Vehicle steering column-steering wheel assembly
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
3 Claims
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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.
- 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;
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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.
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3. A vehicle steering wheel assembly according to claim 2, in which said mounting element comprises means for adjusting and varying said certain angle.
Specification