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:
Sep. 08, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 21, 1997
Robert M Thomas, South Lyon, MI (US);
Chrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
An automotive vehicle steering column assembly includes an elongated collapsible steering column, a lower support for the lower end portion of the steering column and an upper support for the upper end portion of the steering column. The lower support comprises a bracket connected to vehicle support structure and constructed to absorb energy and guide movement of the lower end portion of the steering column when the steering column collapses in a frontal impact. The upper support comprises a swing unit for controlling the movement of the upper end portion of the steering column when it collapses. The swing unit comprises a lock mechanism including a rod slidable in a tubular housing. The rod is connected to the upper end portion of the steering column and can be locked in adjusted position within the housing depending on the tilt desired. A swing arm has one end portion rotatably received in a fixed mounting block, to which the housing of the lock mechanism is connected. A torque bar in the block has a non-rotatable connection to the first end of the swing arm to resist rotation thereof.