Abstract: An adjustable vehicle steering column is locked to a vehicle chassis by a remote-controlled electrically-operable locking arrangement that is carried by one end of a locking arm the other end of which is pivotally connected with the vehicle chassis. The locking arrangement has a locking axis that is parallel with and spaced a given distance from the pivot axis of the locking arm.

Abstract: An energy absorbing mechanism for collapsible vehicle steering column includes a deformable wire connected between the fixed and movable column members. The wire includes a straight portion connected at one end with the movable column member, and a second portion that is deformed around a cylinder that is secured to the fixed column member. A force generator is operable upon impact to apply laterally to the wire a controlled frictional force that is a function of various physical properties of the driver, the vehicle, or the environment, thereby to afford infinitely variable and modulatable energy absorption.

Abstract: A system for variable absorption of energy in the direction of the axis of an automobile vehicle steering column includes a steering shaft mounted in a body-tube connected to a mobile support member connected to a fixed support member fastened to the chassis of the vehicle and immobilized thereon up to a particular value. A coil is disposed on each side of the steering shaft and is connected to each of the fixed and mobile support members by a respective connecting pin A pyrotechnic displacement system operates selectively on a mobile retaining rod of each coil to modulate the absorption of energy in the event of an impact.

Abstract: An automobile vehicle steering system includes a steering column, a steering wheel and a steering rack for the steered wheels of the automobile vehicle. The steering column has an upper column part connected to the steering wheel and an intermediate column part connected to the steering rack for the steered wheels of the automobile vehicle. The intermediate column part consists of two connections, namely a mechanical connection and an electrical connection. The mechanical connection and the electrical connection are in parallel, so that the two connections are both connected to the end of the upper column part and to the steering rack and can function simultaneously under normal driving conditions. In the event of an electrical power failure the mechanical connection remains and is used to steer the automobile vehicle.

Abstract: A modulatable energy absorption device for an automobile vehicle steering column includes a number of coils of particular section, a mobile support guided by a fixed support fastened to the vehicle and locked to the fixed support with a particular clamping force, the coils being each connected to a retaining pin and to an attachment pin consisting of a fixed holding rod and two mobile holding rods moved along their axis by a pyrotechnic actuator so as to uncoil one or more coils in the event of an impact.

Abstract: A system for variable absorption of energy in the direction of the axis of an automobile vehicle steering column includes a steering shaft (1) mounted in a body-tube (2) connected to a mobile support member (9) connected to a fixed support member (8) fastened to the chassis of the vehicle and immobilized thereon up to a particular value. A coil (25) is disposed on each side of the steering shaft (1) and is connected to each of the fixed and mobile support members by a respective connecting pin (11, 12). A pyrotechnic displacement system (41, 42) operates selectively on a mobile retaining rod (32) of each coil (25) to modulate the absorption of energy in the event of an impact.

Abstract: In a system for adjusting the position of a first member relative to a second, support member regarded as fixed, the support member comprises a base having an upright at each of its two ends. The first member is inside the two uprights of the support member and the uprights are substantially parallel to the axis of the first member. The position adjustment system is locked in a chosen position by a clamping device, whose component parts are mounted on a clamping rod passing through the two uprights and whose axis is the clamping axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first member.

Abstract: A system for modulatable absorption of energy from an automobile vehicle steering column comprises a steering shaft mounted in a body-tube connected to a support assembly fixed to the chassis of the vehicle. The system for modulatable absorption of energy comprises a required number of windings with a particular section which are connected to a retaining pin device and to an anchor pin device. The anchor pin device comprises a holding rod which is moved along its axis by an electric actuator to select the number of windings concerned in the event of an impact.