VEHICLE SAFETY ASSEMBLY

• US 3,680,884 A
• Filed: 10/21/1970
• Issued: 08/01/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Stephenson
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Stephenson
• Inventors: Stephenson, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Application Number:
  US05/082,562
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB,15B,87R
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2032 the inflator or inflatable member not being rotatable with the steering wheel; Arrangements using the steering column or steering wheel rim for storing, supplying or evacuating the inflation gas or for storing the inflatable member

Abstract

A vehicle safety assembly adapted for connection to a conventional steering column which includes a housing surrounding a steering shaft. The assembly includes a steering wheel which is splined for connection to the steering shaft with a hub portion having a plurality of holes therein communicating with the interior of an inflatable bag which is held in sealing engagement with the steering wheel. A cup-shaped member is connected to the housing of the steering column and defines an annular chamber in sealing engagement with the steering wheel. A conduit is in communication with the cup-shaped member at one end and with a source of pressurized fluid at the other end whereby the bag may be inflated during crash or collision conditions. The system is adapted for connection to conventional steering columns presently utilized in automobiles.

Claims

1. A vehicle safety assembly adapted for connection to a steering column having a housing surrounding a steering shaft, said assembly comprising:

a steering wheel adapted for connection to the shaft for rotating the latter, said steering wheel adapted for disposition on said steering shaft and including a hub, an outer ring and a plurality of spokes extending therebetween, inflatable bag means supported by said steering wheel by connection to at least one of the spokes thereof, and having a collapsed position and an extended position for engaging an occupant of the vehicle, chamber means defining an annular chamber and adapted for connection to the steering column within said wheel so that said annular chamber is disposed about the axis of the shaft, said chamber means adapted for attachment directly to the housing of said steering column, rotary pressure sealing means between said steering wheel and said chamber means for allowing rotary movement of said steering wheel relative to said chamber means while preventing fluid leakage from said chamber, and means establishing fluid communication between said chamber and said inflatable means, said hub having at least one passage therethrough and in communication with said chamber, said inflatable bag means is in sealing relationship with said hub about said passage therein, a source of pressurized fluid for providing fluid to said chamber, a rupturable means disposed in the fluid path between said source of fluid and said bag means, said source of fluid including a conduit extending from said chamber and adapted to extend along the housing of the steering column, said chamber means being a generally cup-shaped member having a hole in the bottom thereof for disposition about the steering shaft, said hub including a radial portion and a downwardly extending cylindrical portion, said sealing means including a seal between the bottom of said cylindrical portion and said cup-shaped member, and a seal between the upper extremity of said cup-shaped member and said hub, said bag means having an opening therein disposed about said radial portion of said hub, and a plate disposed within said bag means and having an opening therein about said radial portIon of said hub, and means securing said plate to said steering wheel for maintaining said bag means in sealing relationship with said steering wheel.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said radial portion of said hub includes a plurality of said passages therethrough and spaced about said cylindrical portion.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said cylindrical portion is splined for disposition on a splined steering shaft.