Famous Patents
3M employee and church chorister Art Fry needed something to temporarily mark pages in his hymnal. He was in luck because his colleague, Spencer Silver, accidentally developed a glue that was too weak for other purposes. After initially discouraging consumer response, Post-it Notes became a hit in 1979.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7753408 | Composite component and method for producing a composite component The invention relates to a composite component comprising an insert made of expanded metal surrounded by foamed material, particularly a steering column collision protection element. ... | 07/13/2010 |
| 7669896 | Anti-intrusion pedal system Road wheels of a vehicle are provided with a steering shaft for transmitting a steering force from a steering wheel. An electric power steering unit (accessory) is disposed to a lateral side of the steering shaft. A clutch pedal is disposed below the electric power ... | 03/02/2010 |
| 7425020 | Steering wheel suspension system The present invention refers to a steering wheel suspension system to reduce the risk of injury to the driver in connection with a vehicle collision, wherein the system includes a steering wheel axle (1), a steering wheel shaft (3) in which the steerin... | 09/16/2008 |
| 7393013 | Structural knee bolster A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bo... | 07/01/2008 |
| 7364189 | Volume-filling mechanical structures with means for deploying same in a bolster system A volume-filling mechanical structure for modifying a crash including: a bolster system defined by an outer bolster and an inner bolster; a honeycomb celled material expandable from a dormant state to a deployed state, the honeycomb celled material disposed intermed... | 04/29/2008 |
| 7344159 | Steering-column fixing-panel assembly of cowl crossmember A steering-column fixing-panel assembly of a cowl crossmember comprises a pair of first and second upper panels, and a single lower panel. Each of the upper panels includes a circular groove for use in the engagement of a crossbar of the cowl crossmember, inner and ... | 03/18/2008 |
| 7314229 | Occupant restriction device An occupant restriction device includes a shock absorbing body that is installed in a lower portion of a dashboard of a vehicle in front of an occupant's seat and arranged to be generally in front of left and right kneecaps of an occupant when the occupant sits on t... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7225701 | Locking device having an actuating lever for an adjustable steering column A locking device has an actuating lever for an adjustable steering column in a vehicle. The locking device is provided between a mounting fixed on the vehicle and a casing tube. The casing tube surrounds the steering column and can be adjusted relative to the mounti... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7174755 | Mounting structure of steering column locking device Disclosed herein is a mounting structure of a steering column locking device which makes it possible for the steering column locking device to be rotated upwards with respect to a steering column by an impact when part of a driver's body bumps against the steering c... | 02/13/2007 |
| 7128342 | Linear tracking knee bolster assembly A collapsible steering assembly features a guide bracket for attachment to a vehicle. A steering mechanism is interconnected with the guide bracket by a steering mechanism support. A plurality of guide rods are arranged about a common collapse axis and extend in non... | 10/31/2006 |
| 7077431 | Flexible gap covering between an adjustable steering column of a motor vehicle and an instrument panel and method of making same A flexible gap covering between an adjustable steering column of a motor vehicle and an instrument panel, on one side, is fastened to the steering column covering and, on the other side, is fastened to the instrument panel. A flexible gap covering which permits a la... | 07/18/2006 |
| 7066701 | Fastener for variously sized studs The disclosed fastener includes a body having a cavity therein and a wall at least partially surrounding said cavity. The fastener additionally includes a finger having a first member extending from the wall. The first member is attached to a second member having at... | 06/27/2006 |
| 7052043 | Tilt steering apparatus for vehicle A tilt steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower steering shaft of which low end being mounted with a steering gear, an upper steering shaft of which top end being mounted with a steering wheel, a universal joint that joints a top end of the lower steering s... | 05/30/2006 |
| 6962367 | Safety device and method for a vehicle with a steering system A method and apparatus for a vehicle wherein a load absorption for an impact of the knees relative to the steering column is provided arranged in case of an accident to be adjusted toward the driver's knees. ... | 11/08/2005 |
| 6863307 | Driver's knee protecting apparatus of a vehicle The invention relates to a driver's knee protecting apparatus of a vehicle which can allow a shroud to rotate against a steering column at the time of a collision, thereby dispersing and reducing the force of impact when the driver's knees are bumped against the shr... | 03/08/2005 |
| 6776253 | Electric power steering apparatus Disclosed is an electric power steering apparatus in which an electric motor for producing a steering assist force is provided in a steering column. Vibration from the electric motor is transmitted to a member such as a knee protector, for example, supported on the ... | 08/17/2004 |
| 6669233 | Bodily-injury protective system of pillows located within a vehicle Air bags in vehicles, upon exploding when a collision occurs, can injure one's face and head. To avoid such bodily injury to a motorist, one or more soft pillow of the proper size are attached to the top of the steering wheel. The pillows, with rip-resist... | 12/30/2003 |
| 6668683 | Vehicle steering wheel The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel with a steering wheel rim, the steering wheel comprising a skeleton, and a skeleton covering which is visible from the exterior and has recesses. The skeleton covering is provided in a region of the steeri... | 12/30/2003 |
| 6418814 | Steering wheel with at least one covering element A steering wheel has at least one covering part affixed to a steering wheel rim. At least one mechanical connecting element, in particular a clip-type connecting part, is placed between the steering wheel rim and the covering part.... | 07/16/2002 |
| 6394241 | Energy absorbing shear strip bender A simple, low cost energy absorbing shear strip bender that provides constant load, tailored load, or adjustable load/displacement profiles for use in any application where a single use energy absorber is required. Examples include, but are not limited to... | 05/28/2002 |
| 6390503 | Occupant's knee protection system The present invention comprises a column support fixed to a deck cross member extending along a width of a vehicle; a steering column supported by the column support; a column bracket disposed about an axis of the steering column in such a manner as to wi... | 05/21/2002 |
| 6361074 | Steering structure of vehicle A steering structure of a vehicle is provided in which when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied from outside to a flexible transmitting member which connects to a steering unit and an operation detecting unit which detects an ... | 03/26/2002 |
| 6349965 | Vehicle safety device for the protection of the feet of an occupant The invention relates to a vehicle safety device for the protection of the feet of an occupant, in particular of a driver. The vehicle safety device comprises an adjusting device and a section of a floor of the vehicle in a region of the occupant's feet. ... | 02/26/2002 |
| 6327930 | Pedal displacement-control structure for a vehicle A pedal displacement control structure for a vehicle comprising: a pedal bracket fixed to a first member of a vehicle body which is displaced to rearward of the vehicle when an external force larger than a predetermined value is exerted to the front porti... | 12/11/2001 |
| 6322099 | Device for deflating and restraining inadvertently deployed vehicle airbag A safety device for restraining and deflating an airbag. The safety device 10 is intended to be used by rescue personnel at vehicle accident scenes to prevent the risk of injury to rescue personnel and/or an accident victim from an inadvertent deployment ... | 11/27/2001 |
| 6312011 | Steering wheel having a steering wheel hollow A steering wheel is fastened on a steering column by a steering wheel hollow (1). Within this steering wheel hollow (1), an airbag (15) is fastened on a plate (11) which in the rest position bears against the base (2) of the steering wheel hollow (1) and,... | 11/06/2001 |
| 6260883 | Steering column holding structure A steering column holding structure, includes: a column lower bracket locating at rear end of an automobile in relation to a pedal lever, the column lower bracket holding a steering column, wherein the column lower bracket comprises: a column holding sect... | 07/17/2001 |
| 6203055 | Safety device for an airbag-system A safety device for an airbag-system which has not been triggered by an accident, comprising a fabric which is suitable for surrounding a steering wheel of a motorcar which is provided with the airbag-system. The fabric is suitable for tightening at the s... | 03/20/2001 |
| 6149188 | Self-aligning energy absorbing plate for a steering wheel A steering wheel assembly has a mounting plate which secures a molded steering wheel to a steering shaft in a vehicle. The mounting plate has a pair of slots having respective longitudinal axes which intersect the plane of the steering wheel at a six o'cl... | 11/21/2000 |
| 6120057 | Vehicle passenger safety method and air bag module for the implementation thereof A vehicle passenger safety method in which a gas bag in an airbag module is inflated in between the passenger and parts of the vehicle when a crash occurs. The cover of the gas bag moves away from the passenger before the gas bag is inflated. Preferably, ... | 09/19/2000 |
| 6116647 | Steering column in a motor vehicle A steering column in a motor vehicle having a steering shaft which, in the event of a crash, can be displaced axially in the direction of the vehicle front by a load on the steering wheel. The steering column has a shell element around the steering shaft ... | 09/12/2000 |
| 6095549 | Airbag system for motor vehicles An airbag system for motor vehicles with at least one gas bag and at least one associated gas generator, whereby the airbag system is at least partially shiftable by the occupant. The section of the airbag system shiftable by the occupant is supported by ... | 08/01/2000 |
| 6003406 | Steering wheel having a collapsible hub A steering wheel having a collapsible hub, the steering wheel comprising a wheel 100 having a rim 140, a plurality of spokes 130 connected with the rim 140 and a lower plate 150 having edges and connected with the spokes 130 at the middle of the wheel 100... | 12/21/1999 |
| 5997028 | Device for counteracting uncontrolled activation of air bags An apparatus for counteracting uncontrolled activations of air bags inflated by a pyrotechnical charge following a strong deceleration such as a crash. The apparatus has a pair of center plates having at least three arms displaced in relation to each othe... | 12/07/1999 |
| 5911435 | Air bag restrictor A new air bag restrictor for restricting the inflation of a driver's side air bag that has not inflated after a crash to permit safe extraction of an injured person within the vehicle. The inventive device includes an elongate bar having a longitudinal ax... | 06/15/1999 |
| 5826901 | Airbag system for vehicle The invention relates to an airbag system for motor vehicles with an airbag and at least one associated gas generator for inflating the airbag in the event of an accident involving the vehicle. According to the invention, the airbag system is fixed on the... | 10/27/1998 |
| 5810393 | Steering column support for a motor vehicle A steering column support for a motor vehicle includes a steering column unit, a cross member supporting the steering column unit, at least one reinforcing strut connected with the cross member, and a receiving element for a knee restraint connected with ... | 09/22/1998 |
| 5782136 | Motor vehicle steering column which is divisible into mutually separable strut parts A steering column for a motor vehicle comprises struts as a support of the steering column tube on vehicle parts. At least one of these struts extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle. On at least one transversely extending strut, at least one s... | 07/21/1998 |
| 5727814 | Motor vehicle safety restraint blanket A reinforced woven blanket can be used to protect a passenger lying on a seat of a motor vehicle, by surrounding the entire torso with a single restraint that can use the known webbing, latch plates, buckles, and anchorage, that comply with today's federa... | 03/17/1998 |
| 5649455 | Vehicle steering wheel A vehicle steering wheel is provided with a shock-absorbing device collapsibly mounted in the center pad for absorbing shock energy generated upon a vehicle collision. The shock absorbing device comprises a honeycomb core structure preferably of steel or ... | 07/22/1997 |
