US3797601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Safety steering for motor vehicles
Assignee: Daimler Benz AG
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Filing: 1972-05-26
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A safety steering arrangement for motor vehicles with a plastically deformable structural part arranged between a steering hand wheel and the front wall of the vehicle; the steering wheel is thereby rotatably supported in the end of the plastically deformable structural part facing the passenger space while the steering movements are transmitted from the hand wheel to a steering gear by way of an intermediate member which is relatively stiff in torsion yet yielding in the deformation direction of the plastically deformable part.
Inventors
- 👤 B Barenyi
- 👤 H Renner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:40
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/04; B60R21/045; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/195
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A safety steering arrangement for motor vehicles comprising a plastically deformable deformation member secured to a relatively fixed part of a vehicle and extending into a passenger space of the vehicle, said deformation member having a surface portion forming a front wall means facing the passenger space of said vehicle; a steering wheel means rotatably supported only at said front wall means of said deformation member; and an intermediate drive means for transmitting steering torques from said steering wheel means to a steering gear means, and intermediate drive means being relatively rigid against torsion and yielding against impact forces in the deformation direction of said front wall means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A safety steering arrangement for motor vehicles comprising a plastically deformable deformation member secured to a relatively fixed part of a vehicle and extending into a passenger space of the vehicle, said deformation member having a surface portion forming a front wall means facing the passenger space of said vehicle; a steering wheel means rotatably supported only at said front wall means of said deformation member; and an intermediate drive means for transmitting steering torques from said steering wheel means to a steering gear means, and intermediate drive means being relatively rigid against torsion and yielding against impact forces in the deformation direction of said front wall means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the relatively fixed vehicle part is a front wall structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the deformation means is connected with a front wall bearer of the front wall structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that auxiliary devices are arranged on the inside of the deformation means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that said auxiliary means include control, indicating or actuating devices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the deformation means includes a casing, and in that a portion of the casing of the deformation means is constructed as cover means adapted to be opened.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that said cover means is adapted to be pivoted open.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the cover means is adapted to be removed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the surface of the deformation means is covered with a padding means consisting of foamed material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that said deformation means is a pot-shaped deformation member arranged between the steering wheel and the front wall structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that said deformation means is a pot-shaped deformation member arranged between the steering wheel and the relatively fixed part of said vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the relatively fixed vehicle part is a front wall structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that auxiliary devices are arranged on the inside of the deformation means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that the deformation means includes a casing, and in that a portion of the casing of the deformation means is constructed as cover means adapted to be opened.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the surface of the deformation means is covered with a padding means consisting of foamed material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastically deformable front wall means extends substantially over the entire width of the passenger space.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 16, characterized in that means are provided in the plastically deformable means for influencing the deformation thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that said last-mentioned means consist of corrugations, steps, arcs, apertures or the like.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A safety steering system according to claim 17, characterized in that the plastically deformable front wall portion is connected with the front end section structure of the motor vehicle forming said relatively fixed part.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A safety steering system according to claim 19, characterized in that the plastically deformable front wall portion is connected at the front end section structure by way of flange means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate drive means is a flexible shaft.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate drive means is an undulated tube.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate drive means is a joint-shaft provided with an axially sliding member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
123 words
A safety steering arrangement for motor vehicles in which a steering wheel is so arranged at a plastically deformable structural part that it is able to deflect in case of an impact of the driver against the steering wheel caused by an accident, whereby the plastically deformable structural part absorbs at least a portion of the impact energy, characterized in that the steering wheel is supported exclusively at a plastically deformable front wall means facing the passenger space and forming the plastically deformable structural part, and in that the steering torque is transmitted from the steering wheel to a steering gear by way of an intermediate means which is stiff against torsion and yielding in the deformation direction of the front wall means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
123 words
A safety steering arrangement for motor vehicles in which a steering wheel is so arranged at a plastically deformable structural part that it is able to deflect in case of an impact of the driver against the steering wheel caused by an accident, whereby the plastically deformable structural part absorbs at least a portion of the impact energy, characterized in that the steering wheel is supported exclusively at a plastically deformable front wall means facing the passenger space and forming the plastically deformable structural part, and in that the steering torque is transmitted from the steering wheel to a steering gear by way of an intermediate means which is stiff against torsion and yielding in the deformation direction of the front wall means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 24, characterized in that the plastically deformable front wall means extends over the entire width of the passenger space.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 24, further comprising means for influencing the plastic deformation of the front wall means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
A safety steering arrangement according to claim 24, characterized in that the plastically deformable front wall means is connected with a fixed part of the vehicle front-end section.
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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) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |