Separable connecting device, in particular for the steering column of a motor vehicle
AssigneeNacam
InventorsBernard Haldric, Gregorio Benedi, Sylvie Baudon nee Chardon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A separable connecting device, in particular of a steering column for a motor vehicle, includes two shaft sections having end portions which overlap and each carrying a flange. The flanges are interconnected by connecting pins whcih are separable in the event of impact. The flanges carried by each shaft section are of identical shape, and the connecting pins are fixed to each flange and are slidably engaged in openings provided in the other flange.
Claims18
A separable connecting device between two shaft sections which have a common axis and which include end portions that are offset with respect to said common axis and that are in overlapping relation to each other, said device comprising two flanges of identical configuration, each said flange having fixed to and extending therefrom respective connecting pins and defining respective openings complementary to said pins, each said flange being fixed to a respective said end portion with said flanges being mounted symmetrically in such manner that said connecting pins of each of said flanges extend slidably through said openings of the other of said flanges, and sleeves of friction material interposed between said connecting pins fixed to each of said flanges and the respective said openings provided in the other of said flanges, said sleeves forming means to provide gripping to ensure controlled sliding between said connecting pins and said respective openings.
In a steering column for a motor vehicle and including two steering shaft sections which have a common axis and which include end portions that are offset with respect to said common axis and that are in overlapping relation to each other, and a separable connecting device interconnecting said two end portions, the improvement wherein said connecting device comprises:
- two flanges of identical configuration, each said flange having fixed to and extending therefrom respective connecting pins and defining respective openings complementary to said pins;
- each said flange being fixed to a respective said end portion with said flanges being mounted symmetrically in such manner that said connecting pins of each of said flanges slidably extend through said openings of the other of said flanges;
- and
- sleeves of friction material interposed between said connecting pins fixed to each of said flanges and the respective said openings provided in the other of said flanges, said sleeves forming means to provide gripping to ensure controlled sliding between said connecting pins and said respective openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.