Collapsible vehicle steering column - has column sections joined by angle butt joints secured by impact absorbing sleeves

摘要

The collapsible steering column has at least three separate sections (8, 9) which are joined at angled butt joints with keyed surfaces to transmit torque. The outsides of the joints are braced by sleeves (16) for lateral support, with the sleeves distorted when the angled joints are slid aside under axial forces on the steering column. The safety joints are simple to construct, and with at least two joints the steering wheel is prevented from being pushed against the driver. To aid the impact absorbing property of the sleeves, they can be grooved on the outside to form splits when deformed.