| 摘要 |
1,213,246. Collapsible steering columns. FORD MOTOR CO. Ltd. 25 Aug., 1969 [27 Aug., 1968], No. 42168/69. Heading B7H. The brackets 42, 44 connecting the tubular casing of a collapsible steering column to the support structure of a motor vehicle are more rigid along their length than at their ends to permit the brackets to bend at the ends when the column is collapsed under impact. For this purpose the central portions of the upper brackets are L-shaped and that of the lower bracket is channel shaped to provide the rigidity whereas at the junction to the support structure the ends of the brackets are merely flat plates which are capable of being relatively easily bent. The steering column has a central drive shaft carrying a collapsible member 16 attached to the steering wheel and a flexible connection 22 coupling the shaft through a universal joint to the usual steering gear. The gear change column surrounding the steering shaft has its lower assembly 28 in the form of collapsible metal straps so that they are able to be deformed when the steering column is collapsed. |
