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...When G.G. Hubbard learned of his future son-in-law's invention, he called it "only a toy." His daughter was engaged to a young man named Alexander Graham Bell.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7422239 | Energy absorbing steering apparatus An energy absorbing steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a support member for supporting a steering column by detachably attaching the steering column to a vehicle body and an energy absorption apparatus for relatively movably supporting the steering column rel... | 09/09/2008 |
| 7357230 | Damper and automobile seat having the damper A damper (1) has silicone-based unvulcanized rubber (4) interposed between a housing (2) and a shaft (3) which are disposed in such a manner as to be relatively rotatable about an axis (A) in (R) directions with respect to each other, and... | 04/15/2008 |
| 7322609 | Energy absorbing strap with variable pull loads An apparatus includes first and second steering column members disposed for movement relative to one another. The apparatus also includes an anvil associated with one of the first and second steering column members. The anvil is spaced from the other of the first an... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7311334 | Shock absorbing type steering device for vehicles and method of producing the same A shock absorbing type steering device decreases variations in press fitting loads corresponding to a friction force between two columns. A shock can be appropriately absorbed by relative movements of the two columns in an axial direction. At least one of a first co... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7305799 | Bearing brace apparatus A brace apparatus having a core member adapted to absorb energy by undergoing plastic deformation and a buckling restraining assembly that maintains the structural integrity of the brace apparatus once the core member has undergone plastic deformation. A core member... | 12/11/2007 |
| 7275776 | Vehicle impact energy management system An impact energy management system for absorbing or displacing kinetic energy during a collision. The system includes a housing defining a chamber and a contact element disposed at least partially within the chamber and longitudinally movable therein. A tab extends ... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7219927 | Steering column having variable impact-absorbing structure A steering column having a variable impact-absorbing structure includes an inner column tube, an outer column tube disposed at an outer circumferential part of the inner column tube, a guide fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the outer column tube, a strap... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7198297 | Impact absorbing type steering column apparatus An impact absorbing type steering column apparatus provided with a collision energy absorbing device for absorbing an energy of a secondary collision of an occupant upon a collision of a vehicle comprises an energy absorption quantity adjusting device for changing a... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7192067 | Impact damper assembly for an automobile Impact damper assembly for an automobile, in particular for supporting a bumper 5 on an automobile chassis, with an inner tube 2 movably arranged in an outer tube 3, wherein both tubes 2, 3 have an approximately mutually parallel taper | 03/20/2007 |
| 7174680 | Bearing brace apparatus The present invention is directed to a brace apparatus having a core member configured to absorb energy generated by seismic or other forces by undergoing plastic deformation. A buckling restraining assembly is included for maintaining the structural integrity of th... | 02/13/2007 |
| 7162399 | System for and method of selecting pneumatic device, and recording medium A pneumatic device selection system has a computer, first through sixth databases connected to the computer and storing data of at least pneumatic devices, a coordinate input unit and a keyboard connected to the computer, for entering input data based on an input ac... | 01/09/2007 |
| 7152842 | User coupled workspace shock isolation system A shock-isolation system having a platform for supporting an operator station and a console which can both be fixedly secured to the platform in a relative non-displacement mode with the platform supported by a shock mount that simultaneously isolates the platform i... | 12/26/2006 |
| 7147088 | Single-sided crash cushion system A single-sided crash attenuation cushion system having an impact head and three stage energy absorption mechanism. The energy absorbing mechanism has a mandrel for deforming thin-walled tubes in a controlled collapse to absorb impact forces from a colliding vehicle.... | 12/12/2006 |
| 7143877 | Fusible link comprising damper and backstop A link including a rod with a connection member at each end with an axis passing through both connection members. The rod includes a fusible zone as a narrow section lying between a first rod portion connected to a first connection member and a second rod portion co... | 12/05/2006 |
| 7137648 | Load limiting structure for vehicle occupant restraint system A load-limiting device has a mechanical structure designed to dissipate forces applied by a vehicle occupant to a safety belt during a crash. The load limiting device comprises a housing and a deformable member, at least one of which is configured for connection to ... | 11/21/2006 |
| 7124866 | Adaptive energy absorber An apparatus for absorbing energy includes first and second steering column members connected for sliding movement. A first anvil is associated with one of the first and second steering column members and an energy absorbing member is provided having a first portion... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7118131 | Adaptive energy absorber An apparatus and method is provided for absorbing energy. The energy absorbing device includes an anvil movable relative to a spaced axis. The anvil defines a plurality of profiles corresponding to different rates of energy absorption. The plurality of profiles are ... | 10/10/2006 |
| 7086508 | End splice assembly for box-beam guardrail and terminal systems An end splice assembly for a box-beam guardrail and terminal system having a first stage rail element and a second stage rail element. The assembly has two major connecting components. Upper and lower bent plate channels and upper and lower channel splice plates. Th... | 08/08/2006 |
| 7077433 | Three stage rotary strap extruder An apparatus and method is provided for absorbing energy in a collapsible steering column. The energy absorbing device includes an anvil rotatable relative to a strap. The anvil defines a plurality of profiles corresponding to different rates of energy absorption. T... | 07/18/2006 |
| 7066491 | Casing tube of a steering column of a motor vehicle and a method for producing the casing tube The invention relates to a casing tube of a steering column of a motor vehicle, the tube comprising two telescopic tube sections which are connected frictionally to each other in a press fit and, in the event of a crash, can be displaced relative to each other over ... | 06/27/2006 |
| 7025686 | Axially collapsible driveshaft assembly A driveshaft assembly that is axially collapsible in a reliably controlled manner includes a male splined slip yoke that cooperates with a female splined transition member for concurrent rotational movement and for relative axial movement. The transition member is, ... | 04/11/2006 |
| 6962245 | Variable force energy dissipater and decelerator Tunable pull-through energy attenuator and decelerator devices is disclosed which provide for variable force-time profiles, deceleration and kinetic energy attenuation of moving objects so as to prevent damage or injury to impacting objects, vehicles or persons. The... | 11/08/2005 |
| 6959798 | Device and method for avoiding bangingly shaking of components in the presence of vibration events Device and method for forming the device are provided. The device is exposed to vibration events from time-to-time and includes at least one component assembled therein. The device includes a spool including a bore defined by an inner section of the spool. The inner... | 11/01/2005 |
| 6945356 | Termination arrangement for a horizontal lifeline cable A termination arrangement for a horizontal lifeline cable (4) for use with a structure (6) includes an elongate stocking (14) of woven wire form surrounding an end section of the cable (4). The stocking (14) has a first end (22 | 09/20/2005 |
| 6840544 | Restraint system tensioning device with load limiting capability A belt-tensioning device for an occupant restraint is provided, designed to tension a belt (101) about an occupant at the onset of a vehicle collision, and to provide a measure of controlled force dissipation as the occupant loads the belt during the collisio... | 01/11/2005 |
| 6811185 | Steering column for a motor vehicle A steering column for a motor vehicle has a steering shaft rotatably mounted in a tubular jacket. The tubular jacket is secured on two rails extending substantially in an axial direction and fixed on the bodywork. The tubular jacket is guided between the rails in th... | 11/02/2004 |
| 6802536 | Adaptive energy absorbing device for a steering column An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column of a vehicle is able to compensate for the severity of a crash and the weight of the driver to better manage the absorption of energy in a crash event. A housing has at least one fixed abutment surface, an... | 10/12/2004 |
| 6769715 | Responsive energy absorbing device for a steering column An energy absorbing device includes a plastically deformable metal strap for resisting the collapse of a steering column. The strap is initially deformable into one or more V-shaped wave formations by anvils to increase the energy required to advance the strap, ther... | 08/03/2004 |
| 6764098 | Support mechanism of steering system A support mechanism of a steering system that supports a steering column to a part of a vehicle body includes an energy absorbing member mounted on the side of a steering column or the vehicle body, a support pin mounted on the side of the vehicle body or the steeri... | 07/20/2004 |
| 6712394 | Belt tensioner A tensioner for a safety belt includes a cylinder, a piston which is slidably arranged within the cylinder, and a traction transfer element which is connected with the piston to transfer a movement of the piston to the safety belt. The tensioner further includes a d... | 03/30/2004 |
| 6676161 | Linear pretensioning drive for a seat belt A linear pretensioning drive for tightening a vehicle seat belt has a guide tube. A piston is located inside of the guide tube and can be driven along a longitudinal axis of the guide tube. A reverse movement lock is formed by balls that are arranged on a... | 01/13/2004 |
| 6655716 | Kinetic energy absorber A kinetic energy absorption device suitable for use with a collapsible steering column includes a first and second plastically deformable member have a traveling bight, a pusher proximate to a first part of the first member attached to a first body, a cat... | 12/02/2003 |
| 6652002 | Crash responsive energy absorbing device for a steering column An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column has a plastically deformable strap extending along a track in a base. When the steering column collapses in a collision, the strap moves along the track and a portion of the strap is displaced b... | 11/25/2003 |
| 6641167 | Responsive E/A system for steering columns An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column of a vehicle includes an M-shaped plastically deformable strap for imposing a resistance to collapse of the steering column when the steering column collapses in a vehicle collision. An anvil ad... | 11/04/2003 |
| 6478333 | Collapsible steering column assembly A collapsible steering column assembly has an arrangement to absorb energy upon steering column collapse. In a preferred form, the arrangement includes a skid member acting to deform a length of wire having arms to embrace at least one retaining pin. The ... | 11/12/2002 |
| 6467836 | Impact suppression devices having energy absorption capability Impact suppression devices having energy absorbing capability. The devices utilize a spline configuration for two separate shafts that are movably joined such that one can move axially inside the other. The shafts themselves can act as a piston, or a pist... | 10/22/2002 |
| 6450532 | Energy absorber for motor vehicle steering column An energy absorber for a steering column includes a pair of plastic guides each of which is molded flat and closes at an integral living hinge around a corresponding one of a pair of serpentine flat metal straps so that the straps are captured in the guid... | 09/17/2002 |
| 6439357 | System for continuous energy absorption with relative displacement, by squeezing a metallic strip between two components of defined section A system for continuous energy absorption with relative displacement, by squeezing a metallic strip between two components of defined section comprising three separate components which are an upper component, a lower component and a strip. The upper compo... | 08/27/2002 |
| 6386347 | Impact absorber and method of manufacture Impact absorber (1) of the type comprising two aligned parts of tubular overall shape and different cross sections, a plunger tube (3) and an absorber tube (4) joined together by a joining zone (2) where, in any plane of section passing through the axis o... | 05/14/2002 |
| 6378939 | Variable energy attenuating apparatus An energy attenuating apparatus for use with a seat includes an elongated attenuator having a resistance to bending which varies along its length. A bending mechanism defining a nonlinear path receives the attenuator. Translation of the bending mechanism ... | 04/30/2002 |
