Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.

Alliedsignal Inc.

Derek Perkins

Thomas A Ennis

Brian Christopher Ford

Simon Xunnan He

A unique and simple method for attaching a steering wheel to a steering shaft includes a pair of securement members. The steering shaft is provided with a slot extending into an enlarged space. The first securement member extends across a bore in the steering wheel, and is threadably received in the second securement member. The steering wheel can be moved onto the steering shaft with the first securement member moving through the slot and into the space. The first securement member can then draw the second securement member into the space. Preferably, there is a tapered interface between the second securement member, the steering wheel, and the steering shaft. The tapered surface drives the steering wheel downwardly onto the steering shaft such that a wedge-lock is provided. In a further feature of this invention, an outer housing surrounds the steering shaft. The outer housing has a pair of spaced slots. The spaced slots selectively provide access to the securement members such that the steering wheel may be removable from the steering shaft, when desired. However, when the steering shaft is locked, the slots are not aligned with the securement members. This will deter theft of the steering wheel assembly. The present invention is particularly useful for modular steering wheel assemblies which incorporate an air bag into the steering wheel.

Secure attachment of steering wheel to steering shaft

An air bag module ( ) comprising: a housing ( ) having a first opening ( ) within a first housing portion ( ), a retaining member ( ) having a second opening ( ) and at least one pair of opposed open faced ramps ( ), an air bag ( ) having an inflatable cushion portion ( ) and a neck portion ( ), the neck portion is located between the housing and retaining member ( ), a cover ( ) to protect the air bag, the cover being opened by the air bag upon inflation thereof, and an inflator ( ) received within the first opening from a bottom of the first housing portion ( ) and into the second opening ( ), the inflator including a flange ( ); wherein with an edge of the inflator flange located proximate a respective open face of a ramp and the inflator rotated, the flange engages the ramps and is drawn toward the retaining member thereby sandwiching the housing and air bag therebetween.

Simplified driver side air bag assembly

An air bag ( ) having: an inflatable cushion portion ( ) and a neck portion ( ) in communication therewith, the neck portion defines a receiving opening to receive inflation gas, received from an inflator, to inflate the cushion portion ( ). The air bag is made from flexible material and a retainer member(s) ( ) and is preferably sewn to at least a part of the neck portion to reinforce the neck portion and to reduce the flexibility of the neck portion. The invention further includes an air bag module that utilizes the above air bag. The module includes a housing and an inflator. The housing has grooves ( ) for receiving a first edge of a retainer member and further includes a holding member ( ) formed as part of a wall of the housing ( ) and which is bent or crimped over to hold a second edge of the retainer member.

Air bag and module

An apparatus and method for attaching as well as removing a steering wheel to and from a steering shaft. The steering wheel includes a pair of threadably mated, first and second securement members which are movable relative to one another. One of the securement members is received within a preformed, keyed slot on the top of the steering shaft. When the securement members are tighten the second securement member is moved into the slot thereby securing the steering, wheel to the steering shaft. The apparatus further includes a movable wedge which is positionable between the top of the steering shaft and a part of the steering wheel. Inward movement of the wedge urges the steering wheel and the steering shaft apart facilitating separation and removal.

An air bag module (20) comprising: a housing (22) having a first opening (102) within a first housing portion (100), a retaining member (24) having a second opening (52) and at least one pair of opposed open faced ramps (40a,b), an air bag (26) having an inflatable cushion portion (80) and a neck portion (82), the neck portion is located between the housing and retaining member (24), a cover (30) to protect the air bag, the cover being opened by the air bag upon inflation thereof, and an inflator (28) received within the first opening from a bottom of the first housing portion (100) and into the second opening (52), the inflator including a flange (36); wherein with an edge of the inflator flange located proximate a respective open face of a ramp and the inflator rotated, the flange engages the ramps and is drawn toward the retaining member thereby sandwiching the housing and air bag therebetween.

An air bag deployment door with a switch to activate a horn, the switch including a thin, flexible optical cable operatively disposed on or within the horn activation area and a sensor responsive to a change in signal strength through the cable for generating an activation signal to energize a horn.

Growing community of inventors

Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Derek Perkins