Patent US4014313A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3576141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor vehicle steering wheel assembly
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1969-12-15
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Granted: 1971-04-27
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Expires: 1989-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A motor vehicle steering wheel assembly in which the steering wheel is formed from a steel ring covered with molded plastic material. The wheel is connected to the vehicle steering column by a plurality of spokes secured to the wheel at points about the wheel circumference. Midway between these points of connection between the wheel and the spokes, the steel ring is notched such that it will fracture upon a predetermined load being applied thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold G Brilmyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:15
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; B62D1/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle having an elongate steering column, said assembly comprising a steering wheel extending about the axis of said steering column, said wheel comprising a continuous structural core, a plurality of wheel supporting spokes interconnecting said column and said wheel, said core having portions of reduced cross section forming frangible points that will fracture upon a predetermined load being applied to said wheel, one and only one of said frangible points being located between adjacent spokes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle having an elongate steering column, said assembly comprising a steering wheel extending about the axis of said steering column, said wheel comprising a continuous structural core, a plurality of wheel supporting spokes interconnecting said column and said wheel, said core having portions of reduced cross section forming frangible points that will fracture upon a predetermined load being applied to said wheel, one and only one of said frangible points being located between adjacent spokes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A steering wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein said core comprises a steel ring, said ring having a covering of plastic material molded thereabout.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A steering wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said frangible points is located equidistant between adjacent spokes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A steering wheel assembly according to claim 3, wherein there are two spokes interconnecting said column and said wheel and three core portions of reduced cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A steering wheel assembly according to claim 3, wherein there are three spokes interconnecting said column and said wheel and three core portions of reduced cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
A steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle having a steering column, said assembly including a steel ring, a plurality of notches formed in said ring at equally spaced points about said ring, said notches reducing the resistance of said ring to fracture at said points, a decorative covering surrounding said ring, said ring and said covering forming a steering wheel, a plurality of structural elements interconnecting said steering column and said steering wheel, the connections between said structural elements and said steering wheels being located equidistant between said points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
A steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle having a steering column, said assembly including a steel ring, a plurality of notches formed in said ring at equally spaced points about said ring, said notches reducing the resistance of said ring to fracture at said points, a decorative covering surrounding said ring, said ring and said covering forming a steering wheel, a plurality of structural elements interconnecting said steering column and said steering wheel, the connections between said structural elements and said steering wheels being located equidistant between said points.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The steering wheel assembly of claim 6, wherein said decorative covering comprises plastic material molded about said ring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1967060A
Cited
US3209615A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-26 | 1974-10-26 | 1975-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-26 | 1978-10-26 | 1979-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-26 | 1982-10-26 | 1983-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |