CA2055332C - Cover material for steering wheel of vehicle and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents
Cover material for steering wheel of vehicle and manufacturing method thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2055332C CA2055332C CA 2055332 CA2055332A CA2055332C CA 2055332 C CA2055332 C CA 2055332C CA 2055332 CA2055332 CA 2055332 CA 2055332 A CA2055332 A CA 2055332A CA 2055332 C CA2055332 C CA 2055332C
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- steering wheel
- pair
- seam
- side skirts
- strip body
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- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 153
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 9
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 102
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000009958 sewing Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010985 leather Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002649 leather substitute Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000933095 Neotragus moschatus Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 1
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Abstract
In a cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle and a method of manufacturing the cover material, an annular strip body of the cover material has a peripheral length in a plane extending perpendicularly to an axis of the steering wheel, which is substantially identical with that of an outer peripheral section of the steering wheel.
A pair of side skirts extend radially inwardly respectively from both side edges of the annular strip body. The annular strip body and the pair of side skirts cooperate with each other to define therein an annular space into which the steering wheel can be fitted. The annular strip body and the pair of side skirts have their respective lengths in a plane including the axis of the steering wheel, whose total is substantially identical with an outer peripheral length of the steering wheel in the plane including the axis of the steering wheel. Ruffling is applied to each of the pair of side skirts along a radially inward edge thereof, to form pleats along the radially inward edge of the skirt.
A pair of side skirts extend radially inwardly respectively from both side edges of the annular strip body. The annular strip body and the pair of side skirts cooperate with each other to define therein an annular space into which the steering wheel can be fitted. The annular strip body and the pair of side skirts have their respective lengths in a plane including the axis of the steering wheel, whose total is substantially identical with an outer peripheral length of the steering wheel in the plane including the axis of the steering wheel. Ruffling is applied to each of the pair of side skirts along a radially inward edge thereof, to form pleats along the radially inward edge of the skirt.
Description
COVER bIATERIAL FOR STEERING WHEEL OF VEHICLE
AND
MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF
BACKGROUND OF THE TNVENTION
The present invention relates to a cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle such as an automobile car, a motorboat or the like, and to a method of manufacturing the cover. material.
Referring first to Fig. 20 of the attached drawings, there is shown a conventional steering wheel 1 for a vehicle such as an automobile car, a motorboat or the like.
The steering wheel 1 has an axis 2 and has an outer peripheral section 3 and an inner peripheral section 4 in a plane extending perpendicularly to the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1. The steering wheel 1 has also a pair of side surfaces 5 and B by which the inner and outer peripheral sections 3 and 4 are connected to each other.
The steering wheel 1 has a plurality of spokes 8 generally extending radially from the inner peripheral section ~4 of the steering wheel l.toward the axis 2 thereof. It is to be noted that, although the steering wheel 1 illustrated in Fig. 20 has a circular cross-sectional configuration in the plane including the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1, the steering wheel may have a rectangular or polygonal cross-~5 sectional configuration. It is further to be noted that, although the steering wheel 1 illustrated in Fig. 20 is sub tantially circular in the plane extending perpendicularly to the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1, and _1_ ~~~~3a~
is continuous, the steering wheel may be annular or arcuate in the plane extending perpendicularly to the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1 and may be divided into two or more sections.
Conventionally, a cover material of the kind referred to above has been manufactured in the following manner.
That is, a material such as, natural leather, synthetic leather or cloth is first cut into a web-like or strip-like material having a length substantially identical with a ' peripheral length of an outer peripheral section of a steering wheel in a plane extending perpendicularly to an axis of the steering wheel, and a width capable of being wrapped about the steering wheel in a plane including the axis of the steering wheel, from the outer peripheral section to an inner peripheral section thereof, The strip-like material is wrapped about the steering wheel from the outer peripheral section toward the inner peripheral section thereof. Both lateral side edges of the strip-like material are abutted against each other on a center line of the inner peripheral section of the steering wheel, and are sewn to each other or are bonded to each other, Thus, the cover material is wrapped about the entire steering wheel.
When the above-described conventional cover material is wrapped about the steering wheel, both the side edges of 25- the strip-like material are wrapped toward the inner peripheral section of the steering wheel, while ruffling is applied to both the side edges of the strip-like material so as to conform with an inner peripheral dimension of the _2_ 2~5~3~~
steering wheel. Accordingly, much time is taken for the wrapping. Further, ruffling must be applied to the strip-like material uniformly over the entire lengths of the side edges of the strip-like material. This requires much skill. Thus, the conventional cover material has such a drawback or disadvantage that wrapping of the cover material about the steering, wheel costs much.
Furthermore, the above-described conventional cover material has the following disadvantage. That is, as shown in Fig. 21 of the attached drawings, at cutting of a strip-like material 701, lateral side edges 702 and 703 of the strip-like material 701 are cut substantially perpendicularly to both front and rear surfaces of a body 704 of the strip-like material 701. Accordingly, when the strip-like material 701 is wrapped about the steering wheel 1 from the outer peripheral section 3 thereof toward the inner peripheral section 4, a gap 706 in the form of a triangle is defined as shown in Fig. 22. For this reason, additional time is taken for filling up the gap 706 at wrapping of the strip-like material 701 about the steering wheel 1. Thus, wrapping of the strip-like material ?O1 about the steering wheel 1 costs much correspondingly.
It is an object of the invention to provide a cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle, which is capable of overcoming the aforesaid disadvantages.
It is another ob,~ect of the invention to provide a method of manufacturing a cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle, which is capable of overcoming the 2Q~~3~~
a:Poresaid disadvantages.
SUNI~'fARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle, the steering wheel having an axis and having an outer and an inner peripheral sections in a first plane extending perpendicularly to the axis of the steering wheel, the cover material comprising:
an annular strip body whose peripheral length in the first plane extending perpendicularly to the axis of the steering wheel is substantially identical with that of the outer peripheral section of the steering wheel; and a pair of side skirts extending radially inwardly respectively from both side edges of the annular strip body, wherein the annular strip body and the pair of side skirts cooperate with each other to define therein an annular space into which the steering wheel can be fitted, wherein the annular strip body and the pair of side skirts have their respective lengths in a second plane including the axis of the steering wheel, whose total is substantially identical with an outer peripheral length of the steering wheel in the second plane, and wherein ruffling is applied to each of the pair of side skirts along a radially inward edge thereof, to form pleats along the radially inward edge of the side skirt.
With the above arrangement of the invention, only 20~~~~2 pulling, toward each other, of both peripheral ends of the annular strip body to be abutted against each other and of respective side edges of the pair of respective side skirts to be abutted against each other enables the peripheral ends and the side edges to be sequentially abutted against each other without defining any gaps between the peripheral ends and between the side edges. Accordingly, it can be dispensed with to take additional time for filling up the gaps between the side edges and between the peripheral ends as is in the conventional cover material. Thus, it is possible to reduce cost required for winding the cover material about the steering wheel.
According to the invention, there is also provided a method of manufacturing a cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle, the steering wheel having an axis and having an outer peripheral section and an inner peripheral section in a plane extending perpendicularly to the axis of the steering wheel, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) cutting a material into a first material having a length substantially identical with a length of the outer peripheral section of the steering wheel and a width capable of being wrapped about the steering wheel in a plane including the axis of the steering wheel, from the outer peripheral section thereof;
(b) applying ruffling to the first material along both side edges thereof to form pleats therealong; and (c) forming the first material into an annular material, the annular material having an annular strip body ~0~~3~~
whose peripheral length in the plane extending perpendicularly to the axis of the steering wheel is substantially identical with that of the outer peripheral section of the steering wheel, and a pair of side skirts extending radially inwardly respectively from both side edges of the annular strip body, wherein the annular strip body and the pair of side skirts cooperate with each other to define therein an annular space into which the steering wheel can be fitted, and wherein the annular strip body and the pair of side skirts have their respective lengths in the plane including the axis of the steering wheel, whose total is substantially identical with an outer peripheral length of the steering wheel in the plane including the axis of the steering wheel.
With the arrangement of the invention, the following advantages can be produced. That is, when the cover material is wrapped about the steering wheel, it can be dispensed with to perform such troublesome operation that ruffling is applied to the pair of side skirts of the cover material, because ruffling has already been applied to the pair of side skirts of the cover material. Further, uniform ruffling can easily be applied to the cover material by a ruffling sewing machine along the entire lengths of the side edges of the cover material, without requiring skill. Thus, it is possible to reduce cost required for wrapping the cover material about the steering 2~~~332 wheel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cover material according to a first embodiment of the invention, the cover material being formed such that ruffling is applied to both side edge sections of an annular material to have a surface curved into a U-shaped configuration in cross-section;
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a strip-like material to be formed into the cover material illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 34 is a perspective view of an annular material which is formed such that the strip-like material illustrated in Fig. 2 is formed into an annular configuration;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a condition i which a steering wheel is fitted in the cover material illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a condition in which wrapping of the cover material illustrated in Fig. 1 about the steering wheel has been completed;
Fig. 6 is.a top plan view of a strip-like material to be formed into a cover material, according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 is a view for explanation of the fact that longitudinal ends and side edges of the strip-like material illustrated in Fig. 6 are tapered;
Fig. 8 is a view showing the longitudinal ends and the 20~~~~2 lateral side edges of the strip-like material illustrated in Fig. 6, which are so tapered as to define an obtuse angle;
Fig. 9 is a view showing the longitudinal ends and the lateral side edges of the strip-like material illustrated in Fig. 6, which are so tapered as to define an acute angle;
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a condition in which the strip-like material illustrated in Fig. 6 is wrapped about the steering wheel;
Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a strip-like material to be formed into a cover material, according to a modification of second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 through 10;
Fig. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing different seam sections of the seam applied to the cover material;
Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12, but showing a condition in which wrapping of the cover material illustrated in Fig. 12 about the steering wheel has been completed;
Fig. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing different seam sections of the seam applied to the cover material;
Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14, but showing a condition in which wrapping of the cover material illustrated in Fig. 14 about the steering wheel has been completed;
Fig. 16 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing different seam sections of the seam applied to the cover material;
Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16, but showing a condition in which wrapping of the cover material illustrated in Fig. I6 about the steering wheel has been completed;
Fig. 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing different seam sections of the seam applied to the cover material;
Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18, but showing a condition in which wrapping of the cover material illustrated in Fig. I8 about the steering wheel has been completed;
Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional steering wheel for a vehicle Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a condition in which a conventional strip-like material is to be wrapped about the steering wheel; and Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 21, but showing that gaps each in the form of a triangle are defined between both longitudinal ends and both lateral side edges of the strip-like material illustrated in Fig. 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that like or similar components and parts -g_ ~p5~332 are designated by the same or like reference numerals throughout the description, and the description of the like or, similar components and parts will be simplified or omitted to avoid repetition.
First Embodiment Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a cover material for the steering wheel 1. illustrated in Fig. 20 and described previously, according to a first embodiment of the invention. The cover material 10 comprises an annular 10 strip body 11 whose peripheral length in the plane extending perpendicularly to the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1 is substantially identical with that of the outer peripheral section 3 of the steering wheel 1, and a pair of side skirts 12 and 13 extending radially inwardly respectively from both lateral side edges of the annular strip body 11: The pair of side skirts 12 and 13 have their respective free side edges 14 and 15. The annular strip body 11 and the pair of side skirts 12 and 13 are integral with each other. The annular strip body 11 and the pair of side skirts 12 and 13 cooperate with each other to define therein an annular space 16 into which the steering wheel 1 can be fitted. The annular strip body 11 and the pair of side skirts 12 and 13 have their respective lengths in the plane including the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1, whose total is substantially identical with an outer peripheral length of the steering wheel 1 in the plane including the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1.
Ruffling is applied at 17 and 18 to the pair of side skirts ~Q~~3~2 12 and 13 respectively along their respective radially inward edges or side edges 14 and 15, to form pleats 21 and 22. The pleats 21 and 22 are substantially the same in pitch as each other.
A method of manufacturing the cover material 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.
First, as shown in Fig. 2, a material such as natural leather, synthetic leather or cloth is cut into a first material 30 having a length L~ substantially identical with the length of the outer peripheral section 3 of the steering wheel 1 and a width W~ capable of being wrapped about the steering wheel 1 from the outer peripheral section 3 thereof toward the inner peripheral section 4 through the side surfaces 5 and 6. Then, the first material 30 is so bent as to be formed into an annular material 40 as shown in Fig. 3, and both longitudinal ends 41 and 42 are bonded to each other, to form the annular material 40. Subsequently, ruffling is applied at 43 and 44 to the annular material 40 along both side edges 46 and 47 thereof by the ruffling sewing machine, to form pleats 21 and 22 along the entire lengths of the side edges 14 and 15 as shown in Fig. 1. Thus, the annular material 40 is so formed as to have a surface curved into a U-shaped configuration in cross-section, while the pleats 21 and 22 identical in pitch with each other are formed, by the ruffling at 17 and 18, in the pair of skirts 21 and 22 along the entire side edges 14 and 15, as shown in Fig. 1.
When the steering wheel 1 is fitted into the annular space 16 defined within the cover material 10 constructed as described above, that is, into the annular space 16 defined on the inside of the L-shaped curved surface, both the side edges 14 and 1~ of the cover material 10 extend so as to cover both sides of the inner peripheral section 4 of the steering wheel 1 as shown in Fig. 4. The side edges 14 and 15 are simultaneously drawn toward the inner peripheral section 4 of the steering wheel 1 manually or by means of an automatic wrapping apparatus. Alternatively, one of the side edges 14 and 15 is first drawn toward the inner peripheral section 4 of the steering wheel 1, and the other side edge is then drawn with a difference of time or time lag toward the inner peripheral section 4 of the steering wheel 1. The side edges 14 and 15 of the cover material 10 1~ are abutted against each other on the center line of the inner peripheral section 4 of the steering wheel 1. The cover material 10 is bonded to the steering wheel 1 by adhesives which are previously applied to the cover material 10 and the steering wheel 1. In this manner, as shown in Fig. 5, the cover material 10 is wrapped about the entire steering wheel 1. In this case, ruffling at 17 and 18 looks so as to serve also as a seam by which the side edges 14 and 15 of the cover material l0 are sewn to each other.
2~ The method of manufacturing the cover material 10 in the aforesaid first embodiment has been so described as to comprise the steps of continuously:
~~~~3~~
(a) cutting a material into a first material 30 having a length substantially identical with the length of the outer peripheral section 3 of the steering wheel 1 and a width capable of being wrapped about the steering wheel 1 from the outer peripheral section thereof 3 toward the inner peripheral section 4 through the side surfaces 5 and 6 of the steering wheel 1; .
(b) bending the first material 30 so as to be formed into an annular material 40; and (c) applying ruffling to the annular material 40 along both side edges 46 and 47 thereof by the ruffling sewing machine, to form pleats 21 and 22 along the entire lengths of the side edges.
However, the step (c) may be executed before the step (b). Specifically, ruffling is applied to a strip-like material along both side edges by a ruffling sewing machine such that pleats identical in pitch with each other are Formed, to thereby bend the strip-like material into an annular material. The annular material is so Formed as to have a cross-sectional configuration curved into a surface in the Form of a U-shaped configuration. Subsequently, longitudinal or peripheral ends are bonded to each other.
In the aforesaid first embodiment, when the side edges are pulled toward each other to the inner peripheral section 4 of the steering wheel 1 and are bonded to each other, a binding thread may extend between Front threads of the rufFling. Alternatively, a binding thread may extend between rear threads of the ruffling. Alternatively, a ~O~a33~
binding thread may alternatively extend between the front and read threads.
Second Embodiment Referring next to Fig. 6, there is shown a cover material for the steering wheel 1 illustrated in Fig. 20, according to a second embodiment of the invention.
A material is cut, by cutting dies, into a strip-like material 130 which has a length Lz shorter than the length of the outer peripheral section 3 of the steering wheel 1 in the plane extending perpendicularly to the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1, by elongation percentage of the strip-like material 130. The strip-like material 130 has a lateral length or width W2 in the plane including the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1, which is shorter than the outer peripheral length of the steering wheel 1 in the plane including the axis 2 0~ the steering wheel 1, by elongation percentage of the strip-like material 130. That is, the width WZ is shorter than a width wrapped about the steering wheel 1 from the outer peripheral section 3 toward the inner peripheral section 4 through the side surfaces 5 and g, The strip-like material 130 has a plurality of lugs T20vand 121 extending outwardly respectively from the side edges 114 and 115 thereof, for being wrapped respectively about the spokes 8 of the steering wheel 1.
As shown in Fig. 7, both longitudinal ends 141 and 142 of the strip-like material 130 and both the lateral side edges 114 and 115 of the strip-like material 130 are 2~~~~~~
tapered at 151 and 152 and 153 and 154 such that, when the strip-like material 130 is formed into a configuration as il7.ustrated in Fig. 1, substantially no gaps are defined bel;ween both the longitudinal ends 141 and 142 of the strip-like material 130 and between both the lateral side edges 114 and 115 thereof.
As shown in Fig. 8, each of the longitudinal ends 141 and 142 of the strip-like material 130 and each of the lateral side edges 114 and 115 thereof may be so tapered as to define an acute angle.
Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 9, each of the longitudinal ends 141 and 142 of the strip-like materfal 130 and each of the lateral side edges 114 and 115 thereof may be so tapered as to define an obtuse angle.
It will be' seen that at least one of the longitudinal ends 141 and 142 of the strip-like material 130 and at least one of the lateral side edges 114 and 115 thereof may be tapered such that, when the strip-like material 130 is formed into a configuration as illustrated in Fig. 1, substantially no gaps are defined between both the longitudinal ends 141 and 142 of the strip-like material 130 and between both the lateral side edges 114 and 115 thereof .
Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8, inking lines 154 and 155 are applied to and along the lateral side edges 114 and 115 as well as peripheral edges of the lugs 120 and 121 of the strip-like material 130 by means of the cutting dies, and are used as marks for covering the steering wheel 1 2~~~3~~
with the strip-like material 130 without slipping off or shifting.
With the above arrangement according to the second embodiment, the steering wheel 1 is covered with the strip-s like material 130 by adhesives. Subsequently, the longitudinal ends 141 and 142 are so pulled as to be abutted against each other.. Further, the side edges 114 and 115 are also pulled so as to be abutted against each other. Then, as shown in Fig. 10, the strip-like material 130 is bonded to the steering wheel 1 under such a condition that the strip-like material 130 is in intimate or close contact with the steering wheel 1 from the outer peripheral section 3 toward the inner peripheral section 4.
Simultaneously, the side edges 114 and 115 can be abutted against each other without any gap being defined thereat, and without any steps being formed.
Before or after the strip-like material 130 is formed into the annular material, ruffling similar to the above-described ruffling may be applied to the strip-like material 130 along the side edges 114 and 115 and along both side edges of the lugs 120 and 121, as shown in Fig.
11.
Other Modifications As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, ruffling 270 may comprise a first ordinary sewing seam having a plurality of seam sections 275 extending along a line spaced by a predetermined distance from a radially inward edge 272 of each of a pair of side skirts 273 of an annular material -ls-~~~~3~~
230, and a second s~:am having a'plurality of seam sections 274 extending from the first sewing seam to the radially inward edge 272 of the side skirt 273. The seam sections 274 of the second seam are inclined in the same direction with respect to the plane including the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1. Seams including the first and second seams are called "lock seam.".
Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, ruffling 370 may comprise a first ordinary sewing seam having a plurality of seam sections 375 extending along a line spaced by a predetermined distance from a radially inward edge 372 of each of a pair of side skirts 373 of an annular material 330, and a second zigzag seam having a plurality of seam sections 374 extending from the first ordinary sewing seam to the radially inward edge 372 of the side skirt 373. Seams including the first and second seams are called "staggered seam".
Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 16 and 17, ruffling 470 may comprise a seam having a plurality of seam sections extending from a line spaced by a predetermined distance from a radially inward edge 472 of each of a pair of side skirts 473 of an annular material 430 to the radially i~Lzward edge 472 of the side skirt 473. The seam sections 475 of the seam are inclined in their respective directions identical with each other with respect to the plane including the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1.
Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, ruffling 570 may comprise a seam having a plurality of seam sections 2~~a3~~
572 extending from a line spaced by a predetermined distance from a radially inward edge 572 of each of a pair of side skirts 573 of an annular material 530 to the peripheral edge 572 of the side skirt 573. The seam sections 575 of the seam in one of the pair of side skirts 573 are inclined in their respective directions opposite to those of the seam sections 575 of the seam in the other side skirt 573.
In the cover material wrapped about the steering wheel, it looks that seam sections of the seam due to ruffling serve also as seam by which the side edges of the cover material are sewn together. Particularly, in the cover material to which the ruffling is applied by the seam sections, the seam sections are cut obliquely into the thick walls of the side edges so that the surface of the strip-like material rises at each section between the seam sections. The seam sections are not in contact with operator's hands. Thus, the cover material becomes pleasant to the touch.
AND
MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF
BACKGROUND OF THE TNVENTION
The present invention relates to a cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle such as an automobile car, a motorboat or the like, and to a method of manufacturing the cover. material.
Referring first to Fig. 20 of the attached drawings, there is shown a conventional steering wheel 1 for a vehicle such as an automobile car, a motorboat or the like.
The steering wheel 1 has an axis 2 and has an outer peripheral section 3 and an inner peripheral section 4 in a plane extending perpendicularly to the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1. The steering wheel 1 has also a pair of side surfaces 5 and B by which the inner and outer peripheral sections 3 and 4 are connected to each other.
The steering wheel 1 has a plurality of spokes 8 generally extending radially from the inner peripheral section ~4 of the steering wheel l.toward the axis 2 thereof. It is to be noted that, although the steering wheel 1 illustrated in Fig. 20 has a circular cross-sectional configuration in the plane including the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1, the steering wheel may have a rectangular or polygonal cross-~5 sectional configuration. It is further to be noted that, although the steering wheel 1 illustrated in Fig. 20 is sub tantially circular in the plane extending perpendicularly to the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1, and _1_ ~~~~3a~
is continuous, the steering wheel may be annular or arcuate in the plane extending perpendicularly to the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1 and may be divided into two or more sections.
Conventionally, a cover material of the kind referred to above has been manufactured in the following manner.
That is, a material such as, natural leather, synthetic leather or cloth is first cut into a web-like or strip-like material having a length substantially identical with a ' peripheral length of an outer peripheral section of a steering wheel in a plane extending perpendicularly to an axis of the steering wheel, and a width capable of being wrapped about the steering wheel in a plane including the axis of the steering wheel, from the outer peripheral section to an inner peripheral section thereof, The strip-like material is wrapped about the steering wheel from the outer peripheral section toward the inner peripheral section thereof. Both lateral side edges of the strip-like material are abutted against each other on a center line of the inner peripheral section of the steering wheel, and are sewn to each other or are bonded to each other, Thus, the cover material is wrapped about the entire steering wheel.
When the above-described conventional cover material is wrapped about the steering wheel, both the side edges of 25- the strip-like material are wrapped toward the inner peripheral section of the steering wheel, while ruffling is applied to both the side edges of the strip-like material so as to conform with an inner peripheral dimension of the _2_ 2~5~3~~
steering wheel. Accordingly, much time is taken for the wrapping. Further, ruffling must be applied to the strip-like material uniformly over the entire lengths of the side edges of the strip-like material. This requires much skill. Thus, the conventional cover material has such a drawback or disadvantage that wrapping of the cover material about the steering, wheel costs much.
Furthermore, the above-described conventional cover material has the following disadvantage. That is, as shown in Fig. 21 of the attached drawings, at cutting of a strip-like material 701, lateral side edges 702 and 703 of the strip-like material 701 are cut substantially perpendicularly to both front and rear surfaces of a body 704 of the strip-like material 701. Accordingly, when the strip-like material 701 is wrapped about the steering wheel 1 from the outer peripheral section 3 thereof toward the inner peripheral section 4, a gap 706 in the form of a triangle is defined as shown in Fig. 22. For this reason, additional time is taken for filling up the gap 706 at wrapping of the strip-like material 701 about the steering wheel 1. Thus, wrapping of the strip-like material ?O1 about the steering wheel 1 costs much correspondingly.
It is an object of the invention to provide a cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle, which is capable of overcoming the aforesaid disadvantages.
It is another ob,~ect of the invention to provide a method of manufacturing a cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle, which is capable of overcoming the 2Q~~3~~
a:Poresaid disadvantages.
SUNI~'fARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle, the steering wheel having an axis and having an outer and an inner peripheral sections in a first plane extending perpendicularly to the axis of the steering wheel, the cover material comprising:
an annular strip body whose peripheral length in the first plane extending perpendicularly to the axis of the steering wheel is substantially identical with that of the outer peripheral section of the steering wheel; and a pair of side skirts extending radially inwardly respectively from both side edges of the annular strip body, wherein the annular strip body and the pair of side skirts cooperate with each other to define therein an annular space into which the steering wheel can be fitted, wherein the annular strip body and the pair of side skirts have their respective lengths in a second plane including the axis of the steering wheel, whose total is substantially identical with an outer peripheral length of the steering wheel in the second plane, and wherein ruffling is applied to each of the pair of side skirts along a radially inward edge thereof, to form pleats along the radially inward edge of the side skirt.
With the above arrangement of the invention, only 20~~~~2 pulling, toward each other, of both peripheral ends of the annular strip body to be abutted against each other and of respective side edges of the pair of respective side skirts to be abutted against each other enables the peripheral ends and the side edges to be sequentially abutted against each other without defining any gaps between the peripheral ends and between the side edges. Accordingly, it can be dispensed with to take additional time for filling up the gaps between the side edges and between the peripheral ends as is in the conventional cover material. Thus, it is possible to reduce cost required for winding the cover material about the steering wheel.
According to the invention, there is also provided a method of manufacturing a cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle, the steering wheel having an axis and having an outer peripheral section and an inner peripheral section in a plane extending perpendicularly to the axis of the steering wheel, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) cutting a material into a first material having a length substantially identical with a length of the outer peripheral section of the steering wheel and a width capable of being wrapped about the steering wheel in a plane including the axis of the steering wheel, from the outer peripheral section thereof;
(b) applying ruffling to the first material along both side edges thereof to form pleats therealong; and (c) forming the first material into an annular material, the annular material having an annular strip body ~0~~3~~
whose peripheral length in the plane extending perpendicularly to the axis of the steering wheel is substantially identical with that of the outer peripheral section of the steering wheel, and a pair of side skirts extending radially inwardly respectively from both side edges of the annular strip body, wherein the annular strip body and the pair of side skirts cooperate with each other to define therein an annular space into which the steering wheel can be fitted, and wherein the annular strip body and the pair of side skirts have their respective lengths in the plane including the axis of the steering wheel, whose total is substantially identical with an outer peripheral length of the steering wheel in the plane including the axis of the steering wheel.
With the arrangement of the invention, the following advantages can be produced. That is, when the cover material is wrapped about the steering wheel, it can be dispensed with to perform such troublesome operation that ruffling is applied to the pair of side skirts of the cover material, because ruffling has already been applied to the pair of side skirts of the cover material. Further, uniform ruffling can easily be applied to the cover material by a ruffling sewing machine along the entire lengths of the side edges of the cover material, without requiring skill. Thus, it is possible to reduce cost required for wrapping the cover material about the steering 2~~~332 wheel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cover material according to a first embodiment of the invention, the cover material being formed such that ruffling is applied to both side edge sections of an annular material to have a surface curved into a U-shaped configuration in cross-section;
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a strip-like material to be formed into the cover material illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 34 is a perspective view of an annular material which is formed such that the strip-like material illustrated in Fig. 2 is formed into an annular configuration;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a condition i which a steering wheel is fitted in the cover material illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a condition in which wrapping of the cover material illustrated in Fig. 1 about the steering wheel has been completed;
Fig. 6 is.a top plan view of a strip-like material to be formed into a cover material, according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 is a view for explanation of the fact that longitudinal ends and side edges of the strip-like material illustrated in Fig. 6 are tapered;
Fig. 8 is a view showing the longitudinal ends and the 20~~~~2 lateral side edges of the strip-like material illustrated in Fig. 6, which are so tapered as to define an obtuse angle;
Fig. 9 is a view showing the longitudinal ends and the lateral side edges of the strip-like material illustrated in Fig. 6, which are so tapered as to define an acute angle;
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a condition in which the strip-like material illustrated in Fig. 6 is wrapped about the steering wheel;
Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a strip-like material to be formed into a cover material, according to a modification of second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 through 10;
Fig. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing different seam sections of the seam applied to the cover material;
Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12, but showing a condition in which wrapping of the cover material illustrated in Fig. 12 about the steering wheel has been completed;
Fig. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing different seam sections of the seam applied to the cover material;
Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14, but showing a condition in which wrapping of the cover material illustrated in Fig. 14 about the steering wheel has been completed;
Fig. 16 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing different seam sections of the seam applied to the cover material;
Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16, but showing a condition in which wrapping of the cover material illustrated in Fig. I6 about the steering wheel has been completed;
Fig. 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing different seam sections of the seam applied to the cover material;
Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18, but showing a condition in which wrapping of the cover material illustrated in Fig. I8 about the steering wheel has been completed;
Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional steering wheel for a vehicle Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a condition in which a conventional strip-like material is to be wrapped about the steering wheel; and Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 21, but showing that gaps each in the form of a triangle are defined between both longitudinal ends and both lateral side edges of the strip-like material illustrated in Fig. 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that like or similar components and parts -g_ ~p5~332 are designated by the same or like reference numerals throughout the description, and the description of the like or, similar components and parts will be simplified or omitted to avoid repetition.
First Embodiment Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a cover material for the steering wheel 1. illustrated in Fig. 20 and described previously, according to a first embodiment of the invention. The cover material 10 comprises an annular 10 strip body 11 whose peripheral length in the plane extending perpendicularly to the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1 is substantially identical with that of the outer peripheral section 3 of the steering wheel 1, and a pair of side skirts 12 and 13 extending radially inwardly respectively from both lateral side edges of the annular strip body 11: The pair of side skirts 12 and 13 have their respective free side edges 14 and 15. The annular strip body 11 and the pair of side skirts 12 and 13 are integral with each other. The annular strip body 11 and the pair of side skirts 12 and 13 cooperate with each other to define therein an annular space 16 into which the steering wheel 1 can be fitted. The annular strip body 11 and the pair of side skirts 12 and 13 have their respective lengths in the plane including the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1, whose total is substantially identical with an outer peripheral length of the steering wheel 1 in the plane including the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1.
Ruffling is applied at 17 and 18 to the pair of side skirts ~Q~~3~2 12 and 13 respectively along their respective radially inward edges or side edges 14 and 15, to form pleats 21 and 22. The pleats 21 and 22 are substantially the same in pitch as each other.
A method of manufacturing the cover material 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.
First, as shown in Fig. 2, a material such as natural leather, synthetic leather or cloth is cut into a first material 30 having a length L~ substantially identical with the length of the outer peripheral section 3 of the steering wheel 1 and a width W~ capable of being wrapped about the steering wheel 1 from the outer peripheral section 3 thereof toward the inner peripheral section 4 through the side surfaces 5 and 6. Then, the first material 30 is so bent as to be formed into an annular material 40 as shown in Fig. 3, and both longitudinal ends 41 and 42 are bonded to each other, to form the annular material 40. Subsequently, ruffling is applied at 43 and 44 to the annular material 40 along both side edges 46 and 47 thereof by the ruffling sewing machine, to form pleats 21 and 22 along the entire lengths of the side edges 14 and 15 as shown in Fig. 1. Thus, the annular material 40 is so formed as to have a surface curved into a U-shaped configuration in cross-section, while the pleats 21 and 22 identical in pitch with each other are formed, by the ruffling at 17 and 18, in the pair of skirts 21 and 22 along the entire side edges 14 and 15, as shown in Fig. 1.
When the steering wheel 1 is fitted into the annular space 16 defined within the cover material 10 constructed as described above, that is, into the annular space 16 defined on the inside of the L-shaped curved surface, both the side edges 14 and 1~ of the cover material 10 extend so as to cover both sides of the inner peripheral section 4 of the steering wheel 1 as shown in Fig. 4. The side edges 14 and 15 are simultaneously drawn toward the inner peripheral section 4 of the steering wheel 1 manually or by means of an automatic wrapping apparatus. Alternatively, one of the side edges 14 and 15 is first drawn toward the inner peripheral section 4 of the steering wheel 1, and the other side edge is then drawn with a difference of time or time lag toward the inner peripheral section 4 of the steering wheel 1. The side edges 14 and 15 of the cover material 10 1~ are abutted against each other on the center line of the inner peripheral section 4 of the steering wheel 1. The cover material 10 is bonded to the steering wheel 1 by adhesives which are previously applied to the cover material 10 and the steering wheel 1. In this manner, as shown in Fig. 5, the cover material 10 is wrapped about the entire steering wheel 1. In this case, ruffling at 17 and 18 looks so as to serve also as a seam by which the side edges 14 and 15 of the cover material l0 are sewn to each other.
2~ The method of manufacturing the cover material 10 in the aforesaid first embodiment has been so described as to comprise the steps of continuously:
~~~~3~~
(a) cutting a material into a first material 30 having a length substantially identical with the length of the outer peripheral section 3 of the steering wheel 1 and a width capable of being wrapped about the steering wheel 1 from the outer peripheral section thereof 3 toward the inner peripheral section 4 through the side surfaces 5 and 6 of the steering wheel 1; .
(b) bending the first material 30 so as to be formed into an annular material 40; and (c) applying ruffling to the annular material 40 along both side edges 46 and 47 thereof by the ruffling sewing machine, to form pleats 21 and 22 along the entire lengths of the side edges.
However, the step (c) may be executed before the step (b). Specifically, ruffling is applied to a strip-like material along both side edges by a ruffling sewing machine such that pleats identical in pitch with each other are Formed, to thereby bend the strip-like material into an annular material. The annular material is so Formed as to have a cross-sectional configuration curved into a surface in the Form of a U-shaped configuration. Subsequently, longitudinal or peripheral ends are bonded to each other.
In the aforesaid first embodiment, when the side edges are pulled toward each other to the inner peripheral section 4 of the steering wheel 1 and are bonded to each other, a binding thread may extend between Front threads of the rufFling. Alternatively, a binding thread may extend between rear threads of the ruffling. Alternatively, a ~O~a33~
binding thread may alternatively extend between the front and read threads.
Second Embodiment Referring next to Fig. 6, there is shown a cover material for the steering wheel 1 illustrated in Fig. 20, according to a second embodiment of the invention.
A material is cut, by cutting dies, into a strip-like material 130 which has a length Lz shorter than the length of the outer peripheral section 3 of the steering wheel 1 in the plane extending perpendicularly to the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1, by elongation percentage of the strip-like material 130. The strip-like material 130 has a lateral length or width W2 in the plane including the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1, which is shorter than the outer peripheral length of the steering wheel 1 in the plane including the axis 2 0~ the steering wheel 1, by elongation percentage of the strip-like material 130. That is, the width WZ is shorter than a width wrapped about the steering wheel 1 from the outer peripheral section 3 toward the inner peripheral section 4 through the side surfaces 5 and g, The strip-like material 130 has a plurality of lugs T20vand 121 extending outwardly respectively from the side edges 114 and 115 thereof, for being wrapped respectively about the spokes 8 of the steering wheel 1.
As shown in Fig. 7, both longitudinal ends 141 and 142 of the strip-like material 130 and both the lateral side edges 114 and 115 of the strip-like material 130 are 2~~~~~~
tapered at 151 and 152 and 153 and 154 such that, when the strip-like material 130 is formed into a configuration as il7.ustrated in Fig. 1, substantially no gaps are defined bel;ween both the longitudinal ends 141 and 142 of the strip-like material 130 and between both the lateral side edges 114 and 115 thereof.
As shown in Fig. 8, each of the longitudinal ends 141 and 142 of the strip-like material 130 and each of the lateral side edges 114 and 115 thereof may be so tapered as to define an acute angle.
Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 9, each of the longitudinal ends 141 and 142 of the strip-like materfal 130 and each of the lateral side edges 114 and 115 thereof may be so tapered as to define an obtuse angle.
It will be' seen that at least one of the longitudinal ends 141 and 142 of the strip-like material 130 and at least one of the lateral side edges 114 and 115 thereof may be tapered such that, when the strip-like material 130 is formed into a configuration as illustrated in Fig. 1, substantially no gaps are defined between both the longitudinal ends 141 and 142 of the strip-like material 130 and between both the lateral side edges 114 and 115 thereof .
Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8, inking lines 154 and 155 are applied to and along the lateral side edges 114 and 115 as well as peripheral edges of the lugs 120 and 121 of the strip-like material 130 by means of the cutting dies, and are used as marks for covering the steering wheel 1 2~~~3~~
with the strip-like material 130 without slipping off or shifting.
With the above arrangement according to the second embodiment, the steering wheel 1 is covered with the strip-s like material 130 by adhesives. Subsequently, the longitudinal ends 141 and 142 are so pulled as to be abutted against each other.. Further, the side edges 114 and 115 are also pulled so as to be abutted against each other. Then, as shown in Fig. 10, the strip-like material 130 is bonded to the steering wheel 1 under such a condition that the strip-like material 130 is in intimate or close contact with the steering wheel 1 from the outer peripheral section 3 toward the inner peripheral section 4.
Simultaneously, the side edges 114 and 115 can be abutted against each other without any gap being defined thereat, and without any steps being formed.
Before or after the strip-like material 130 is formed into the annular material, ruffling similar to the above-described ruffling may be applied to the strip-like material 130 along the side edges 114 and 115 and along both side edges of the lugs 120 and 121, as shown in Fig.
11.
Other Modifications As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, ruffling 270 may comprise a first ordinary sewing seam having a plurality of seam sections 275 extending along a line spaced by a predetermined distance from a radially inward edge 272 of each of a pair of side skirts 273 of an annular material -ls-~~~~3~~
230, and a second s~:am having a'plurality of seam sections 274 extending from the first sewing seam to the radially inward edge 272 of the side skirt 273. The seam sections 274 of the second seam are inclined in the same direction with respect to the plane including the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1. Seams including the first and second seams are called "lock seam.".
Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, ruffling 370 may comprise a first ordinary sewing seam having a plurality of seam sections 375 extending along a line spaced by a predetermined distance from a radially inward edge 372 of each of a pair of side skirts 373 of an annular material 330, and a second zigzag seam having a plurality of seam sections 374 extending from the first ordinary sewing seam to the radially inward edge 372 of the side skirt 373. Seams including the first and second seams are called "staggered seam".
Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 16 and 17, ruffling 470 may comprise a seam having a plurality of seam sections extending from a line spaced by a predetermined distance from a radially inward edge 472 of each of a pair of side skirts 473 of an annular material 430 to the radially i~Lzward edge 472 of the side skirt 473. The seam sections 475 of the seam are inclined in their respective directions identical with each other with respect to the plane including the axis 2 of the steering wheel 1.
Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, ruffling 570 may comprise a seam having a plurality of seam sections 2~~a3~~
572 extending from a line spaced by a predetermined distance from a radially inward edge 572 of each of a pair of side skirts 573 of an annular material 530 to the peripheral edge 572 of the side skirt 573. The seam sections 575 of the seam in one of the pair of side skirts 573 are inclined in their respective directions opposite to those of the seam sections 575 of the seam in the other side skirt 573.
In the cover material wrapped about the steering wheel, it looks that seam sections of the seam due to ruffling serve also as seam by which the side edges of the cover material are sewn together. Particularly, in the cover material to which the ruffling is applied by the seam sections, the seam sections are cut obliquely into the thick walls of the side edges so that the surface of the strip-like material rises at each section between the seam sections. The seam sections are not in contact with operator's hands. Thus, the cover material becomes pleasant to the touch.
Claims (29)
1. A cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle, said steering wheel having an axis and having an outer and an inner peripheral sections in a first plane extending perpendicularly to said axis of said steering wheel, said cover material comprising:
an annular strip body whose peripheral length in the first plane extending perpendicularly to said axis of said steering wheel is substantially identical with that of the outer peripheral section of said steering wheel; and a pair of side skirts extending radially inwardly respectively from both side edges of said annular strip body, wherein said annular strip body and said pair of side skirts cooperate with each other to define therein an annular space into which said steering wheel can be fitted, wherein said annular strip body and said pair of side skirts have their respective lengths in a second plane including said axis of said steering wheel, whose total is substantially identical with an outer peripheral length of said steering wheel in said second plane, and wherein ruffling is applied to each of said pair of side skirts along a radially inward edge thereof, to form pleats along the radially inward edge of the side skirt.
an annular strip body whose peripheral length in the first plane extending perpendicularly to said axis of said steering wheel is substantially identical with that of the outer peripheral section of said steering wheel; and a pair of side skirts extending radially inwardly respectively from both side edges of said annular strip body, wherein said annular strip body and said pair of side skirts cooperate with each other to define therein an annular space into which said steering wheel can be fitted, wherein said annular strip body and said pair of side skirts have their respective lengths in a second plane including said axis of said steering wheel, whose total is substantially identical with an outer peripheral length of said steering wheel in said second plane, and wherein ruffling is applied to each of said pair of side skirts along a radially inward edge thereof, to form pleats along the radially inward edge of the side skirt.
2. A cover material according to claim 1, wherein said pleats are substantially the same in pitch as each other.
3. A cover material according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral length of said annular strip body is shorter than the length of the outer peripheral section of said steering wheel in said first plane extending perpendicularly to said axis of said steering wheel, by elongation percentage of said annular strip body.
4. A cover material according to claim 1, wherein the total of the lengths of the respective annular strip body and side skirts in the second plane including said axis of said steering wheel is shorter than the outer peripheral length of said steering wheel in the second plane including the axis of said steering wheel, by elongation percentage of said annular strip body and side skirts.
5. A cover material according to claim 1, wherein at least one of both peripheral ends of said annular strip body, at least one of both peripheral ends of each of said pair of side skirts and the radially inward edge of at least one of said pair of side skirts are tapered such that substantially no gaps are defined between both the peripheral ends of said annular strip body, between both the peripheral ends of each of said pair of side skirts, and between the radially inward edges of the respective side skirts.
6. A cover material according to claim 5, wherein said at least one of both the peripheral ends of said annular strip body, said at least one of both peripheral ends of each of said pair of side skirts and the radially inward edge of at least one of said pair of side skirts are so tapered as to define an acute angle.
7. A cover material according to claim 5, wherein said at least one of both the peripheral ends of said annular strip body, said at least one of both peripheral ends of each of said pair of side skirts and the radially inward edge of at least one of said pair of side skirts are so tapered as to define an obtuse angle.
8. A cover material according to claim 1, said steering wheel having a plurality of spokes generally extending radially from the inner peripheral section of said steering wheel toward said axis thereof, wherein each of said pair of side skirts has a plurality of lugs extending radially inwardly from the radially inward edge of the side skirt, for being wrapped respectively about said spokes of said steering wheel.
9. A cover material according to claim 1, wherein both peripheral ends of said annular strip body, both peripheral ends of each of said pair of side skirts and the radially inward edge of each of said pair of side skirts are tapered such that substantially no gaps are defined between both the peripheral ends of said annular strip body, between both peripheral ends of each of said pair of side skirts and between the radially inward edges of the respective side skirts.
10. A cover material according to claim 1, wherein said ruffling comprises a first ordinary sewing seam having a plurality of seam sections extending along a line spaced by a predetermined distance from the radially inward edge of each of said pair of side skirts, and a second seam having a plurality of seam sections extending from said first sewing seam to the radially inward edge of the side skirt, the seam sections of said second seam being inclined with respect to the plane including the axis of said steering wheel.
11. A cover material according to claim 1, wherein said ruffling comprises a first ordinary sewing seam having a plurality of seam sections extending along a line spaced by a predetermined distance from the radially inward edge of each of said pair of side skirts, and a second zigzag seam having a plurality of seam sections extending from said first ordinary sewing seam to the radially inward edge of the side skirt.
12. A cover material according to claim 1, wherein said ruffling comprises a seam having a plurality of seam sections extending from a line spaced by a predetermined distance from the radially inward edge of each of said pair of side skirts to the radially inward edge of the side skirt, said seam sections of said seam being inclined in their respective directions identical with each other with respect to the second plane including the axis of said steering wheel.
13. A cover material according to claim 1, wherein said ruffling comprises a seam having a plurality of seam sections extending from a line spaced by a predetermined distance from the radially inward edge of each of said pair of side skirts to the peripheral edge of the side skirt, the seam sections of said seam in one of said pair of side skirts being inclined in their respective directions opposite to those of the seam sections of said seam in the other side skirt.
14. A cover material according to claim 1, wherein said annular strip body and said pair of side skirts are integral with each other, and are made of one of natural leather, synthetic leather and cloth.
15. A method of manufacturing a cover material for a steering wheel of a vehicle, said steering wheel having an axis and having an outer peripheral section and an inner peripheral section in a plane extending perpendicularly to the axis of said steering wheel, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) cutting a material into a first material having a length substantially identical with a length of said outer peripheral section of said steering wheel and a width capable of being wrapped about said steering wheel in a plane including said axis of said steering wheel, from the outer peripheral section thereof;
(b) applying ruffling to said first material along both side edges thereof to form pleats therealong; and (c) forming said first material into an annular material, said annular material having an annular strip body whose peripheral length in the plane extending perpendicularly to said axis of said steering wheel is substantially identical with that of the outer peripheral section of said steering wheel, and a pair of side skirts extending radially inwardly respectively from both side eases of said annular strip body, wherein said annular strip body and said pair of side skirts cooperate with each other to define therein an annular space into which said steering wheel can be fitted, and wherein said annular strip body and said pair of side skirts have their respective lengths in the plane including said axis of said steering wheel, whose total is substantially identical with an outer peripheral length of said steering wheel in said plane including the axis of said steering wheel.
(a) cutting a material into a first material having a length substantially identical with a length of said outer peripheral section of said steering wheel and a width capable of being wrapped about said steering wheel in a plane including said axis of said steering wheel, from the outer peripheral section thereof;
(b) applying ruffling to said first material along both side edges thereof to form pleats therealong; and (c) forming said first material into an annular material, said annular material having an annular strip body whose peripheral length in the plane extending perpendicularly to said axis of said steering wheel is substantially identical with that of the outer peripheral section of said steering wheel, and a pair of side skirts extending radially inwardly respectively from both side eases of said annular strip body, wherein said annular strip body and said pair of side skirts cooperate with each other to define therein an annular space into which said steering wheel can be fitted, and wherein said annular strip body and said pair of side skirts have their respective lengths in the plane including said axis of said steering wheel, whose total is substantially identical with an outer peripheral length of said steering wheel in said plane including the axis of said steering wheel.
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said pleats are substantially the same in pitch as each other.
17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the peripheral length of said annular strip body is shorter than the length of the outer peripheral section of said steering wheel in said plane extending perpendicularly to said axis of said steering wheel, by elongation percentage of said annular strip body.
18. A method according to claim 15, wherein the total of the lengths of the respective annular strip body and side skirts in the plane including said axis of said steering wheel is shorter than the outer peripheral length of said steering wheel in the plane including the axis of said steering wheel, by elongation percentage of said annular strip body and side skirts.
19. A method according to claim 15, comprising the step of tapering at least one of both peripheral ends of said annular strip body, at least one of both peripheral ends of each of said pair of side skirts and the radially inward edge of at least one of said side skirts are tapered such that substantially no gaps are defined between both the peripheral ends of said annular strip body, between both the peripheral ends of each of said pair of side skirts, and between the radially inward edges of the respective side skirts.
20. A method according to claim 19, comprising the step of tapering said at least one of both the peripheral ends of said annular strip body, said at least one of both peripheral ends of each of said pair of side skirts and the radially inward edge of at least one of said pair of side skirts so as to define an acute angle.
21. A method according to claim 19, comprising the step of tapering said at least one of both the peripheral ends of said annular strip body, said at least one of both peripheral ends of each of said pair of side skirts and the radially inward edge of at least one of said pair of side skirts so as to define an obtuse angle.
22. A method according to claim 15, said steering wheel having a plurality of spokes generally extending radially from the inner peripheral section of said steering wheel toward said axis thereof, wherein each of said pair of skirts has a plurality of lugs extending radially inwardly from the radially inward edge thereof, for being wrapped respectively about said spokes of said steering wheel.
23. A method according to claim 15, comprising the step of tapering both peripheral ends of said annular strip body, both peripheral ends of each of said pair of side skirts and the radially inward edges of said pair of respective side skirts such that substantially no gap is defined between both the peripheral ends of said annular strip body, between peripheral ends of each of said pair of side skirts and between the radially inward edges of the pair of respective side skirts.
24. A method according to claim 15, wherein said ruffling comprises a first ordinary sewing seam having a plurality of seam sections extending along a line spaced by a predetermined distance from the radially inward edge of each of said pair of side skirts, and a second seam having a plurality of seam sections extending from said first sewing seam to the radially inward edge of the side skirt, the seam sections of said second seam being inclined with respect to the plane including the axis of said steering wheel.
25. A method according to claim 15, wherein said ruffling comprises a first ordinary sewing seam having a plurality of seam sections extending along a line spaced by a predetermined distance from the radially inward edge of each of said pair of side skirts, and a second zigzag seam having a plurality of seam sections extending from said first ordinary sewing seam to the radially inward edge of the side skirt.
26. A method according to claim 15, wherein said ruffling comprises a seam having a plurality of seam sections extending from a line spaced by a predetermined distance from the radially inward edge of each of said pair of side skirts to the radially inward edge of the side skirt, said seam sections of said seam being inclined in their respective directions identical with each other with respect to the plane including the axis of said steering wheel.
27. A method according to claim 15, wherein said ruffling comprises a seam having a plurality of seam sections extending from a line spaced by a predetermined distance from the radially inward edge of each of said pair of side skirts to the peripheral edge of the side skirt, the seam sections of said seam in one of said pair of side skirts being inclined in their respective directions opposite to those of the seam sections of said seam in the other side skirt.
28. A method according to claim 15, wherein said annular strip body and said pair of side skirts are integral with each other, and are made of one of natural leather, synthetic leather and cloth.
29. A method according to claim 15, wherein said step (c) is executed before said step (b).
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP11937390 | 1990-11-16 | ||
| JPU2-119372 | 1990-11-16 | ||
| JPU2-119373 | 1990-11-16 | ||
| JP1990119372U JPH0475774U (en) | 1990-11-16 | 1990-11-16 | |
| JPU3-40103 | 1991-05-02 | ||
| JP1991040103U JP2561329Y2 (en) | 1990-09-07 | 1991-05-02 | Cover material for automobile steering wheel |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2055332A1 CA2055332A1 (en) | 1992-05-17 |
| CA2055332C true CA2055332C (en) | 2001-10-30 |
Family
ID=27290371
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2055332 Expired - Fee Related CA2055332C (en) | 1990-11-16 | 1991-11-12 | Cover material for steering wheel of vehicle and manufacturing method thereof |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2055332C (en) |
-
1991
- 1991-11-12 CA CA 2055332 patent/CA2055332C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2055332A1 (en) | 1992-05-17 |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
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