Motor vehicle steering column safety device

• US 6,170,862 B1
• Filed: 08/05/1998
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unique Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Unique Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Hoagland, William V., Hoagland, Larry D.
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US09/129,396
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 280/731, 280/777
• US Class Current: 280/731
• 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 1/192 Yieldable or collapsible columns
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/197 incorporating devices for preventing ingress of the steering column into the passengers space in case of accident

Abstract

A steering column safety device for use in a motor vehicle having a steering wheel for communicating steering torque to a steering mechanism, and having a collision sensing assembly for sensing a collision, includes a hollow cylinder having a top end and a bottom end, the top end being sized and configured for fixed, torque-transmitting connection to a steering wheel; a piston residing within the cylinder for sliding, telescopic reciprocation between an extended position and a collapsed position; an elongated rod with first and second ends, the first end being secured to the piston and the second end being sized and configured for fixed, torque-transmitting connection to the steering mechanism; structure for transmitting torque between the cylinder and the rod; a sealing assembly for sealing the hollow cylinder to define a fluid-tight cavity within the hollow cylinder between the piston and the top end of the cylinder, the fluid-tight cavity containing prior-to-collision pressurized gas; and, a mechanism to rapidly open the sealing assembly in response to a signal generated by the collision sensing assembly, thereby permitting movement of the hollow cylinder from the extended position to the collapsed position.

Claims

1. A steering column safety device for use in a motor vehicle having a steering wheel for communicating steering torque to a steering mechanism, and having collision sensing means for sensing a collision, the steering column safety device comprising:

a hollow cylinder having a top end and a bottom end, the top end being sized and configured for fixed, torque-transmitting connection to a steering wheel;

a piston residing within the cylinder for sliding, telescopic reciprocation between an extended position and a collapsed position;

an elongated rod with first and second ends, the first end being secured to the piston and the second end being sized and configured for fixed, torque-transmitting connection to the steering mechanism;

means for transmitting torque between said cylinder and said rod;

sealing means for sealing the hollow cylinder to define a fluid-tight cavity within the hollow cylinder between said piston and the top end of said cylinder, the fluid-tight cavity containing prior-to-collision pressurized gas; and

,

opening means to rapidly open the sealing means in response to a signal generated by the collision sensing means, thereby permitting movement of the hollow cylinder from the extended position to the collapsed position.

2. The steering column safety device of claim 1 further including an air bag connectable with one of said cylinder and the steering wheel for inflation from said cylinder upon rapid opening of said sealing means.