Patent attributes
A reach adjustable steering column assembly comprises a telescopic steering shaft which in use supports a steering wheel of the vehicle; a shroud that supports the steering shaft comprising an upper shroud part and a lower shroud part, the upper shroud part moving telescopically relative to the lower part during reach adjustment of the steering column assembly, a support bracket that supports the shroud relative to the vehicle body, and a clamp mechanism that is operable between an unclamped position in which the steering column assembly is adjustable for reach and a clamped position in which the reach position of the steering column assembly is fixed. The clamp mechanism comprises a first locking part that is displaceable by an actuator assembly into and out of positive engagement with a second locking part. An energy absorbing mechanism acts between the upper shroud part and the second locking part and is configured so that during a crash a deformable part of the energy absorbing mechanism is plastically deformed by a deforming part, thereby controlling the movement of the upper shroud part, and in that one of the deformable element and the deforming portion of the energy absorbing mechanism is secured to the upper shroud part, and the other is fixed relative to the second locking part.
