US4876915A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering wheel
Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1989-03-28
•
Granted: 1989-10-31
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Expires: 2009-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A steering wheel for a motor vehicle having a covering material of synthetic resin injection-molded around a core metal and resinous inserts, characterized in that positioning protrusions in contact with or located close to the surfaces of injection molding dies are provided on each of the resinous inserts.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasuaki Iuchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:00
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/30; B29L2031/3047; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49481; Y10T29/49488; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A steering wheel intermediate product including a part on which a thick covering material is molded, comprising: a core metal; at least one resinous insert, each said insert having positioning protrusions defined on both top and bottom surfaces thereof; and first means for covering said core metal and said at least one resinous insert which is injection molded into a die containing said core metal and said at least one resinous insert so as to define therewith the steering wheel intermediate product, a position of the at least one resinous insert which is spaced apart and separated from the core metal being defined in the die while the protrusions of the resinous insert contact the die, the height of said positioning protrusions being substantially equal to or less than a thickness of said first covering means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A steering wheel intermediate product including a part on which a thick covering material is molded, comprising: a core metal; at least one resinous insert, each said insert having positioning protrusions defined on both top and bottom surfaces thereof; and first means for covering said core metal and said at least one resinous insert which is injection molded into a die containing said core metal and said at least one resinous insert so as to define therewith the steering wheel intermediate product, a position of the at least one resinous insert which is spaced apart and separated from the core metal being defined in the die while the protrusions of the resinous insert contact the die, the height of said positioning protrusions being substantially equal to or less than a thickness of said first covering means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The steering wheel intermediate product of claim 1, wherein said first means for covering comprises injected molded glass-fiber reinforced polypropylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A steering wheel comprising, in combination, the steering wheel intermediate product of claim 1, and further comprising second covering means injection molded in surrounding relation to said first means for covering.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A steering wheel as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second covering means comprises flexible polyvinyl chloride injection molded in surrounding relation to said first covering means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The steering wheel intermediate product of claim 1, wherein said positioning protrusions of each said resinous insert are defined integrally therewith and each said positioning protrusion is in the form of a projection having a semicircular cross-section.
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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) | 1992-10-30 | 1993-05-01 | 1993-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-30 | 1997-05-01 | 1997-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-30 | 2001-05-01 | 2001-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |