Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
In a safety steering wheel comprising a cover composed of soft elastic plastic and an impact protector on a hub of the steering wheel and including a gas bag in a collapsed rest position, means for inflating the bag in response to an impact, a housing for the inflating means and the cover disposed over the gas bag and composed of soft elastic plastic and an embedded reinforcing layer having a rated breaking line, the improvement comprising: a carrier for the housing, a frame secured to the carrier and surrounding the housing and the gas bag and having a plurality of retaining members integrally joined to the frame and wherein at least one retaining member is attached to an edge of the frame facing a driver and is bendable from a rest position wherein it extends in front of the collapsed gas bag in its rest position to a position toward a driver along a straight line when the bag is inflated, wherein the reinforcing layer is connected to the at least one retaining member and is composed of hard plastic and the rated breaking line of the cover extends along sides of said reinforcing layer, said retaining members being disposed over the gas bag to an extent which is considerably less than the upper surface of the entire gas bag in its collapsed rest position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a safety steering wheel comprising a cover composed of soft elastic plastic and an impact protector on a hub of the steering wheel and including a gas bag in a collapsed rest position, means for inflating the bag in response to an impact, a housing for the inflating means and the cover disposed over the gas bag and composed of soft elastic plastic and an embedded reinforcing layer having a rated breaking line, the improvement comprising: a carrier for the housing, a frame secured to the carrier and surrounding the housing and the gas bag and having a plurality of retaining members integrally joined to the frame and wherein at least one retaining member is attached to an edge of the frame facing a driver and is bendable from a rest position wherein it extends in front of the collapsed gas bag in its rest position to a position toward a driver along a straight line when the bag is inflated, wherein the reinforcing layer is connected to the at least one retaining member and is composed of hard plastic and the rated breaking line of the cover extends along sides of said reinforcing layer, said retaining members being disposed over the gas bag to an extent which is considerably less than the upper surface of the entire gas bag in its collapsed rest position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the retaining members are integrally connected to the frame by narrow webs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein the retaining members have apertures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the frame has outwardly projecting indentations and fastening elements connecting the frame to the carrier and protruding into said indentations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing layer has apertures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A steering wheel according to claim 5, wherein the apertures consist of regularly arranged holes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A steering wheel according to claim 5, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises a network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the frame and the retaining members are integrally joined and comprise sheet metal having a thickness of from 0.5 to 1.5 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A steering wheel according to claim 8, wherein the frame is formed by deep drawing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A steering wheel according to claim 8, wherein the frame is formed from a stamped sheet metal strip, to a suitable shape and has been soldered or welded.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing layer is a stiff layer.