Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-04
2002-10-01
Rice, Kenneth R. (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S728200, C074S552000, C403S359100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06457743
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus for use with a steering wheel assembly. More particularly, the invention is directed to an apparatus for use in a vehicle having a steering wheel mounted on a rotatable steering shaft, an air bag module mounted on the steering wheel, and a lock for preventing rotation of the steering shaft and the steering wheel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As a means for deterring and preventing vehicle theft, most vehicles are equipped with a locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the vehicle steering shaft. The typical locking mechanism is deactivated when a vehicle-specific ignition key is inserted into a corresponding ignition keyhole arranged on the steering column and the key is subsequently turned. When the vehicle is parked (i.e., the vehicle ignition is turned OFF and the key is removed), it is typical for the steering wheel to be oriented such that the vehicle is pointed for travel in a generally straight line.
Most new vehicles are also equipped with a driver-side inflatable vehicle occupant protection device in the form of an air bag module mounted to the vehicle steering wheel to help protect the driver of the vehicle from injury in certain types of vehicle collisions. Because of the relatively high cost of an unactuated driver-side air bag module, theft of these steering wheel mounted air bag modules has become common.
Recently, so-called “integrated” steering wheel assemblies have been suggested in which a driver-side air bag module is incorporated into a steering wheel assembly prior to installation of the steering wheel assembly in the vehicle. As a result, theft of such an integrated air bag module involves theft of the entire integrated steering wheel assembly, which is more costly to replace than just an air bag module.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for preventing the theft of an integrated steering wheel assembly having a driver-side air bag module incorporated in the assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for use in a vehicle that uses a key to energize the vehicle's electrical system. The apparatus comprises a steering shaft rotatable about a first axis and an activatable lock operatively coupled with the steering shaft for preventing rotation of the steering shaft. The lock is deactivated by the key. A vehicle steering wheel assembly has a hub portion. The steering wheel assembly is non-rotatably connected to the steering shaft by the hub portion for joint rotation with the steering shaft. The apparatus further comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device for helping to protect the driver of the vehicle in a vehicle collision. The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is attached to the steering wheel. A movable member blocks axial movement of the steering wheel relative to the steering shaft. A housing encircles a portion of the steering shaft and the hub portion of the steering wheel. The housing includes at least one transversely extending opening. The movable member, upon rotation of the steering wheel relative to the housing, moves from a first position in which the movable member is not aligned with the opening to a second position in which the movable member is aligned with the opening to permit access to the movable member.
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Buchanan Christopher
Rice Kenneth R.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
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