Energy absorbing apparatus for a motor vehicle

An energy absorbing steering column apparatus for use in a motor vehicle, said steering column apparatus comprising:

• a steering column having an inner member within an outer member, said inner member being supported by a support member attached to body structure of said motor vehicle, said outer member being adapted to move axially relative to said inner member when subjected to an impact within said motor vehicle generating an impact force in excess of a predetermined minimum;
• an anchor securely attached to said outer member of said steering column;
• first and second rollers rotatably mounted to said anchor disposed spaced from one another;
• and
• a deformable strip threaded through said first and second rollers, said deformable strip comprising:
• a first end adapted to receive an impact force from within said motor vehicle;
• a second end opposite said first end;
• and
• a formed portion extending from said rollers to said second end, said formed portion includes prefabricated projections operative to be drawn through said first and second rollers when said impact force exceeds a predetermined minimum, said prefabricated projections thereby being plastically deformed in a predetermined order to provide variable withdrawal resistance of said formed portion, thereby controllably dissipating and absorbing energy from said impact force.

An energy absorbing seat belt apparatus for use in a motor vehicle, said seat belt apparatus comprising:

• a seat belt having one end securely attached to the motor vehicle and an opposite end attached to a belt retractor mechanism, said seat belt retractor adapted to transfer an impact force from within said motor vehicle when said impact force exceeds a predetermined minimum;
• an anchor securely attached to a said motor vehicle;
• a first end attached to said retractor mechanism and adapted to receive said impact force therefrom;
• first and second rollers rotatably mounted to said anchor disposed spaced from one another;
• and
• a deformable strip threaded through said first and second rollers, said deformable strip comprising:
• a first end attached to said retractor mechanism and adapted to receive an impact force from within said motor vehicle;
• a second end opposite said first end;
• and
• a formed portion extending from said rollers to said second end, said formed portion includes prefabricated projections operative to be drawn through said first and second rollers when said impact force exceeds a predetermined minimum, said prefabricated projections thereby being plastically deformed in a predetermined order to provide variable withdrawal resistance of said formed portion, thereby controllably dissipating and absorbing energy from said impact force.