US3768824A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering wheel with safety air cushion
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
•
Filing: 1972-02-10
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1992-02-10
Abstract
Abstract Steering wheel with safety air bag for motor vehicles whereby the air bag is positioned within the continuous spoke of the steering wheel. The folded or collapsed air bag is arranged within a deformable air bag housing which together with a cover forms a unit which with a gas generator may be preassembled and installed into the recess between the angularly inclined sections of the continuous steering wheel spoke.
Inventors
- 👤 H Kloppe
- 👤 D Pfadenhauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:42
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/203; B60R21/2035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
In combination, a steering wheel having a hub, a rim and angularly inclined spoke sections supporting the rim above the hub, an air cushion having a folded inoperative position and an inflated position in which, in the event of a collision, it is operative to cushion the driver from the steering wheel, and a gas generator housing equipped with a diffuser section located in a recess at the base of the steering wheel spoke sections and attached to the steering wheel hub, the cushion in its folded position being connected at its bottom edge to the diffuser section and being held in position by a cover having deliberate weak points, characterized in that the foldable air cushion is housed when folded in a deformable synthetic material housing connected to the gas generator housing and the cover to form a preassembled unit which is attached to the angularly inclined steering wheel spoke sections, the deformable housing having a funnel shape and being attached through a bottom flanged edge and a clamping ring which simultaneously fixes the bottom edge of the air cushion to a radial flange on the gas generator, the upper edge of the funnel-shaped housing being thickened and attached to the cover by fasteners.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
In combination, a steering wheel having a hub, a rim and angularly inclined spoke sections supporting the rim above the hub, an air cushion having a folded inoperative position and an inflated position in which, in the event of a collision, it is operative to cushion the driver from the steering wheel, and a gas generator housing equipped with a diffuser section located in a recess at the base of the steering wheel spoke sections and attached to the steering wheel hub, the cushion in its folded position being connected at its bottom edge to the diffuser section and being held in position by a cover having deliberate weak points, characterized in that the foldable air cushion is housed when folded in a deformable synthetic material housing connected to the gas generator housing and the cover to form a preassembled unit which is attached to the angularly inclined steering wheel spoke sections, the deformable housing having a funnel shape and being attached through a bottom flanged edge and a clamping ring which simultaneously fixes the bottom edge of the air cushion to a radial flange on the gas generator, the upper edge of the funnel-shaped housing being thickened and attached to the cover by fasteners.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
In combination, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the preassembled unit comprising the gas generator housing, the air cushion deformable housing containing the folded air cushion and the cover is attached to the steering wheel spoke sections through apertures formed in lateral lugs of the radial flange of the gas generator housing and in the thickened edge of the air cushion deformable housing by means of screws which are countersunk in holes in the steering wheel spoke sections.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3532360A
Cited
US3588142A
Cited
US3625543A
Cited
US3632135A
Cited
US3674284A
Cited
US3680884A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |