US4584900A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering wheel for automotive vehicle comprising an inflatable core and thermoset resin cover
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1980-10-16
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Granted: 1986-04-29
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Expires: 2000-10-16
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a steering wheel for an automotive vehicle, comprising a light weight expandable hollow member which is capable of maintaining its predetermined shape and defining therein a gas-sealed space, and a reinforced plastic material covering and in contact with the hollow member, thereby providing a necessary large cross-sectional area of at least the rim section of a steering wheel of decreased weight at low production cost and high production efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 Joji Masuda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:58
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/28; B29C70/40; B29C70/42; B29C70/44; B29C70/68; B29C70/86; B29C70/865; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; B29C43/00; B29C43/02; B29C43/10; B29C43/12; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/48; B29L2031/4807; B29L2031/4814; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834; Y10T74/2087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A steering wheel for an automotive vehicle, comprising: an expandable elastic hollow member which is light in weight and capable of maintaining its predetermined shape, said hollow member defining therein a gas-tight sealed space; and a reinforced plastic material comprising a thermoset resin covering and in contact with said hollow member, said thermoset resin having a sufficient rigidity to render the steering wheel self-supporting in an expanded state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A steering wheel for an automotive vehicle, comprising: an expandable elastic hollow member which is light in weight and capable of maintaining its predetermined shape, said hollow member defining therein a gas-tight sealed space; and a reinforced plastic material comprising a thermoset resin covering and in contact with said hollow member, said thermoset resin having a sufficient rigidity to render the steering wheel self-supporting in an expanded state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a high pressure gas filled in said space of said hollow member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow member is an elastic tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A steering wheel as claimed in claim 3, wherein said elastic tube is made of a rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A steering wheel as claimed in claim 3, wherein said elastic tube includes a generally cylindrical elastic mesh cloth, and a plastic film layer formed on said cylindrical mesh cloth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plastic material includes a generally cylindrical member, and a plastic material associated with said cylindrical member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A steering wheel as claimed in claim 6, wherein said cylindrical member is formed of a fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A steering wheel as claimed in claim 7, wherein said fiber is one selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, and a glass fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thermoset resin is one selected from the group consisting of epoxy resin, and unsaturated polyester resin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cover material covering the surface of said reinforced plastic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A steering wheel as claimed in claim 10, wherein said covering material is selected from the group consisting of leather, plastic, and wood.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
A steering wheel for an automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 1 produced by the process comprising the steps of: providing a light weight, expandable hollow member which is capable of maintaining its predetermined shape and which defines a gas-tight sealed space; covering the outer surface of said hollow member with a reinforced plastic material comprising a thermosetting resin; filling said sealed space of said hollow member with a high pressure gas; and thermosetting said thermosetting resin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A steering wheel produced by the process according to claim 12, further comprising the step of releasing said high pressured gas from said sealed space subsequent to said thermosetting step.
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) | 1989-04-28 | 1989-10-28 | 1990-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-28 | 1993-10-28 | 1994-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-28 | 1997-10-28 | 1998-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |