Abstract: A telescoping steering column having a lower jacket extending along a central axis between a lower jacket lower end and a lower jacket upper end and an upper jacket extending along the central axis between an upper jacket lower end and an upper jacket upper end, with an actuator configured to impart a pressure between the lower jacket and the upper jacket to move the upper jacket from an extended operating position to a retracted stowed position.

Abstract: A telescoping steering column having a lower jacket extending along a central axis between a lower jacket lower end and a lower jacket upper end and an upper jacket extending along the central axis between an upper jacket lower end and an upper jacket upper end, with an actuator configured to impart a pressure between the lower jacket and the upper jacket to move the upper jacket from an extended operating position to a retracted stowed position.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle having an outer jacket and an inner jacket slideably disposed within the outer jacket along a longitudinal axis for telescoping movement. A pivot pin is coupled to the outer jacket and defines a pin axis. A pawl is disposed about the pivot pin and is rotatable about the pin axis between and engaged position engaging the inner jacket for preventing the telescoping movement and a disengaged position disengaging the inner jacket for allowing the telescoping movement. An actuator is mounted to the pivot pin for concurrent rotation with the pivot pin about the pin axis and is coupled to the pawl for moving the pawl between the engaged and disengaged positions in an opposing rotational direction from the concurrent rotation of the pivot pin and the actuator.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column having a selectively collapsible structure that enables said column to collapse in the event of an impact force resulting from a vehicle crash. An adaptive energy absorbing device is associated with said column and operates in a first condition to absorb a first level of energy of the collapsing column and in a second condition to absorb a second level of energy of the collapsing column. The assembly includes a telltale detection device that is associated with the adaptive energy absorbing device and is responsive to a change in condition of the energy absorbing device prior to a collapse event to provide a signal to a user of the condition of the energy absorbing device.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle having an outerjacket and an inner jacket slideably disposed within the outer jacket along a longitudinal axis for telescoping movement. A pivot pin is coupled to the outerjacket and defines a pin axis. A pawl is disposed about the pivot pin and is rotatable about the pin axis between and engaged position engaging the innerjacket for preventing the telescoping movement and a disengaged position disengaging the inner jacket for allowing the telescoping movement. An actuator is mounted to the pivot pin for concurrent rotation with the pivot pin about the pin axis and is coupled to the pawl for moving the pawl between the engaged and disengaged positions in an opposing rotational direction from the concurrent rotation of the pivot pin and the actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of operation dissipates energy associated with the telescopic collapse of preferably two steering column members. The first and second steering column members are moveable relative to one another along a collapse path. At least one anvil is fixed with one of the first and second steering column members. A strap extends along a bent path around the at least one anvil to first and second free ends. The apparatus also includes a lock device operative in a first condition to restrain the first free end with respect to the first steering column member and in a second condition to release the first free end of the strap.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for absorbing energy in a collapsible steering column of a vehicle. A portion of the apparatus is deformable in response to an excessive frontal impacting force to the steering column so that injury to the vehicle operator is reduced. The apparatus includes a first steering column member and a second steering column member connected to one another such that the first steering column member slides relative to the second steering column member. The apparatus also includes a first anvil associated with a said first steering column member and a second anvil associated with said second steering column member. The apparatus also includes an energy absorbing member having a first portion extending around and operable to be drawn over said first anvil and a second portion extending around and operable to be drawn over said second anvil.

Abstract: An apparatus for absorbing energy includes first and second steering column members connected for sliding movement. A first anvil is associated with one of the first and second steering column members and an energy absorbing member is provided having a first portion that extends around and operable to be drawn over the first anvil in response to the sliding movement between the first and second steering column members. A dead loop is formed in the energy absorbing member between its mounting location and the first anvil and is operative to enable the dead loop to straighten in response to application of an applied force prior to movement of the energy absorbing member across the first anvil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for absorbing energy. The energy absorbing device includes an anvil movable relative to a spaced axis. The anvil defines a plurality of profiles corresponding to different rates of energy absorption. The plurality of profiles are radially adjacent to one another with respect to axis. The anvil can be moved by explosive charges. For example, the anvil can define a follower portion adjacent a first explosive charge and move in response to an explosion of the first explosive charge.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a compression bracket for attachment to a vehicle body, and an adjustable steering column assembly movably supported by the compression bracket along a longitudinal axis between adjusted positions. A pair of locking elements are operably connected to the compression bracket and movable between a locked position for preventing longitudinal movement therebetween and a release position for allowing longitudinal adjustment of the steering column. The first element presents a detent recess, and the second locking element is movable between the locked position engaging the detent recess and the release position out of engagement with the detent recess.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for absorbing energy in a collapsible steering column. The energy absorbing device includes an anvil rotatable relative to a strap. The anvil defines a plurality of profiles corresponding to different rates of energy absorption. The plurality of profiles are radially adjacent to one another about the rotational axis of the anvil. The anvil can be rotated by explosive charges. For example, the anvil can define a follower portion and first and second explosive charges can be disposed on opposite sides of the follower portion.

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly (20) providing variable energy absorption from an energy transmitting component (10) is mounted upon a mounting bracket (16) for mounting the energy absorbing assembly (20) to the energy transmitting component (10). An elongated strap (22) immovably secured at a first end (24) absorbs energy received from the energy transmitting component (10) during a collision. Cooperating anvils (30A,B) are slidably received by the mounting bracket (16) and the elongated strap (22) is interwoven between the anvils (30). The anvils (30A,B) include generally parallel axes (a) along which each anvil (30A, 30B) defines stepped diameters (A,B,C,D), and are slidable along the axes (a) in response to a predetermined force to provide variable energy absorption relative to the stepped diameters (A,B,C,D).

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly providing variable energy absorption from an energy transmitting component is mounted upon a mounting bracket for mounting the energy absorbing assembly to the energy transmitting component. An elongated strap immovably secured at a first end absorbs energy received from the energy transmitting component during a collision. Cooperating anvils are slidably received by the mounting bracket and the elongated strap is interwoven between the anvils. The anvils include generally parallel axis along which each anvil defines stepped diameters, and are slidable along the axis in response to a predetermined force to provide variable energy absorption relative to the stepped diameters.