Patent ID: 6227571
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: B60R,B62D

Abstract:
An apparatus for a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:a first steering column member rotatable about a first axis;a steering wheel mounted on said first steering column member to rotate said first steering column member about said first axis upon turning of said steering wheel;a second steering column member connected with said first steering column member so that rotation of said first steering column member about said first axis causes rotation of said second steering column member, said first and second steering column members having a telescoping relationship and having axially overlapped portions;an air bag module mounted on said steering wheel and including an inflatable air bag which is inflatable into a position to help protect a vehicle driver in the event of an occurrence of a vehicle condition for which inflation of the air bag is desired; andan actuatable device which, when actuated, emits gas which causes said first and second steering column members to telescope together and at least a portion of said air bag module to move away from the vehicle driver as said air bag is inflated into said position.