Steering apparatus
First Claim
1. A steering apparatus to effect the steering of an automotive vehicle, said apparatus comprising a steering device, an airbag module having an airbag, and at least one electronic display screen, wherein said airbag module is deployably mounted to said steering device to form a steering assembly, said steering assembly having a deployable flap with a window and a mounting pocket, and wherein said display screen is viewably disposed between the window and the mounting pocket of said deployable flap such that when said airbag module is deployed, said airbag opens said deployable flap and said airbag expands out of said steering assembly, and wherein said deployable flap and said display screen together are substantially rapidly moved relative to said steering device as said airbag expands.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The improved steering apparatus is an invention that increases vehicular operational safety by providing means for a vehicle operator to control various vehicle functions and accessories while keeping both hands on the steering apparatus. The apparatus also automatically provides for the display of a variety of driver relevant information including automatic live video (160) feed of blind spots, rear vehicle cabin area, and road sign information (320), by displaying the information on the steering apparatus mounted video screen. The apparatus includes a built-in speaker (170) and is controlled by either voice commands or by a touching of the touch activatable video display screen (160).
90 Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A steering apparatus to effect the steering of an automotive vehicle, said apparatus comprising a steering device, an airbag module having an airbag, and at least one electronic display screen, wherein said airbag module is deployably mounted to said steering device to form a steering assembly, said steering assembly having a deployable flap with a window and a mounting pocket, and wherein said display screen is viewably disposed between the window and the mounting pocket of said deployable flap such that when said airbag module is deployed, said airbag opens said deployable flap and said airbag expands out of said steering assembly, and wherein said deployable flap and said display screen together are substantially rapidly moved relative to said steering device as said airbag expands.
- 7. A steering apparatus for a vehicle having control means to control the performance of predetermined functions, said apparatus comprising a steering wheel, an airbag module having an airbag and an electronic display screen, wherein said airbag module is deployably mounted to said steering wheel, said airbag module having an external surface defining a deployable flap, and wherein said electronic display screen is mounted within said deployable flap between a mounting pocket in the deployable flap and the external surface such that said display screen is viewably accessible to a driver of the vehicle, and wherein when said airbag module is deployed, said airbag expands in a first direction and said display screen moves together with the deployable flap in a second direction.
Specification