US3893348A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety steering for motor vehicles
Assignee: Daimler Benz AG
•
Filing: 1974-04-02
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Granted: 1975-07-08
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Expires: 1994-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A safety steering arrangement for motor vehicles in which a plastically deformable deformation member is arranged between the steering wheel and the upper end of the steering shaft; an upper part of the steering shaft is thereby so supported at a fixed vehicle part that it can be pivoted into such a position under the influence of forces engaging at the steering wheel which are smaller than the forces necessary for the deformation of the deformation member, that its center longitudinal axis extends approximately horizontally or the plane of the steering wheel extends approximately vertically while means are provided in the connection of the steering shaft which enable the pivoting of the upper part of the steering shaft with respect to a further part thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Egon Rieth
- 👤 Bela Barenyi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:20
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; B62D1/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A safety steering for motor vehicles which includes a steering shaft means, a steering wheel and a deformation means plastically deformable in case of an impact of the driver, said deformation means being arranged between the steering wheel and the upper end of the steering shaft means, characterized by means for mounting an upper part of the steering shaft means at a fixed vehicle part in such a manner that it can be pivoted under the influence of forces engaging at the steering wheel which are smaller than the forces necessary for the deformation of the deformation means into such a position that its center longitudinal axis extends approximately horizontally or the plane of the steering wheel extends approximately vertically, and in that further means are provided in the train of the steering shaft means which enable the pivoting of the upper part of the steering shaft means with respect to a further part thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A safety steering for motor vehicles which includes a steering shaft means, a steering wheel and a deformation means plastically deformable in case of an impact of the driver, said deformation means being arranged between the steering wheel and the upper end of the steering shaft means, characterized by means for mounting an upper part of the steering shaft means at a fixed vehicle part in such a manner that it can be pivoted under the influence of forces engaging at the steering wheel which are smaller than the forces necessary for the deformation of the deformation means into such a position that its center longitudinal axis extends approximately horizontally or the plane of the steering wheel extends approximately vertically, and in that further means are provided in the train of the steering shaft means which enable the pivoting of the upper part of the steering shaft means with respect to a further part thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation means consists of sheet metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that the further means includes a torsion resistant deformation member arranged in the train of the multi-partite steering shaft means, said deformation member operatively connecting two parts of said multi-partite steering shaft means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A safety steering according to claim 3, characterized in that the deformation member is of corrugated construction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that said further means includes at least one Cardan joint means arranged in the train of the multi-partite steering shaft means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A safety steering according to claim 3, characterized in that the upper part of the steering shaft means connected with the steering wheel is supported at a deformation member mounted at a relatively fixed vehicle part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper part of the steering shaft means connected with the steering wheel is supported in a rocker means pivotal about a substantially transverse vehicle axis and is connected with an adjoining part of the steering shaft means by way of a Cardan joint means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A safety steering according to claim 7, characterized in that an Abutment is provided for preventing a pivoting up of the rocker means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A safety steering according to claim 7, characterized in that a deformation member is provided which is deformed during a pivoting of the rocker means in the downward direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A safety steering according to claim 9, characterized in that said deformation means is in the form of a clip.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A safety steering according to claim 9, characterized in that an abutment is provided for preventing a pivoting up of the rocker means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper part of the steering shaft means connected with the steering wheel is supported on a slide carriage means which is pivotal with respect to fixed vehicle parts under interposition of roller means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
A safety steering according to claim 12, characterized in that the upper part of the steering shaft means connected with the steering wheel is connected with a lower part thereof by way of an intermediate member variable in its length and provided at its two ends with Cardan joint means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower part of the steering shaft means is supported in pivot bearing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A safety steering with an outer column according to claim 14, characterized in that the outer column together with the steering shaft means supported therein is pivotally suspended about a cross axis fixed at the vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper part of the steering shaft means connected with the steering wheel is supported at a deformation member mounted at a relatively fixed vehicle part.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper part of the steering shaft means connected with the steering wheel is connected with a lower part thereof by way of an intermediate member variable in its length and provided at its two ends with Cardan joint means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
A safety steering with an outer column according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer column together with the steering shaft means supported therein is pivotally suspended about a cross axis fixed at the vehicle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A safety steering according to claim 3, characterized in that the lower part of the steering shaft means is supported in pivot bearing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3028766A
Cited
US3803938A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |