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US5201544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Knee protector device for automotive vehicle
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-04-17
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Granted: 1993-04-13
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Expires: 2011-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A knee protector device for protecting driver's knees in a serious vehicle collision comprises semicylindrical inner and outer protectors reinforced by beading or projecting which are installed opposite to the drivers knees while a part of each protector is overlapped with each other. With this structure, the impact force in the collision is received by the knee protector device while stabilized at a desired value, so that the knee protector device efficiently absorbs the impact force.
Inventors
- 👤 Minoru Matano
- 👤 Naofumi Ito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:25
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A knee protector device for an automotive vehicle which is disposed opposite to driver's knees and crosses over a steering column of the automotive vehicle, said knee protector device comprising: a protector base having first and second side portions opposite to each other relative to the steering column, said protector base being connected to a body of the automotive vehicle; an inner protector of a generally semicylindrical shape fixedly connected to said first and second side portions of said protector base so as to be located opposite to the driver's knees, said inner protector having a supporting wall portion which projects at its center portion to said protector base, an end portion of said supporting wall portion being connected to said protector base; and an outer protector of a generally semicylindrical shape located between said inner protector and the driver's knees, said outer protector being connected to said first and second side portions of said protector base, at least a part of said outer protector being overlapped on at least a part of said inner protector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A knee protector device for an automotive vehicle which is disposed opposite to driver's knees and crosses over a steering column of the automotive vehicle, said knee protector device comprising: a protector base having first and second side portions opposite to each other relative to the steering column, said protector base being connected to a body of the automotive vehicle; an inner protector of a generally semicylindrical shape fixedly connected to said first and second side portions of said protector base so as to be located opposite to the driver's knees, said inner protector having a supporting wall portion which projects at its center portion to said protector base, an end portion of said supporting wall portion being connected to said protector base; and an outer protector of a generally semicylindrical shape located between said inner protector and the driver's knees, said outer protector being connected to said first and second side portions of said protector base, at least a part of said outer protector being overlapped on at least a part of said inner protector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A knee protector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer protector is provided with a bead projecting toward to be in contact with the outer surface of said inner protector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US4320909A
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JPS58150552A
Cited
US4834422A
Cited
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US4946192A
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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) | 1996-04-12 | 1996-10-12 | 1997-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-12 | 2000-10-12 | 2001-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-12 | 2004-10-12 | 2005-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |