Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-18
2001-02-20
English, Peter C. (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C403S348000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189920
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a driver's side air bag module and, in particular, to the mounting of an air bag module on a vehicle steering wheel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to mount an air bag module on a vehicle steering wheel. The module includes an air bag, an inflator for inflating the air bag, and a cover for covering the inflator and the air bag. The inflator is actuatable to inflate the air bag into a position to help protect the driver of the vehicle.
An air bag module is typically mounted on a steering wheel with specialized fasteners, and significant time is associated with the fastening process. It would be desirable to eliminate the need for such fasteners and to minimize the time involved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus comprising a steering wheel that can be mounted in a vehicle for rotation about a steering axis of the vehicle. The apparatus also comprises an air bag module including an air bag, an inflator for inflating the air bag, and a cover for covering the air bag and the inflator. The module has an uninstalled condition and has an installed condition in which the module is fixed to the steering wheel for rotation with the steering wheel about the steering axis. The module is rotatable in a first direction relative to the steering wheel to move the module from the uninstalled condition to the installed condition. The apparatus further comprises retainer structure for retaining the module on the steering wheel and for blocking movement of the module relative to the steering wheel from the installed condition to the uninstalled condition.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5277442 (1994-01-01), Cuevas
patent: 5409256 (1995-04-01), Gordon et al.
patent: 5427406 (1995-06-01), Zushi et al.
patent: 5445406 (1995-08-01), Jones
patent: 5508481 (1996-04-01), Williams et al.
patent: 9951465 (1999-10-01), None
English Peter C.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
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