Importance

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Abstract

Combined air bag device and steering column, for use on a vehicle having collision-sensing means and a steering wheel to communicate steering directions to steering mechanism, comprises in one embodiment a hollow tubular steering column connected at its upper end to the steering wheel and at its lower end to the steering mechanism. An elongated tubular reservoir containing pressurized fluid prior to collision is mounted within the hollow tubular steering column, and has an outlet at the upper end thereon. An inflatable cushion is mounted on the steering wheel and closure means is interposed between the outlet of the reservoir and the inlet of the cushion. Opening means, responsive to a signal generated by the collision-sensing means, rapidly opens the closure means thereby to inflate the cushion. In another embodiment, the tubular reservoir is connected at its upper end to the steering wheel and at its lower end to the steering mechanism to function as a steering column communicating rotation of the steering wheel to the steering mechanism.

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First Claim