The column comprises a column body (1) mounted on the frame via brackets (5, 6) comprising openings (15, 16) for the passage of fixing elements (12) to the frame, and capsules (10, 11) enclosing the brackets and retained by the fixing elements (12). The openings comprise guiding surfaces (21) disposed two by two on both sides of a vertical plane (31) containing the axis (32) of the column. In the event of an impact occurring, the brackets integral with the column body (1) move with respect to the capsules fixed to the frame, the guiding surfaces (21) sliding into the capsules (10, 11). These movements absorb a portion of the energy due to the impact and the surfaces ensure the axial guiding of the column. The capsules are made of plastics and a metallic insert is inserted between the fixing elements and the capsules. The column is particularly useful for motor vehicles provided with an inflatable safety air bag should an impact occur.