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:
Feb. 20, 2007
Filed:
May. 06, 2004
Xiaoyu LI, Saginaw, MI (US);
John F. Schulz, Hemlock, MI (US);
Tracy L. Zehnder, Frankenmuth, MI (US);
Richard K. Riefe, Saginaw, MI (US);
David M. Byers, Saginaw, MI (US);
Xiaoyu Li, Saginaw, MI (US);
John F. Schulz, Hemlock, MI (US);
Tracy L. Zehnder, Frankenmuth, MI (US);
Richard K. Riefe, Saginaw, MI (US);
David M. Byers, Saginaw, MI (US);
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for supporting a steering wheel in a vehicle during normal vehicle handling and is breakable in response to an impact situation. The apparatus includes a member attachable to a vehicle and a steering column connected to the member for sliding movement. The apparatus also includes a capsule for connecting the member and the steering column to one another to prevent the sliding movement during normal vehicle handling. The capsule maintains the member and the steering column relative to one another, overcoming forces urging movement between the member and the steering column relative to one another, up to a first predetermined level of force. When the forces reach the first predetermined level, such as in an impact situation, the capsule breaks and releases the member and the steering column relative to one another. The apparatus of the present invention also includes an adjusting device associated with the capsule for adjusting the capsule to break in response to a second predetermined level of force lower than the first predetermined level of force.