US4975235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of molding a fiber-reinforced composite steering wheel
Assignee: ECIA Equipements et Composants pour lIndustrie Automobile SA
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Filing: 1989-08-29
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Granted: 1990-12-04
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Expires: 2009-08-29
Abstract
Abstract Process for producing a light steering wheel having a central hub, a peripheral rim and radial arms interconnecting the hub and the rim. The process is carried out by using a mould including a punch and a matrix having an impression in the shape of the steering wheel to be produced. The impression is at least partially filled with blanks of synthetic material charged with long fibers which are uninterrupted in each blank. The steering wheel, in the shape of the impression, is directly produced in one operation by stamping the blanks in the mould with the punch to shape the blanks into the steering wheel. The blanks are placed edgewise in the mould and are unshaped relative to the shape of the produced steering wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 Christian Henigue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:00
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/28; B29C70/30; B29C70/34; B29C70/345; B29C70/68; B29C70/86; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
Process for manufacturing a lightened steering wheel, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising, a central hub, a peripheral rim and at least one approximately radial branch connecting the hub and the rim, using a mold having a punch and a matrix provided with an impression of the steering wheel to be produced, said process comprising the steps of: at least partially filling the mold with blanks of at least one synthetic material charged with long fibers, said blanks being unshaped relative to the shape of the manufactured steering wheel; and stamping these blanks with the punch directly to shape them, in one operation, into said lightened steering wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
Process for manufacturing a lightened steering wheel, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising, a central hub, a peripheral rim and at least one approximately radial branch connecting the hub and the rim, using a mold having a punch and a matrix provided with an impression of the steering wheel to be produced, said process comprising the steps of: at least partially filling the mold with blanks of at least one synthetic material charged with long fibers, said blanks being unshaped relative to the shape of the manufactured steering wheel; and stamping these blanks with the punch directly to shape them, in one operation, into said lightened steering wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of placing the blanks edgewise in the impression of the mold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Process according to claim 2, further comprising the step of heating the blanks before stamping.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Process according to claim 3, wherein said synthetic material is a thermoplastic, synthetic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Process according to claim 3, wherein said synthetic material is a heat setting synthetic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Process according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the fibers are selected from a group consisting of inorganic, organic and metallic fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Process according to claim 6, wherein the fibers are selected from a group consisting of monofilament and multi-strand fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Process according to claim 7, wherein the fibers are selected from a group consisting of twisted, cabled, oriented and woven fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Process according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the fibers are continuous and uninterrupted in each blank.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1582846A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-03 | 1994-06-04 | 1994-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-03 | 1998-06-04 | 1998-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-03 | 2002-06-04 | 2002-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |