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:
May. 05, 2009
Filed:
May. 31, 2005
Alan Porter, Canton, MI (US);
Alvin Matti, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
James Thornton, Canton, MI (US);
Alan Porter, Canton, MI (US);
Alvin Matti, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
James Thornton, Canton, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
Decoupler deflector devices and systems for automobile steering systems are provided. A decoupler deflector device in an automobile steering system can be connected to an upper intermediate shaft ('I-shaft') portion or an I-shaft joint. The decoupler device can be adapted to contact a lower I-shaft portion and rotate the upper I-shaft portion downwardly such that the upper I-shaft portion does not interfere with a collapsing steering column when subjected to loading from an automobile driver during a front-end collision impact event. The decoupler device can comprise a first end portion coupled to an upper I-shaft portion and an I-shaft joint; and a second end portion spaced apart from the first end portion to contact a lower I-shaft portion and rotate the upper I-shaft portion. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.