Apparatus for restraining a driver of a vehicle
US5615910A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D1/04
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) includes a vehicle steering wheel unit (12) for use with a vehicle steering column (14). The steering wheel unit (12) has parts which are interconnected separately from the steering column (14). The interconnected parts of the steering wheel unit (12) include a steering wheel structure (40,190), an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (22), an inflator housing (160), and a cover (30) for covering the restraint (22) and the inflator housing (160) on the steering wheel structure (40,190). The steering wheel structure (40,190) includes a rim (42), at least one spoke (44), and a hub plate (190) which supports the rim (42) and the spoke (44) for rotation about an axis (45). The hub plate (190) further functions as a reaction plate for supporting the inflator housing (160) on the steering wheel structure (40). The cover (30) includes inner and outer cover parts (56,58) which respectively include inner and outer deployment door layers (80,82; 90,92) extending over the restraint. Each of the cover parts (56,58) is connected directly to the steering wheel structure (40,190).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.