Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Hand operated
Patent
1974-11-15
1976-03-16
Hermann, Allan D.
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Hand operated
188 1B, B62D 118
Patent
active
039437930
ABSTRACT:
A collapsible steering wheel column of the resettable type for motor vehicles that progressively absorbs the energy of an operator's body which is thrust upon the steering wheel in an accident or crash. The steering column includes two longitudinally extending and telescopically slidable coacting members. The members are held in a normal operating position by a resilient torus between their interface and are rotatably coupled to each other. The torus is set in a radially inwardly facing annular recess of the outer member while the inner circumference of the torus is received in an opposing radially outwardly facing annular recess of the inner member to maintain a normal operating position until a disengaging impact force occurs. The outer member carries a shock-absorbing resilient pad with a central bore that is axially and radially engaged by a tapered conical portion on the other member upon telescoping movement. The pad progressively cushions and absorbs the energy from the impact upon the steering wheel. The column is resettable to its normal operating position by pulling apart the telescopically slidable coacting members so that the inner circumference of the resilient torus is compressed back into the annular recess of the inner member.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2179959 (1939-11-01), Schroedter
patent: 2189870 (1940-02-01), Sluyter
patent: 2639626 (1953-05-01), Snyder
patent: 2819063 (1958-01-01), Neidhart
patent: 3483768 (1969-12-01), Glass
patent: 3583530 (1971-06-01), DeVenne
patent: 3699824 (1972-10-01), Staudenmayer
patent: 3744338 (1973-07-01), Komatsu et al.
patent: 3776062 (1973-12-01), Ito
patent: 3798994 (1974-03-01), Hollins
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Hermann Allan D.
Walters Ralph E.
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