Energy Absorbing Device for a Collapsible Steering Column Assembly

A collapsible steering column assembly, comprising:

• a column mounting bracket configured for mounting to a vehicle, the bracket having a front portion and a back portion, the front portion comprising a pair of spaced arms, each arm having an inner surface that opposes the inner surface of the other and an opposed outer surface;
• a steering column having a longitudinal axis and comprising an inner jacket that is slidably disposed within an inner surface of an outer jacket, an outer surface of the outer jacket located adjacent the inner surfaces of the spaced arms;
• a locking device that passes through and is coupled to the spaced arms and the outer jacket, the locking device movable to lock or unlock the slidable disposition of the inner jacket within the outer jacket by respective application or release of a predetermined clamping force to the outer surfaces of the arms, the outer jacket and inner jacket;
• and
• an energy absorbing device comprising an energy absorbing strap that is fixed to the inner jacket at a first portion thereof and slidably disposed within the outer jacket, an anvil disposed on the inner jacket, the anvil disposed proximate the first portion of the strap and configured to engage the strap upon collapse of the inner jacket within the outer jacket, a locking member that is disposed on the outer jacket, a second portion of the strap located proximate the locking member, the locking member selectively engageable to lock the second portion of the strap with respect to the outer jacket and a bias member providing a bias force urging the locking member into engagement with the second portion of the strap.