US3798994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for protecting the driver of a vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-01
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Granted: 1974-03-26
•
Expires: 1991-11-01
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for protecting a driver of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a steering wheel, a padded cushion positioned between the steering wheel and an instrument panel of the vehicle, and means for enabling the steering wheel to move towards the cushion so that the steering wheel sinks into the cushion when the body of the driver is thrust against the steering wheel, or when more than normal pressure is applied to the steering wheel. The cushion will then serve to brace the body of the driver and protect him from injury, while also protecting the steering wheel and mechanism from being damaged.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hollins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:49
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/04; B60R21/045; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; B62D1/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
Apparatus for protecting a driver of a vehicle comprising a steering wheel, a stationary padded cushion positioned between said steering wheel and an instrument panel of the vehicle, said steering wheel having a normal operating position spaced from said padded cushion, means for enabling said steering wheel to move towards said padded cushion so that said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion when a driver is thrust against said steering wheel or excessive force is applied to said steering wheel and permitting said steering wheel to be reset to its normal operating position, said moving and resetting means including a telescoping steering column assembly coupled to said steering wheel, said steering column assembly including a first round steering tube coupled to said steering wheel and a second round steering tube coupled to a steering mechanism, an outer tube, means coupling said outer tube to said first round steering tube so that said outer tube and said first round steering tube rotate and move axially together, an inner tube positioned about and attached to said second round steering tube and a portion thereof being telescopically received within said outer tube, whereby rotation of said outer tube causes a corresponding rotation of said inner tube, means coupled to said inner and outer tubes for preventing said outer tube from moving axially in relation to said inner tube in the absence of force being applied to said steering wheel and for allowing said outer tube to axially move in relation to said inner tube when sufficient force is applied against said steering wheel whereby said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
Apparatus for protecting a driver of a vehicle comprising a steering wheel, a stationary padded cushion positioned between said steering wheel and an instrument panel of the vehicle, said steering wheel having a normal operating position spaced from said padded cushion, means for enabling said steering wheel to move towards said padded cushion so that said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion when a driver is thrust against said steering wheel or excessive force is applied to said steering wheel and permitting said steering wheel to be reset to its normal operating position, said moving and resetting means including a telescoping steering column assembly coupled to said steering wheel, said steering column assembly including a first round steering tube coupled to said steering wheel and a second round steering tube coupled to a steering mechanism, an outer tube, means coupling said outer tube to said first round steering tube so that said outer tube and said first round steering tube rotate and move axially together, an inner tube positioned about and attached to said second round steering tube and a portion thereof being telescopically received within said outer tube, whereby rotation of said outer tube causes a corresponding rotation of said inner tube, means coupled to said inner and outer tubes for preventing said outer tube from moving axially in relation to said inner tube in the absence of force being applied to said steering wheel and for allowing said outer tube to axially move in relation to said inner tube when sufficient force is applied against said steering wheel whereby said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes a steering column collar secured to said outer tube and said first round steering tube, a support collar attached to the instrument panel and surrounding a portion of said first round steering tube and fixing the uppermost position of said steering wheel when said steering column collar abuts said support column.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said outer and inner tubes have a hexagonal shape, and said preventing and allowing means including a multiple of formed spring fingers fastened to said outer tube and gripping said inner tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each spring finger includes a distal end which grips said inner tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said inner tube has an indentation on each hexagonal surface, and each spring finger has a protrusion aligned with the indentation in the corresponding side of said inner tube for preventing said outer tube from moving in relation to said inner tube unless sufficient force is applied thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
233 words
Apparatus for protecting a driver of a vehicle comprising a steering wheel, a stationary padded cushion positioned between said steering wheel and an instrument panel of the vehicle, said steering wheel having a normal operating position spaced from said steering wheel, means for enabling said steering wheel to move towards said padded cushion so that said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion when the driver is thrust against said steering wheel or excessive force is applied to said steering wheel and permitting said steering wheel to be reset to its normal operating position, said moving and resetting means including a telescoping steering column assembly coupled to said steering wheel, said steering column assembly including a round steering tube coupled to said steering wheel, an outer tube coupled to said round steering tube, an inner tube coupled to a steering mechanism and a portion of said inner tube being telescopically engaged within said outer tube whereby rotation of said outer tube causes a corresponding rotation of said inner tube, means coupled to said inner and outer tubes for preventing said outer tube from moving axially relative to said inner tube in the absence of force being applied to said steering wheel and for allowing said outer tube to move axially relative to said inner tube when sufficient force is applied against said steering wheel whereby said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
233 words
Apparatus for protecting a driver of a vehicle comprising a steering wheel, a stationary padded cushion positioned between said steering wheel and an instrument panel of the vehicle, said steering wheel having a normal operating position spaced from said steering wheel, means for enabling said steering wheel to move towards said padded cushion so that said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion when the driver is thrust against said steering wheel or excessive force is applied to said steering wheel and permitting said steering wheel to be reset to its normal operating position, said moving and resetting means including a telescoping steering column assembly coupled to said steering wheel, said steering column assembly including a round steering tube coupled to said steering wheel, an outer tube coupled to said round steering tube, an inner tube coupled to a steering mechanism and a portion of said inner tube being telescopically engaged within said outer tube whereby rotation of said outer tube causes a corresponding rotation of said inner tube, means coupled to said inner and outer tubes for preventing said outer tube from moving axially relative to said inner tube in the absence of force being applied to said steering wheel and for allowing said outer tube to move axially relative to said inner tube when sufficient force is applied against said steering wheel whereby said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
241 words
Apparatus for protecting a driver of a vehicle comprising a steering wheel, a stationary padded cushion positioned between said steering wheel and an instrument panel of the vehicle, said steering wheel having a normal operating position spaced from said padded cushion, means for enabling said steering wheel to move towards said padded cushion so that said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion when the driver is thrust against said steering wheel or excessive force is applied to said steering wheel and permitting said steering wheel to be reset to its normal operating position, said moving and resetting means including a telescoping steering column assembly coupled to said steering wheel, said steering column assembly including a round steering tube coupled to a steering mechanism, an outer tube coupled to said steering wheel, an inner tube positioned about and attached to said round steering tube and a portion of said inner tube being telescopically engaged within said outer tube, whereby a movement of rotation of said outer tube causes a corresponding rotation of said inner tube, means coupled to said inner and outer tubes for preventing said outer tube from moving axially in relation to said inner tube in the absence of force being applied against said steering wheel, and for allowing said outer tube to move axially in relation to said inner tube when sufficient force is applied against said steering wheel, whereby said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
241 words
Apparatus for protecting a driver of a vehicle comprising a steering wheel, a stationary padded cushion positioned between said steering wheel and an instrument panel of the vehicle, said steering wheel having a normal operating position spaced from said padded cushion, means for enabling said steering wheel to move towards said padded cushion so that said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion when the driver is thrust against said steering wheel or excessive force is applied to said steering wheel and permitting said steering wheel to be reset to its normal operating position, said moving and resetting means including a telescoping steering column assembly coupled to said steering wheel, said steering column assembly including a round steering tube coupled to a steering mechanism, an outer tube coupled to said steering wheel, an inner tube positioned about and attached to said round steering tube and a portion of said inner tube being telescopically engaged within said outer tube, whereby a movement of rotation of said outer tube causes a corresponding rotation of said inner tube, means coupled to said inner and outer tubes for preventing said outer tube from moving axially in relation to said inner tube in the absence of force being applied against said steering wheel, and for allowing said outer tube to move axially in relation to said inner tube when sufficient force is applied against said steering wheel, whereby said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
236 words
Apparatus for protecting a driver of a vehicle comprising a steering wheel, a stationary padded cushion positioned between said steering wheel and an instrument panel of the vehicle, said steering wheel having a normal operating position spaced from said padded cushion, means for enabling said steering wheel to move towards said padded cushion so that said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion when the driver is thrust against said stEering wheel or excessive force is applied to said steering wheel and permitting said steering wheel to be reset to its normal operating position, said moving and resetting means including a telescoping steering column assembly coupled to said steering wheel, said steering column assembly including an outer tube coupled to said steering wheel, an inner tube coupled to a steering mechanism and a portion of said inner tube being telescopically engaged within said outer tube, whereby a movement of rotation of said outer tube causes a corresponding rotation of said inner tube, means coupled to said inner and outer tubes for preventing said outer tube from moving axially in relation to said inner tube in the absence of force being applied to said steering wheel, and for allowing said outer tube to move axially in relation to said inner tube when sufficient force is applied against said steering wheel, whereby said steering wheel, which is coupled to said steering column assembly, sinks into said padded cushion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
236 words
Apparatus for protecting a driver of a vehicle comprising a steering wheel, a stationary padded cushion positioned between said steering wheel and an instrument panel of the vehicle, said steering wheel having a normal operating position spaced from said padded cushion, means for enabling said steering wheel to move towards said padded cushion so that said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion when the driver is thrust against said stEering wheel or excessive force is applied to said steering wheel and permitting said steering wheel to be reset to its normal operating position, said moving and resetting means including a telescoping steering column assembly coupled to said steering wheel, said steering column assembly including an outer tube coupled to said steering wheel, an inner tube coupled to a steering mechanism and a portion of said inner tube being telescopically engaged within said outer tube, whereby a movement of rotation of said outer tube causes a corresponding rotation of said inner tube, means coupled to said inner and outer tubes for preventing said outer tube from moving axially in relation to said inner tube in the absence of force being applied to said steering wheel, and for allowing said outer tube to move axially in relation to said inner tube when sufficient force is applied against said steering wheel, whereby said steering wheel, which is coupled to said steering column assembly, sinks into said padded cushion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for protecting a driver of a vehicle comprising a steering wheel, a padded cushion positioned between said steering wheel and an instrument panel of the vehicle, means preventing said padded cushion from moving relative to said instrument panel, a first element coupled to said steering wheel, a second element coupled to a steering mechanism, and means telescopically connecting said first element to said second element so that said first and second elements rotate in unison and when less than a predetermined force is applied against said steering wheel said steering wheel and said first element do not move axially towards said second element and when more than a predetermined force is applied to said steering wheel said steering wheel and first element move axially towards said second element whereby said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for protecting a driver of a vehicle comprising a steering wheel, a padded cushion positioned between said steering wheel and an instrument panel of the vehicle, means preventing said padded cushion from moving relative to said instrument panel, a first element coupled to said steering wheel, a second element coupled to a steering mechanism, and means telescopically connecting said first element to said second element so that said first and second elements rotate in unison and when less than a predetermined force is applied against said steering wheel said steering wheel and said first element do not move axially towards said second element and when more than a predetermined force is applied to said steering wheel said steering wheel and first element move axially towards said second element whereby said steering wheel sinks into said padded cushion.
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) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |