Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-03
2001-05-08
Mai, Lanna (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
C280S731000, C074S493000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227571
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a telescoping vehicle steering column apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle driver in the event of a vehicle collision.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to help protect a vehicle occupant from injury during a vehicle collision by inflating an air bag in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. To help protect the driver of a vehicle, an air bag module containing an inflatable air bag is typically mounted in a central or hub portion of the vehicle's steering wheel.
As is known in the art, one of the challenges in the engineering of an air bag system is to help protect an occupant of a vehicle seat who is not properly seated or positioned in the vehicle seat. This so-called “out-of-position” occupant may not be wearing a seat belt. The challenge of helping to protect an out-of-position vehicle driver is even greater because the steering wheel, from which the air bag typically deploys, is located in close proximity to the driver. Thus, a need exists for an apparatus which allows the steering wheel, and the air bag module mounted on the steering wheel, to move away from an out-of-position vehicle driver during the initial stages of air bag deployment so that the impact load on the driver from the deploying air bag is reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a first steering column member rotatable about a first axis and a steering wheel mounted on the first steering column member to rotate the first steering column member about the first axis upon turning of the steering wheel. A second steering column member is connected with the first steering column member so that rotation of the first steering column member about the first axis causes rotation of the second steering column member. The first and second steering column members have a telescoping relationship and have axially overlapped portions. An air bag module is mounted on the steering wheel and includes an inflatable air bag which is inflatable into a position to help protect a vehicle driver in the event of an occurrence of a vehicle condition for which inflation of the air bag is desired. A device, when actuated, emits gas which causes the first and second steering column members to telescope together and at least a portion of the air bag module to move away from the vehicle driver as the air bag is inflated into the position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3481626 (1969-12-01), Fergle
patent: 3600003 (1971-08-01), Carey
patent: 3801123 (1974-04-01), Jira
patent: 4337967 (1982-07-01), Yoshida et al.
patent: 4649769 (1987-03-01), Venable
patent: 4968058 (1990-11-01), Jones
patent: 5295712 (1994-03-01), Omura
patent: 5342089 (1994-08-01), Fink et al.
patent: 5398963 (1995-03-01), FÖhl
patent: 5482320 (1996-01-01), Passebecq
patent: 5507521 (1996-04-01), Steffens, Jr.
patent: 5570901 (1996-11-01), Fyrainer
patent: 5609356 (1997-03-01), Mossi
patent: 5618058 (1997-04-01), Byon
patent: 5700031 (1997-12-01), Heilig et al.
patent: 5870930 (1999-02-01), Willett et al.
patent: 5893580 (1999-04-01), Hoagland et al.
patent: 0417730 (1991-03-01), None
patent: 2 633 888 (1990-01-01), None
Chen Chaozhuo
Mu Wei
Sheng Jianping
Jasmin Lynda
Mai Lanna
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
LandOfFree
Telescoping vehicle steering column apparatus for helping to... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Telescoping vehicle steering column apparatus for helping to..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Telescoping vehicle steering column apparatus for helping to... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2482711