US3873125A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety device for automotive vehicles
Assignee: Dynamit Nobel AG
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Filing: 1973-07-20
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-07-20
Abstract
Abstract A gas conducting arrangement for conducting inflating gas from a pressure generating mechanism to an inflatable gas cushion arranged at the steering wheel by way of a hollow space formed in the steering column. A connecting pipe leading from the pressure generating mechanism opens into the hollow space in the steering column in a gas entrance zone, with the connection pipe extending at an angle, preferably at right angles, to the longitudinally extending hollow space in the steering column. The cross section of the hollow space in the steering column is smaller than the cross section of the connection pipe with the hollow space in the steering column being widened conically in a transition zone adjacent the gas entrance zone so that, in the gas entrance zone, the cross sectional area of the hollow space in the steering column is at least as great as the flow cross section of the connection pipe so as to minimize obstruction to the flow from the connection pipe into the steering column. In the area of the gas entrance zone, the steering column is constructed with gridlike struts which permit flow through of the inflating gases and which also serve as intentional buckling points in the case of axial forces on the steering column.
Inventors
- 👤 Hellmut Bendler
- 👤 Egon Flach
- 👤 Axel Homburg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/203; B60R21/2032; B60R21/26; B60R21/261; B60R2021/2612; B60R2021/2615
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A gas conducting arrangement for conducting inflating gas from a gas pressure generating mechanism to an inflatable bag disposed in an automotive vehicle of the type having a steering column supporting a vehicle steering wheel, said bag being positioned for cushioning collision impacts when in an inflated condition; said arrangement comprising: hollow gas conducting space means formed inside said steering column and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said steering column, and a connection pipe for feeding gas from said pressure generator into said hollow space means at a gas entrance zone of said steering column, said connection pipe being disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the steering column at least in the area of said gas entrance zone, wherein the flow cross section of the hollow space means is smaller than the flow cross section of the connection pipe along a substantial portion of the longitudinal extent of said hollow space means, and wherein the flow cross section of the hollow space means is enlarged in the gas entrance zone to a size at least as great as the flow cross section of the connection pipe, and further wherein the steering column is formed with grid-like struts in the gas entrance zone with openings between said struts permitting passage of gas from said connection pipe to said hollow space means, which hollow space means is formed in part by said struts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A gas conducting arrangement for conducting inflating gas from a gas pressure generating mechanism to an inflatable bag disposed in an automotive vehicle of the type having a steering column supporting a vehicle steering wheel, said bag being positioned for cushioning collision impacts when in an inflated condition; said arrangement comprising: hollow gas conducting space means formed inside said steering column and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said steering column, and a connection pipe for feeding gas from said pressure generator into said hollow space means at a gas entrance zone of said steering column, said connection pipe being disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the steering column at least in the area of said gas entrance zone, wherein the flow cross section of the hollow space means is smaller than the flow cross section of the connection pipe along a substantial portion of the longitudinal extent of said hollow space means, and wherein the flow cross section of the hollow space means is enlarged in the gas entrance zone to a size at least as great as the flow cross section of the connection pipe, and further wherein the steering column is formed with grid-like struts in the gas entrance zone with openings between said struts permitting passage of gas from said connection pipe to said hollow space means, which hollow space means is formed in part by said struts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the flow cross section of said hollow space means is conically widened in a transition portion immediately adjacent to said gas entrance zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the enlarged portion of the flow cross section of the hollow space means projects beyond the entRance cross section of the connection pipe in a direction opposite the direction of flow through said hollow space means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said conically widened transition portion exhibits an annular rim at the widest part thereof, wherein said hollow space means is closed off in the direction toward the vehicle chassis by closing means at one side of the gas entrance zone, and wherein said struts extend between said rim and the closing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said steering column is constructed with axially weakened parts in the gas entrance zone such that it buckles in the axial direction in the gas entrance zone in response to axial forces, and wherein said axially weakened parts include said struts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the connection pipe is integrally formed with a sleeve encompassing the steering column in the gas entrance zone, and wherein the steering column is mounted sealingly and rotatably in said sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said conically widened transition portion exhibits an annular rim at the widest part thereof, wherein said hollow space means is closed off in the direction toward the vehicle chassis by closing means at one side of the gas entrance zone, and wherein said struts extend between said rim and the closing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said steering column is constructed with axially weakened parts in the gas entrance zone such that it buckles in the axial direction in the gas entrance zone in response to axial forces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said axially weakened parts include said struts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the connection pipe is integrally formed with a sleeve encompassing the steering column in the gas entrance zone, and wherein the steering column is mounted sealingly and rotatably in said sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
An arrangement according to claim 10, wherein said steering column includes a further sleeve circumferentially surrounding said first mentioned sleeve, wherein said hollow space means is constructed as a tubular member extending inside both of said sleeves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said tubular member is rotatably mounted in said further sleeve and sealed with respect to said first mentioned sleeve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
219 words
A gas conducting arrangement for conducting inflating gas from a gas pressure generating mechanism to an inflatable bag disposed in an automotive vehicle of the type having a steering column supporting a vehicle steering wheel, said bag being positioned for cushioning collision impacts when in an inflated condition; said arrangement comprising: hollow gas conducting space means formed inside said steering column and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said steering column, and a connection pipe for feeding gas from said pressure generator into said hollow space means at a gas entrance zone of said steering column, said connection pipe being disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the steering column at least in the area of said gas entrance zone, wherein the flow cross section of the hollow space means is smaller than the flow cross section of the connection pipe along a substantial portion of the longitudinal extent of said hollow space means, and wherein the flow cross section of the hollow space means is enlarged in the gas entrance zone to a size at least as great as the flow cross section of the connection pipe, and further wherein the flow cross section of said hollow space means is conically widened in a transition portion immediately adjacent to said gas entrance zone.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
219 words
A gas conducting arrangement for conducting inflating gas from a gas pressure generating mechanism to an inflatable bag disposed in an automotive vehicle of the type having a steering column supporting a vehicle steering wheel, said bag being positioned for cushioning collision impacts when in an inflated condition; said arrangement comprising: hollow gas conducting space means formed inside said steering column and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said steering column, and a connection pipe for feeding gas from said pressure generator into said hollow space means at a gas entrance zone of said steering column, said connection pipe being disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the steering column at least in the area of said gas entrance zone, wherein the flow cross section of the hollow space means is smaller than the flow cross section of the connection pipe along a substantial portion of the longitudinal extent of said hollow space means, and wherein the flow cross section of the hollow space means is enlarged in the gas entrance zone to a size at least as great as the flow cross section of the connection pipe, and further wherein the flow cross section of said hollow space means is conically widened in a transition portion immediately adjacent to said gas entrance zone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the enlarged portion of the flow cross section of the hollow space means projects beyond the entrance cross section of the connection pipe in a direction opposite the direction of flow through said hOllow space means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
158 words
A gas conducting arrangement for conducting inflating gas from a gas pressure generating mechanism to an inflatable bag disposed in an automotive vehicle of the type having a steering column supporting a vehicle steering wheel, said bag being positioned for cushioning collision impacts when in an inflated condition; said arrangement comprising: hollow gas conducting space means formed inside said steering column and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said steering column, and a connection pipe for feeding gas from said pressure generator into said hollow space means at a gas entrance zone of said steering column, said connection pipe being disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the steering column at least in the area of said gas entrance zone, wherein said steering column is contructed with axially weakened parts in the gas entrance zone such that it buckles in the axial direction in the gas entrane zone in response to axial forces.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
158 words
A gas conducting arrangement for conducting inflating gas from a gas pressure generating mechanism to an inflatable bag disposed in an automotive vehicle of the type having a steering column supporting a vehicle steering wheel, said bag being positioned for cushioning collision impacts when in an inflated condition; said arrangement comprising: hollow gas conducting space means formed inside said steering column and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said steering column, and a connection pipe for feeding gas from said pressure generator into said hollow space means at a gas entrance zone of said steering column, said connection pipe being disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the steering column at least in the area of said gas entrance zone, wherein said steering column is contructed with axially weakened parts in the gas entrance zone such that it buckles in the axial direction in the gas entrane zone in response to axial forces.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
228 words
A gas conducting arrangement for conducting inflating gas from a gas pressure generating mechanism to an inflatable bag disposed in an automotive vehicle of the type having a steering column supporting a vehicle steering wheel, said bag being positioned for cushioning collision impacts when in an inflated condition; said arrangement comprising: hollow gas conducting space means formed inside said steering column and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said steering column, and a connection pipe for feeding gas from said pressure generator into said hollow space means at a gas entrance zone of said steering column, said connection pipe being disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the steering column at least in the area of said gas entrance zone, wherein the flow cross section of the hollow space means is smaller than the flow cross section of the connection pipe along a substantial portion of the longitudinal extent of said hollow space means, and wherein the flow cross section of the hollow space means is enlarged in the gas entrance zone to a size at least as great as the flow cross section of the connection pipe, and further wherein said steering column is constructed with axially weakened parts in the gas entrance zone such that it buckles in the axial direction in the gas entrance zone in response to axial forces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
228 words
A gas conducting arrangement for conducting inflating gas from a gas pressure generating mechanism to an inflatable bag disposed in an automotive vehicle of the type having a steering column supporting a vehicle steering wheel, said bag being positioned for cushioning collision impacts when in an inflated condition; said arrangement comprising: hollow gas conducting space means formed inside said steering column and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said steering column, and a connection pipe for feeding gas from said pressure generator into said hollow space means at a gas entrance zone of said steering column, said connection pipe being disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the steering column at least in the area of said gas entrance zone, wherein the flow cross section of the hollow space means is smaller than the flow cross section of the connection pipe along a substantial portion of the longitudinal extent of said hollow space means, and wherein the flow cross section of the hollow space means is enlarged in the gas entrance zone to a size at least as great as the flow cross section of the connection pipe, and further wherein said steering column is constructed with axially weakened parts in the gas entrance zone such that it buckles in the axial direction in the gas entrance zone in response to axial forces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2899214A
Cited
US3580603A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |