US3791233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible vehicle-steering systems
Assignee: Volvo AB
•
Filing: 1972-11-06
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-11-06
Abstract
Abstract An improved collapsible vehicle-steering system comprising a steering wheel and steering wheel shaft assembly extending between the steering wheel and means for transmitting steering wheel movement to the vehicle wheels. The shaft assembly is divided into an upper section and a lower section arranged for coaxial movement relative to each other. The upper shaft section carries the steering wheel and is freely movable axially from a first steering position to a second safe position and is releasably held in its first steering position by a latch means which co-acts with means sensitive to vehicle retardation forces. The means sensitive to vehicle retardation forces is adapted to actuate the upper shaft section latching means at forces exceeding a predetermined magnitude, to permit axial movement of the upper shaft section relative the lower, from said first position to said second position.
Inventors
- 👤 L Bane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:19
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/197; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A collapsible steering wheel system comprising a steering wheel and a steering shaft assembly extending between the steering wheel and movement transmission means for transmitting rotary movement of the steering wheel and the steering shaft assembly to the vehicle wheels, the steering shaft assembly comprising upper and lower shaft sections, said upper section being attached to the steering wheel, means mounting said upper section for free axial movement relative to said lower shaft section from a first upper steering position to a second lower safe position, latching means releasably holding the upper shaft section in said first position, and means responsive to vehicle retardation forces for releasing said latching means when said retardation forces exceed a predetermined magnitude thereby to permit free movement of said upper shaft section to said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A collapsible steering wheel system comprising a steering wheel and a steering shaft assembly extending between the steering wheel and movement transmission means for transmitting rotary movement of the steering wheel and the steering shaft assembly to the vehicle wheels, the steering shaft assembly comprising upper and lower shaft sections, said upper section being attached to the steering wheel, means mounting said upper section for free axial movement relative to said lower shaft section from a first upper steering position to a second lower safe position, latching means releasably holding the upper shaft section in said first position, and means responsive to vehicle retardation forces for releasing said latching means when said retardation forces exceed a predetermined magnitude thereby to permit free movement of said upper shaft section to said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A collapsible vehicle-steering system according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower shaft sections are co-axial and arranged for telescopic movement in relation to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A collapsible vehicle-steering system according to claim 1, wherein the upper steering shaft section is movable to said second safe position under its own weight and the weight of the steering wheel attached thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A collapsible vehicle-steering system according to claim 1, wherein said upper steering shaft section is spring biassed towards said second, safe position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A collapsible vehicle-steering system according to claim 1, whErein the releaseable latching means includes a sleeve that acts on the upper steering shaft section, said sleeve extending over said section and being arranged for axial movement therewith but being locked against rotation about its own longitudinal axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A collapsible vehicle-steering system according to claim 5, and a spring acting between a first abutment surface arranged externally of the sleeve and being immovable relative thereto, and a second abutment surface located on said sleeve to urge said upper section toward said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A collapsible vehicle-steering system according to claim 6, wherein said second abutment surface prevents return movement of the upper steering shaft section from the second safe position towards the first, normal steering position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A collapsible vehicle-steering system according to claim 1, wherein the latch release means comprises a movable weight which, upon the occurrence of vehicle retardation forces above a predetermined magnitude, as a result of the inertia forces acting thereon causes the latching means to release the upper steering shaft section for movement of said section to said second, safe position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A collapsible vehicle-steering system according to claim 1, wherein the latching means comprises a latching element co-acting with a toggle link arrangement which in a first position holds the latching element in its active latching position and in a second position releases said latching element from said latching position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
A collapsible vehicle-steering system according to claim 9, said latch release means comprising a movable weight connected to said toggle link arrangement in a manner to move said toggle link arrangement from its first position to its second position by the inertia forces acting on the weight as the result of vehicle retardation forces above a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
A collapsible vehicle-steering system according to claim 9, wherein the latching element has two edge surfaces extending to subtend an angle therebetween and is pivotally mounted to a fixed point on the vehicle, one of said edge surfaces being arranged to latch the upper steering shaft section against movement from the first normal steering position towards the second, safe position, and the other edge surface engaging the toggle link arrangement to retain the latching member in its operative, latching position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A collapsible vehicle-steering system according to claim 6, wherein the upper steering shaft section and the lower shaft section are splined, one of said sections being of hollow construction and arranged for telescopic movement with the other steering shaft section, said lower steering shaft section being encircled by an axially immovable further sleeve extending over at least a considerable length of the first mentioned sleeve and embodying said first, spring abutment surface.
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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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |