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:
Oct. 01, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 04, 2000
Charles E. Steffens, Jr., Washington, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus ( ) for use in a vehicle comprises a steering shaft ( ) rotatable about a first axis (B) and an activatable lock ( ) operatively coupled with the steering shaft for preventing rotation of the steering shaft. The lock ( ) is deactivated by a key ( ). A vehicle steering wheel ( ) includes a hub portion ( ) and is non-rotatably connected to the steering shaft ( ) by the hub portion for joint rotation with the steering shaft. The apparatus ( ) further comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) attached to the steering wheel ( ). A movable member ( ) blocks axial movement of the steering wheel ( ) relative to the steering shaft ( ). A housing ( ) encircles a portion of the steering shaft ( ) and the hub portion ( ). The housing ( ) includes at least one opening ( ). The movable member ( ), upon rotation of the steering wheel ( ) relative to the housing ( ), moves from a first position in which the movable member is not aligned with the opening ( ) to a second position in which the movable member is aligned with the opening to permit access to the movable member.