摘要 |
Described is a break-away bracket (102) comprising a bracket shell (111) having a central channel (132) and sidewalls (120 and 123) having outwardly extending flanges (126 and 129), a clip (150 and 153) extending over at least a portion of each flange (126 and 129), and a plurality of exterior reinforcing plastic ribs (180) attached to the exterior (117) of the bracket shell (111). Each clip/flange assembly of the break-away bracket has at least one shearable pin (177), e.g., a shearable plastic pin, extending therethrough. The exterior ribs (180) are preferably formed by the molding, e.g., injection molding, of plastic material onto the exterior surfaces (117) of the bracket shell (111). The exterior ribs (180) are preferably attached to the bracket shell (111) by means of molded on plastic extending through and embedding the edges of perforations in the bracket shell. Also described is a steering column assembly comprising the break-away bracket of the present invention, and a steering column residing within the central channel of the break-away bracket.
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