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:
Jun. 13, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 29, 2003
Michael A. Schorle, Saint Clair Shores, MI (US);
Peter L. Vigeant, Troy, MI (US);
Joseph J. Mannino, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Bryan H. Stover, Troy, MI (US);
Michael A. Schorle, Saint Clair Shores, MI (US);
Peter L. Vigeant, Troy, MI (US);
Joseph J. Mannino, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Bryan H. Stover, Troy, MI (US);
Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Aichi, JP;
Abstract
A steering wheel subassembly with an armature and a clip. The clip has a first leg disposed in a first slot of the armature, a bend extending from the first leg, and a second leg extending from the bend. The second leg is disposed in a second slot on the armature and the clip is movable between a rest and displaced position. The clip partially obstructs a hole in the armature configured to receive a connecting part such as a pin. The clip legs exert a preload on armature engagement surfaces. The invention is further directed to a method for coupling the clip to the steering wheel armature as well as a steering wheel assembly having the steering wheel subassembly described above. The invention is still further directed to a configuration of a mounting bracket with an airbag subassembly adapted to be coupled to the steering wheel subassembly. The invention is also directed to a cover for the steering wheel subassembly wherein the cover and armature cooperate to define an access passage aligned with one of the clip legs.