Ellen Marie Ballman

US Patent:

6386579, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Jul 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/621318

Inventors:

Thomas V. Reidy - Tampa FL
Ellen M. Ballman - Seffner FL
J. Curtis Hofer - Novi MI
Roy Deutschmann - Ypsilanti MI

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

B60R 2120

US Classification:

280731, 74552

Abstract:

A steering wheel is produced from injection molding of a foamed thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic foam material can produce desirable characteristics for both the rim and the airbag cover. The rim of the steering wheel has good wear characteristics and a targeted compressibility or âfeelâ while the airbag cover has the sought-after strength across a large temperature range and exhibits very little compliance. The thermoplastic foam material is also beneficial because it has a non-olefinic foam carrier, such as polyvinyl acetate, which does not degrade the adhesive used to attach a cushion and/or a outside wrap to the steering wheel rim.