John J Perri

US Patent:

57976856, Aug 25, 1998

Filed:

Nov 22, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/755045

Inventors:

Mirjana Jurik - Rochester Hills MI
Thomas Dziegielewski - Rochester Hills MI
John Perri - Auburn Hills MI
Thomas Grzybowski - Fraser MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60K 2006

US Classification:

384215

Abstract:

A device for rotatably supporting a gear shift tube within a tubular steering column of an automotive vehicle. The device comprises a support of integral, one-piece construction made of an elastomeric, resinous plastic material disposed within a cup rigidly secured in the lower end of the steering column. The support comprises an open-ended bearing sleeve co-axial with the cup having an end portion extending through an opening in the bottom wall of the cup. The sleeve has angularly spaced abutments inside the cup abutting the inner surface of the bottom wall of the cup around the opening. The sleeve also has angularly spaced tangs outside the cup extending radially outwardly and abutting the outer surface of the bottom wall of the cup around the opening. The abutments and the tangs cooperate in locking the bearing sleeve axially within the cup. The bearing sleeve is preferably made of urethane reinforced with glass fibers.

US Patent:

57554617, May 26, 1998

Filed:

Feb 11, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/798590

Inventors:

Michael F. Halacka - Bloomfield Hills MI
Mirjana Jurik - Rochester Hills MI
Thomas Dziegielewski - Rochester Hills MI
John Perri - Auburn Hills MI
Thomas Grzybowski - Fraser MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B62D 119

US Classification:

280777

Abstract:

An energy-absorbing device for a steering column of an automotive vehicle comprising energy-absorbing straps on opposite sides of the steering column. The straps are made of relatively stiff, bendable, flexible strip material. Each strap has a laterally inner leg and a laterally outer leg secured to the inner leg by one or more rivets. The legs of each strap extend lengthwise of the steering column and have corresponding ends laterally connected together by a curved loop portion. The inner leg of each strap is rigidly connected to the steering column. The outer leg of each strap is rigidly connected to the instrument panel. The rivets are adapted to shear in a frontal impact to allow the inner leg of each strap to move with the steering column as it collapses, with the loop portion of each strap resisting such collapse to gradually absorb energy and prevent excessive reaction forces of the steering column against the driver.