US3988027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle driver protecting steering arrangement
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1974-02-19
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Granted: 1976-10-26
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Expires: 1994-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A steering column is split into two column sections, the rear upper section of which is tiltable in a direction away from the head of a vehicle driver during a collision of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshio Serizawa
- 👤 Yasuhiko Fujiwara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:24
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/197
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A steering device for a vehicle which has collision sensor means for producing a collision representing signal, the device comprising; a steering column having a front lower column section and a rear upper column section and a pivot joint connecting adjacent ends of the front section and the rear section for free gravitational downward, pivotal movement of the rear section in direction away from the head of a vehicle driver; and retainer means releasably connectable with the steering column for retaining the rear section in alignment with the front section to normally prevent said pivotal movement, said retainer means having a plurality of self-destroyable bolts to normally provide fixed connection of the retainer means with the steering column, said bolts being destroyable in response to a collision signal, whereby upon destruction of the bolts, the steering column is released from its fixed connection with the retainer means to enable said pivotal movement of the rear section with respect to the front section about the pivot joint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A steering device for a vehicle which has collision sensor means for producing a collision representing signal, the device comprising; a steering column having a front lower column section and a rear upper column section and a pivot joint connecting adjacent ends of the front section and the rear section for free gravitational downward, pivotal movement of the rear section in direction away from the head of a vehicle driver; and retainer means releasably connectable with the steering column for retaining the rear section in alignment with the front section to normally prevent said pivotal movement, said retainer means having a plurality of self-destroyable bolts to normally provide fixed connection of the retainer means with the steering column, said bolts being destroyable in response to a collision signal, whereby upon destruction of the bolts, the steering column is released from its fixed connection with the retainer means to enable said pivotal movement of the rear section with respect to the front section about the pivot joint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
140 words
A steering device for a vehicle which has collision sensor means for producing a collision representing signal, the device comprising; a steering column having a front lower column section and a rear upper column section; a pivot joint connecting adjacent ends of the front section and the rear section for free gravitational downward pivotal movement of the rear section in a direction away from the head of a vehicle driver; and retainer means for retaining the rear section in alignment with the front section to normally prevent said pivotal movement, said retainer means comprising a sleeve enclosing the adjacent ends of the rear section and front section across the pivot joint, and first and second detonator bolts for fixing the sleeve respectively to the rear section and the front section, said bolts being destroyable in response to a collision signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
140 words
A steering device for a vehicle which has collision sensor means for producing a collision representing signal, the device comprising; a steering column having a front lower column section and a rear upper column section; a pivot joint connecting adjacent ends of the front section and the rear section for free gravitational downward pivotal movement of the rear section in a direction away from the head of a vehicle driver; and retainer means for retaining the rear section in alignment with the front section to normally prevent said pivotal movement, said retainer means comprising a sleeve enclosing the adjacent ends of the rear section and front section across the pivot joint, and first and second detonator bolts for fixing the sleeve respectively to the rear section and the front section, said bolts being destroyable in response to a collision signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A steering device according to claim 2 wherein each detonator bolt contains a primer ignitable in response to the collision signal and an explosive explosible upon ignition of the primer, for self-destruction of the detonator bolt.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2254640A
Cited
US2548244A
Cited
US3487710A
Cited
US3429196A
Cited
US3521724A
Cited
US3556550A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-26 | 1980-04-26 | 1980-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-26 | 1984-04-26 | 1984-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-26 | 1988-04-26 | 1988-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |