Patent US3589210A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3589210A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorber
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1969-05-27
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-05-27
Abstract
Abstract An automotive vehicle steering assembly includes a safety steering wheel having a hub comprised of an energy absorbing member subject to axial crushing under predetermined force. The energy absorbing member is generally tubular and includes a circumferential series of longitudinal strip elements formed with a radially inward prebend to cause the strips to bend further radially inwardly during axial crush of the member, the prebend of each of the strips in the series being selected with respect to its neighbors such that the strips undergo buckling into an orderly overlapping relationship.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin W Norman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:56
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; B62D1/11; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
In an energy absorber of the type comprising a tubular member provided with an angularly spaced series of longitudinally extending slots defining a series of longitudinally extending strips subject to controlled buckling and plastic deformation under predetermined generally axial force on said tubular member causing axial crush therein, the improvement which comprises forming said strips each with a prebend radially inwardly of said tubular member such that under axial crush therein under said predetermined force said strips buckle further radially inwardly of said tubular member, the prebend of each of said strips being so formed with respect to the prebend of its neighbors in said series that during said axial crush said strips buckle further radially inwardly into an orderly overlapping relationship around said series of strips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
In an energy absorber of the type comprising a tubular member provided with an angularly spaced series of longitudinally extending slots defining a series of longitudinally extending strips subject to controlled buckling and plastic deformation under predetermined generally axial force on said tubular member causing axial crush therein, the improvement which comprises forming said strips each with a prebend radially inwardly of said tubular member such that under axial crush therein under said predetermined force said strips buckle further radially inwardly of said tubular member, the prebend of each of said strips being so formed with respect to the prebend of its neighbors in said series that during said axial crush said strips buckle further radially inwardly into an orderly overlapping relationship around said series of strips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
In an energy absorber of the type comprising a tubular member provided with an angularly spaced series of longitudinally extending slots defining a series of longitudinally extending strips subject to controlled buckling and plastic deformation under predetermined generally axial force on said tubular member causing axial crush therein, the improvement which comprises forming said strips each with a prebend radially inwardly of said tubular member such that under axial crush therein under said predetermined force said strips buckle further radially inwardly of said tubular member, said strips having alternate shallow and deeper prebend so that during said axial crush said strips buckle further radially inwardly into an orderly overlapping relationship around said series of strips.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
In an energy absorber of the type comprising a tubular member provided with an angularly spaced series of longitudinally extending slots defining a series of longitudinally extending strips subject to controlled buckling and plastic deformation under predetermined generally axial force on said tubular member causing axial crush therein, the improvement which comprises forming said strips each with a prebend radially inwardly of said tubular member such that under axial crush therein under said predetermined force said strips buckle further radially inwardly of said tubular member, said strips having alternate shallow and deeper prebend so that during said axial crush said strips buckle further radially inwardly into an orderly overlapping relationship around said series of strips.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
162 words
In an energy absorber of the type comprising a tubular member provided with an angularly spaced series of longitudinally extending slots defining a series of longitudinally extending strips subject to controlled buckling and plastic deformation under predetermined generally axial force on said tubular member causing axial crush therein, the improvement which comprises forming Said strips each with a prebend generally V-shape in profile inwardly of said tubular member such that under axial crush therein under said predetermined force said strips buckle further radially inwardly of said tubular member, said strips being of substantially equal length but deformed for prebend therein with the vertex of the V in adjacent strips being alternately shallow and deeper radially of said tubular member such that during said axial crush said strips buckle further radially inwardly into an orderly overlapping relationship around said series of strips and establish interfering engagement generally at such vertices for energy absorption therein additive to that in the buckling of said strips.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
In an energy absorber of the type comprising a tubular member provided with an angularly spaced series of longitudinally extending slots defining a series of longitudinally extending strips subject to controlled buckling and plastic deformation under predetermined generally axial force on said tubular member causing axial crush therein, the improvement which comprises forming Said strips each with a prebend generally V-shape in profile inwardly of said tubular member such that under axial crush therein under said predetermined force said strips buckle further radially inwardly of said tubular member, said strips being of substantially equal length but deformed for prebend therein with the vertex of the V in adjacent strips being alternately shallow and deeper radially of said tubular member such that during said axial crush said strips buckle further radially inwardly into an orderly overlapping relationship around said series of strips and establish interfering engagement generally at such vertices for energy absorption therein additive to that in the buckling of said strips.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a safety steering wheel, the combination of a rim, spoke means attached to the rim, a central axial load bearing tubular hub member attached to the spoke means and including in an intermediate portion thereof an angularly spaced series of longitudinally extended slots defining a series of longitudinally extending strips each formed with a prebend of generally V-shape in profile extending radially inwardly of said hub member, the prebend of each of said strips being so formed with respect to the prebend of its neighbors in said series in said hub portion such that under axial crushing forces thereon of predetermined force said strips buckle further radially inwardly of said hub member into an orderly overlapping relationship around said series of strips, and outer annular shroud means of relatively thin wall mounted over said hub member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a safety steering wheel, the combination of a rim, spoke means attached to the rim, a central axial load bearing tubular hub member attached to the spoke means and including in an intermediate portion thereof an angularly spaced series of longitudinally extended slots defining a series of longitudinally extending strips each formed with a prebend of generally V-shape in profile extending radially inwardly of said hub member, the prebend of each of said strips being so formed with respect to the prebend of its neighbors in said series in said hub portion such that under axial crushing forces thereon of predetermined force said strips buckle further radially inwardly of said hub member into an orderly overlapping relationship around said series of strips, and outer annular shroud means of relatively thin wall mounted over said hub member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |