US4473520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making an automotive steering wheel
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1982-12-10
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Granted: 1984-09-25
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Expires: 2002-12-10
Abstract
Abstract An automotive steering wheel and process for making it wherein fiber reinforcing members are placed around a core member that is placed in a mold cavity to form the rim and spoke portions of a steering wheel. The mold cavity is then evacuated to remove air trapped in the reinforcing fibers while injecting a thermosetting resin at a high rate to bond the reinforcing assembly into a solid mass.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H. Overcashier
- 👤 Robert D. Farris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:40
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/28; B29C70/40; B29C70/42; B29C70/44; B29C70/443; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; B29C43/00; B29C43/02; B29C43/10; B29C43/12; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/30; B29L2031/3047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for making a fiber reinforced steering wheel, comprising: in a mold having an endless cavity suitable for forming a steering wheel and having at least two transverse cavities joining said endless cavity with a center hub section, disposing two sealed continuous inflated tubes in said mold cavities, one of said tubes being disposed in only a first portion of said endless cavity, in said transverse cavities and about said hub section, each of said tubes having fiber reinforcing disposed thereabout, injecting a thermosetting resin in said cavities to impregnate said reinforcing material; evacuating the mold cavity to expand said tubes only by air pressure sealed within said tubes; and curing said resin to form said steering wheel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for making a fiber reinforced steering wheel, comprising: in a mold having an endless cavity suitable for forming a steering wheel and having at least two transverse cavities joining said endless cavity with a center hub section, disposing two sealed continuous inflated tubes in said mold cavities, one of said tubes being disposed in only a first portion of said endless cavity, in said transverse cavities and about said hub section, each of said tubes having fiber reinforcing disposed thereabout, injecting a thermosetting resin in said cavities to impregnate said reinforcing material; evacuating the mold cavity to expand said tubes only by air pressure sealed within said tubes; and curing said resin to form said steering wheel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-25 | 1988-03-26 | 1988-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-25 | 1992-03-26 | 1992-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-25 | 1996-03-26 | 1996-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |