The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 28, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 22, 2000
Ernst M. Faigle, Dryden, MI (US);
Alexander Heilig, Waldstetten, DE;
Other;
Abstract
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus ( ) comprises a steering column ( ) of a vehicle ( ) and a vehicle steering wheel ( ). The steering wheel ( ) comprises a hub ( ), a rim ( ), and at least one spoke ( ) extending from the hub to the rim. The steering wheel hub ( ) supports the steering wheel ( ) on the steering column ( ) for rotation about an axis ( ). The spoke ( ) moves through a path of movement ( ) as the steering wheel ( ) rotates about the axis ( ). The apparatus ( ) further comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The protection device ( ) is supported below the spoke ( ) and for rotation with the steering wheel ( ) about the axis ( ). The protection device ( ) is inflatable through the path of movement ( ) of the spoke ( ) to an inflated condition to help protect a driver of the vehicle ( ).