Adjustable Grip Steering Wheel Safety System to Protect Hands and Upper Extremities in Low Impact Collisions
First Claim
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1. A safety system for protecting the upper extremities of a driver, the safety system comprising:
- a bladder disposed on or in a handgrip of a steering wheel of a vehicle;
at least one inflation device in fluid communication with the bladder; and
a controller adapted to detect a collision involving the vehicle and cause the inflation device to inflate the bladder with a fluid when the collision is detected.
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Abstract
A safety system for protecting the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, arms and shoulders of a driver includes a bladder disposed on or in a handgrip of a steering wheel of a vehicle, at least one inflation device in fluid communication with the bladder, and a controller adapted to detect a collision involving the vehicle and cause the inflation device to inflate the bladder with a fluid when the collision is detected
22 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A safety system for protecting the upper extremities of a driver, the safety system comprising:
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a bladder disposed on or in a handgrip of a steering wheel of a vehicle; at least one inflation device in fluid communication with the bladder; and a controller adapted to detect a collision involving the vehicle and cause the inflation device to inflate the bladder with a fluid when the collision is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A safety system for protecting the upper extremities of a driver, the safety system comprising:
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a bladder disposed on or in a handgrip of a steering wheel of a vehicle; at least one inflation device in fluid communication with the bladder; and a controller causing the inflation device to partially inflate the bladder with a volume of fluid sufficient to dampen pressure and vibrations transmitted through the steering wheel during normal operation of the vehicle; wherein the controller is adapted to detect a collision involving the vehicle and cause the inflation device to rapidly inflate the bladder with an additional volume of fluid sufficient to cushion the upper extremities when the collision is detected. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A safety system for protecting the upper extremities of a driver, the safety system comprising:
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at least one bladder disposed on or in a handgrip of a steering wheel of a vehicle, said steering wheel having at least two spokes connecting said handgrip to a steering hub; at least one of inflation device in fluid communication with the bladder; at least one sensor disposed on said vehicle, said sensor measuring at least one vehicle parameter; and a controller adapted to detect a collision involving the vehicle using said vehicle parameter and cause said inflation device to inflate the bladder with a fluid; wherein the bladder is positioned between the spokes. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification