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Automatic tilt mechanism for steering wheel with inflatable restraint

  • US 5,507,521 A
  • Filed: 02/27/1995
  • Issued: 04/16/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Apparatus comprising:

  • a vehicle steering column having an upper portion, a lower portion, and means for supporting said upper portion for pivotal movement relative to said lower portion;

    a vehicle steering wheel mounted on said upper portion of said steering column for pivotal movement with said upper portion of said steering column;

    latch means including a latch member which is movable into and out of a locked condition, said latch member engaging said upper and lower portions of said steering column with each other to block said upper portion of said steering column from being pivoted manually when said latch member is in said locked condition;

    said latch means further including automatic means for pivoting said upper portion of said steering column automatically when said latch member is in said locked condition, said automatic means moving said latch member relative to said lower portion of said steering column to pivot said upper portion relative to said lower portion when said automatic means is actuated;

    means for actuating said automatic means in response to a vehicle condition indicative of a vehicle collision;

    an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint mounted for movement with said vehicle steering wheel and inflator means for inflating said restraint in response to said vehicle condition; and

    timer means for causing activation of said automatic means and said inflator means at different times.

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