US4633734A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering wheel
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1984-03-14
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Granted: 1987-01-06
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Expires: 2004-03-14
Abstract
Abstract In a steering wheel for an automobile or the like comprising a rim, a spoke and a boss, the rim comprises a core of lightweight material and a plastic layer reinforced with unidirectional reinforcing fiber and surrounding the core, and the spoke is formed from a metal and has one end secured to the boss which is also formed from a metal, while the other end of the spoke is secured to the rim by a plastic layer reinforced with unidirectional reinforcing fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Isamu Yano
- 👤 Ryoji Fujita
- 👤 Hidetoshi Kitakoga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:55
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
In a steering wheel comprising an annular rim forming a grip, a boss for connection to a steering shaft and a spoke connecting the rim and the boss, the improvement wherein said rim comprises a core of lightweight material and a plastic layer reinforced with unidirectional reinforcing fiber and surrounding said core, and said spoke is formed from a metal and has one end secured to said boss, said boss being formed from a metal, while the other end of said spoke is secured to said rim by a plastic layer reinforced with unidirectional reinforcing fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a steering wheel comprising an annular rim forming a grip, a boss for connection to a steering shaft and a spoke connecting the rim and the boss, the improvement wherein said rim comprises a core of lightweight material and a plastic layer reinforced with unidirectional reinforcing fiber and surrounding said core, and said spoke is formed from a metal and has one end secured to said boss, said boss being formed from a metal, while the other end of said spoke is secured to said rim by a plastic layer reinforced with unidirectional reinforcing fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A steering wheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said spoke is of the hollow metal construction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A steering wheel as set forth in claim 2, wherein said spoke comprises a hollow pipe of carbon steel, aluminum, duralumin or stainless steel having a rectangular cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A steering wheel as set forth in claim 2, wherein said spoke comprises a hollow pipe of carbon steel, aluminum, duralumin or stainless steel having a circular cross section, except at one end thereof which has an oval cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A steering wheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said spoke comprises a metal strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A steering wheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lightweight material is plastics or rubber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A steering wheel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reinforcing fiber is carbon, aramid, glass or alumina fiber.
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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) | 1990-01-05 | 1990-07-07 | 1991-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-05 | 1994-07-07 | 1995-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-05 | 1998-07-07 | 1999-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |