Vehicle steering column-steering wheel assembly

• US 3,910,597 A
• Filed: 12/03/1973
• Issued: 10/07/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Akira Seko
• Original Assignee: Akira Seko
• Inventors: Seko, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/421,108
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB,87R,15B 74/552,485,492,494,423,498 224/29E
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2173 the module or part thereof being movably mounted on the vehicle
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/105 Non-rotatable hubs, e.g. the central part of the steering wheel not rotating
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/16 Steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19688 Bevel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels

Abstract

A device attached to a steering wheel-steering column assembly for stationarily supporting an air bag to protect the driver in case of collision.

Claims

1. A vehicle steering wheel assembly comprising a rotatable steering shaft, a stationary envelope enclosing at least a lower portion of said shaft, a hub fixed to an upper portion of said shaft, a first bevel gear fixed to said envelope adjacent a lower end surface of said hub, a second bevel gear rotatably mounted adjacent an upper end surface of said hub, the diameter and the number of teeth of said first and second bevel gears being equal, at least one pair of bevel piniona in rotational meshing engagement with each other, about respective axes, the diameter and number of teeth of said pinions being equal;

one of said pinions being in meshing engagement with said first bevel gear and the other of said pinions being in meshing engagement with said second bevel gear;

means for connecting each of said pinions to said hub for rotation about said respective axes;

a wheel rim;

means connecting said rim to each of said pinions for rotation of said pinions about said respective axes;

a mounting element fixed to said second bevel gear; and

a driver restraining inflatable restraint device mounted on said mounting element;

whereby said mounting element and said restraint device are maintained stationary as said wheel rim, hub and steering shaft are rotated.

2. A vehicle steering wheel assemblY according to claim 1, in which said mounting element comprises a flange to which the inflatable confinement is fastened;

and wherein the plane containing said flange is inclined with respect to a plane containing any axial end surface of the hub through a certain angle.

3. A vehicle steering wheel assembly according to claim 2, in which said mounting element comprises means for adjusting and varying said certain angle.