US3938404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorbing steering assembly
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1974-04-17
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Granted: 1976-02-17
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Expires: 1994-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A steering wheel supporting assembly including first and second hubs secured on the upper end of a steering shaft and on the central portion of the spokes of the steering wheel, respectively, and a shearable connecting means collapsibly connecting the hub members to each other whereby a forward impact energy exerted on the steering column supporting assembly is at least partially absorbed by means of the collapsible connection; the hub members and collapsible connecting means are molded integrally with synthetic resin.
Inventors
- 👤 Genyo Murase
- 👤 Hisahal Mineda
- 👤 Yozo Yamaguchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:03
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/195; B62D1/04; B62D1/11; B65; B65D; B65D2571/00; B65D2571/00006; B65D2571/00012; F; F16; F16B; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/63; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A steering wheel mounting apparatus comprising: a hub member securely mounted on the top end of a steering shaft of a vehicle and provided with a convex spherical periphery; a supporting member connected to the spokes of a steering wheel and provided with a concave spherical inner circumference corresponding with said convex periphery of said hub member; and radially extending connecting means for shearably connecting said hub member and said supporting member coupled to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A steering wheel mounting apparatus comprising: a hub member securely mounted on the top end of a steering shaft of a vehicle and provided with a convex spherical periphery; a supporting member connected to the spokes of a steering wheel and provided with a concave spherical inner circumference corresponding with said convex periphery of said hub member; and radially extending connecting means for shearably connecting said hub member and said supporting member coupled to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A steering wheel mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hub member, said supporting member and said connecting means are integrally molded with synthetic resin covering said steering wheel and said spokes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A steering wheel mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises a plurality of shearable pins for radially connecting said hub member with said supporting member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A steering wheel mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: a first plurality of holes formed in said hub member; and a second plurality of holes formed through said supporting member and corresonding to said first plurality of holes; said shearable pins extending through said second and into said first plurality of holes to secure said hub and supporting members to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
A steering wheel mounting apparatus, comprising: a hub member fixed to a steering shaft of a vehicle and having a concave part-spherically exterior surface; a support member fixed to a steering wheel of the vehicle and having a part-spherically shaped interior surface complementary to said concave surface of said hub member, said support member interior surface extending over said hub member to contain said hub member within said support member and to inhibit substantial relative longitudinal movement of said hub and support members; and radially extending connecting means for shearably connecting said hub and supporting members to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
99 words
A steering wheel mounting apparatus, comprising: a hub member fixed to a steering shaft of a vehicle and having a concave part-spherically exterior surface; a support member fixed to a steering wheel of the vehicle and having a part-spherically shaped interior surface complementary to said concave surface of said hub member, said support member interior surface extending over said hub member to contain said hub member within said support member and to inhibit substantial relative longitudinal movement of said hub and support members; and radially extending connecting means for shearably connecting said hub and supporting members to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A steering wheel mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising: a first plurality of holes radially formed in said hub member; and a second plurality of holes formed through said supporting member and corresponding to said first plurality of holes; wherein said connecting means comprises a plurality of shearable pins extending radially through said second and into said first plurality of holes to secure said hub and supporting members to each other.
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) | 1979-02-16 | 1979-08-18 | 1980-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-16 | 1983-08-18 | 1984-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-16 | 1987-08-18 | 1988-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |