| 摘要 |
1,244,598. Collapsible steering columns. GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 14 May, 1970 [27 May, 1969], No. 23461/70. Heading B7H. [Also in Division F2] An energy-absorbing deformable pot 32 for inclusion in a motor vehicle steering column assembly (Fig. 2, not shown), comprises a waisted tube whose spaced annular end portions are joined by first and second sets of strips 42, 44 alternating circumferentially around the tube, the strips 44 of the second set extending, at the waist, to a lesser radial distance from the central axis of the tube end portions than the strips 42 of the first set. Adjacent strips are separated by longitudinal slits 40 which widen at the waist. During axial collapse of the pot the strips buckle at the waist such that each strip 42 is overlapped partly by a pair of adjacent strips 44. The strips make interference engagement which results in strips 44 being placed in tension due to intrusion into their folds of strips 42, while strips 42 are correspondingly placed in compression. The pot may be disposed between the steering wheel (16) and shaft (38), or concentrically with the shaft. |
