Patent US3887215A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3887215A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Safety steering for motor vehicles
Assignee: Daimler Benz AG
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Filing: 1973-10-04
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1993-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A safety steering device for motor vehicles, in which a plastically deformable deformation member is arranged between the steering wheel and the upper end of the steering spindle, and in which a gas cushion adapted to be automatically inflated, when exceeding a predetermined vehicle deceleration, is additionally provided; the gas cushion is thereby combined into a structural unit with the generator producing the gases which structural unit is accommodated above the deformation member inside a padded plate whose top side lies essentially in the plane of the steering wheel rim.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilhelm Albrecht
- 👤 Helmut Patzelt
- 👤 Peter-Matthias Hoheisel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/203; B60R21/2035; B60R21/2037; F; F42; F42B; F42B3/00; F42B3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A safety steering device for a vehicle comprising plastically deformable deformation means arranged between a steering wheel and the upper end of a steering spindle, padded plate means arranged inside the steering wheel rim, said padded plate means having a surface lying approximately in the plane of the steering wheel rim, and a structural unit including gas cushion means for automatically inflating upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle and gas generator means for producing inflating gas into said gas cushion means upon said predetermined condition, said structural unit being arranged between said deformation means and said padded plate means wherein said padded plate means surrounds a portion of said gas cushion means lying approximately in the plane of the steering wheel rim, said gas cushion means being arranged in a folded-together state prior to the occurrence of said predetermined condition and surrounded at a central area of the padded plate means, the folded-together gas cushion means simultaneously forming padding within the central area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A safety steering device for a vehicle comprising plastically deformable deformation means arranged between a steering wheel and the upper end of a steering spindle, padded plate means arranged inside the steering wheel rim, said padded plate means having a surface lying approximately in the plane of the steering wheel rim, and a structural unit including gas cushion means for automatically inflating upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle and gas generator means for producing inflating gas into said gas cushion means upon said predetermined condition, said structural unit being arranged between said deformation means and said padded plate means wherein said padded plate means surrounds a portion of said gas cushion means lying approximately in the plane of the steering wheel rim, said gas cushion means being arranged in a folded-together state prior to the occurrence of said predetermined condition and surrounded at a central area of the padded plate means, the folded-together gas cushion means simultaneously forming padding within the central area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
164 words
A safety steering device for a vehicle comprising plastically deformable deformation means arranged between a steering wheel and the upper end of a steering spindle, padded plate means arranged inside the steering wheel rim, said padded plate means having a surface lying approximately in the plane of the steering wheel rim, and a structural unit including gas cushion means for automatically inflating upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle and gas generator means for producing inflating gas into said gas cushion means upon said predetermined condition, said structural unit being arranged between said deformation means and said padded plate means wherein said padded plate means surrounds a portion of said gas cushion means lying approximately in the plane of the steering wheel rim, said gas cushion means being arranged in a folded-together state prior to the occurrence of said predetermined condition and surrounded at a central area of the padded plate means, the folded-together gas cushion means simultaneously forming padding within the central area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
164 words
A safety steering device for a vehicle comprising plastically deformable deformation means arranged between a steering wheel and the upper end of a steering spindle, padded plate means arranged inside the steering wheel rim, said padded plate means having a surface lying approximately in the plane of the steering wheel rim, and a structural unit including gas cushion means for automatically inflating upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle and gas generator means for producing inflating gas into said gas cushion means upon said predetermined condition, said structural unit being arranged between said deformation means and said padded plate means wherein said padded plate means surrounds a portion of said gas cushion means lying approximately in the plane of the steering wheel rim, said gas cushion means being arranged in a folded-together state prior to the occurrence of said predetermined condition and surrounded at a central area of the padded plate means, the folded-together gas cushion means simultaneously forming padding within the central area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A safety steering device according to claim 1, wherein said gas generator means is arranged between said gas cushion means and said deformation means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A safety steering device according to claim 2, wherein said structural unit is threadably secured to the steering wheel to form a readily exchangeable structural unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A safety steering device according to claim 3, wherein said gas generator means includes an ignition charge which upon ignition produces said inflating gas, and labyrinth means for passing said inflating gas prior to entry into said gas cushion means, said labyrinth means providing cooling of said inflating gas prior to entry into said gas cushion means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A safety steering device according to claim 4, wherein said labyrinth means is constructed of a plurality of elongated members offset from one another to form at least an S-shaped channel through which said inflating gases flow to said gas cushion means from said gas generator means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A safety steering device according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of elongated members are constructed in said structural unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A safety steering device according to claim 1, wherein said gas generator means includes an ignition charge which upon ignition produces said inflating gas, and labyrinth means for passing said inflating gas prior to entry into said gas cushion means, said labyrinth means providing cooling of said inflating gas prior to entry into said gas cushion means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A safety steering device according to claim 7, wherein said labyrinth means is constructed of a plurality of elongated members offset from one another to form at least an S-shaped channel through which said inflating gases flow to said gas cushion means from said gas generator means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A safety steering device according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of elongated members are constructed in said structural unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |