Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-03
2001-10-23
English, Peter C. (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
C280S731000, C280S732000, C280S735000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305711
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a vehicle safety apparatus and, in particular, to an apparatus for reducing the load on a vehicle occupant arising from contact with an inflating air bag.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to provide an energy absorbing structure in a vehicle steering column. If, in the event of a vehicle collision, the driver contacts the steering wheel with sufficient force, the steering column telescopes, or “strokes”, to reduce the load on the driver. If the steering column supports a driver's side air bag, the steering column can telescope under force applied by the driver to the inflated air bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,988,027 describes a vehicle driver protecting steering arrangement including one or more explosive bolts supporting the steering column. In the event of a vehicle collision, the explosive bolts are actuated to release the steering column. The steering column is released to pivot downward, under the force of gravity, in an attempt to move the steering wheel out of the path of forward movement of the occupant's head and chest.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle safety apparatus comprising a vehicle steering column connected to a vehicle steering wheel to turn rotatable steerable vehicle wheels. A module is operatively associated with the steering wheel and includes an inflatable device for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle. An inflator is connected with the inflatable device to provide inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device. The apparatus also includes at least one actuatable fastener connected between the steering column and a vehicle part. The actuatable fastener has an unactuated condition blocking movement of the steering column in a forward direction in the vehicle relative to the vehicle part. The actuatable fastener has an actuated condition releasing the steering column for movement in the vehicle relative to the vehicle part under load applied to the inflatable device by the vehicle occupant. The forward movement of the steering column effects forward movement of the inflatable device. The actuatable fastener is preferably a pyrotechnic fastener.
The present invention also relates to a vehicle safety apparatus comprising a vehicle steering column connected to a vehicle steering wheel to turn rotatable steerable vehicle wheels. An inflatable device has a folded, uninflated condition and an unfolded, inflated condition for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle. A vehicle part is spaced apart from the vehicle steering wheel. A housing is mounted to the vehicle part and contains the inflatable device. At least one actuatable fastener fastens the housing to the vehicle part. The actuatable fastener has an unactuated condition securing the housing to the vehicle part and blocking movement of the housing in a forward direction in the vehicle relative to the vehicle part. The actuatable fastener comprises a pyrotechnic rivet. The actuatable fastener has an actuated condition releasing the housing for movement in the forward direction in the vehicle relative to the vehicle part under load applied to the inflatable device by the vehicle occupant. The forward movement of the housing enables forward movement of the inflatable device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3481626 (1969-12-01), Fergle
patent: 3988027 (1976-10-01), Serizawa et al.
patent: 4968058 (1990-11-01), Jones
patent: 4989898 (1991-02-01), Yamaguchi et al.
patent: 5295712 (1994-03-01), Omura
patent: 5695214 (1997-12-01), Faigle et al.
patent: 5826901 (1998-10-01), Adomeit
patent: 6095549 (2000-08-01), Adomeit et al.
Bauer John G.
Seybold John M.
Steffens, Jr. Charles E.
English Peter C.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
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