Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Hand operated
Patent
1991-09-03
1992-05-26
Bonck, Rodney H.
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Hand operated
74492, 280777, 464162, 464167, B62D 118
Patent
active
051156911
ABSTRACT:
A longitudinally collapsible shaft assembly particularly for application as a steering shaft in energy absorbing steering columns. The shaft assembly includes a first shaft element having a tube end, a second shaft element having a bar end in the tube end, and a coupling which connects the bar and tube ends for unitary rotation without restraining the shaft elements longitudinally relative to each other. The coupling includes diametrically opposite longitudinal slots in the tube end and two longitudinally spaced pairs of diametrically opposite rollers on the bar end which roll along the side edges of the slots to minimize friction during longitudinal collapse. for transferring torque between the tube and bar ends in one direction, one pair of diametrically opposite rollers engages one pair of diagonally opposite side edges of the longitudinal slots. For transferring torque between the tube and bar ends in the opposite direction, the other pair of diametrically opposite rollers engages the other pair of diagonally opposite side edges of the longitudinal slots.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1791001 (1931-02-01), Rasmussen
patent: 2371330 (1945-03-01), Irstad
patent: 3001387 (1961-09-01), Schultz
patent: 3144785 (1964-08-01), Steiner et al.
patent: 3165942 (1965-01-01), Steiner et al.
patent: 3306127 (1967-02-01), Rieger
patent: 3491614 (1970-01-01), Saunders et al.
patent: 3580101 (1971-05-01), Jorgensen
patent: 4106311 (1978-08-01), Euler
patent: 4796481 (1989-01-01), Nolte
Bonck Rodney H.
General Motors Corporation
Schwartz Saul
LandOfFree
Collapsible shaft assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Collapsible shaft assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Collapsible shaft assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-412081