GB2256916A - Combined vehicle steering wheel grip and switch pad, eg for disabled driver. - Google Patents

Combined vehicle steering wheel grip and switch pad, eg for disabled driver. Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2256916A
GB2256916A GB9213185A GB9213185A GB2256916A GB 2256916 A GB2256916 A GB 2256916A GB 9213185 A GB9213185 A GB 9213185A GB 9213185 A GB9213185 A GB 9213185A GB 2256916 A GB2256916 A GB 2256916A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
grip
receiver
steering wheel
vehicle
control device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9213185A
Other versions
GB2256916B (en
GB9213185D0 (en
Inventor
Robert Kent Rowe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
RESELCO ENGINEERING Ltd
Original Assignee
RESELCO ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB919113395A external-priority patent/GB9113395D0/en
Application filed by RESELCO ENGINEERING Ltd filed Critical RESELCO ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority to GB9213185A priority Critical patent/GB2256916B/en
Publication of GB9213185D0 publication Critical patent/GB9213185D0/en
Publication of GB2256916A publication Critical patent/GB2256916A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2256916B publication Critical patent/GB2256916B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
    • B60R11/0264—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for control means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/0076—Switches therefor
    • B60Q1/0082—Switches therefor mounted on the steering wheel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/04—Hand wheels
    • B62D1/043—Hand wheels with a device allowing single-hand operation of the steering wheel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2900/00—Features of lamps not covered by other groups in B60Q
    • B60Q2900/30—Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
    • B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
    • B60R2011/001—Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
    • B60R2011/008—Adjustable or movable supports
    • B60R2011/0085—Adjustable or movable supports with adjustment by rotation in their operational position

Abstract

The switch pad 2 is mounted on top of the grip 3 which is rotatably fitted to the rim 4a of the steering wheel 4. The switch pad 2 carries touch-sensitive switches 5-12 for operating the indicators, lights. wash/wipe and horn via a wireless link, eg using an infra-red transmitter 13. The receiver may be mounted above the steering wheel. A disabled driver can thus steer by holding the grip 3 with the fingers while operating the switches with the thumb. <IMAGE>

Description

DEVICE FOR ASSISTING DISABLED DRIVERS This invention relates to a device for assisting disabled drivers. More particularly, it is concerned with a device intended to be fitted to the steering wheel of a car to assist the driver in operating the usual hand-operated controls of the vehicle, such as controls for headlights and windscreen wipers. The invention also relates to a system incorporating such a device together with a receiver adapted to respond to signals emitted by the said device, the receiver being connected to a relay box which actuates the appropriate functions in response to signals from the receiver.
A known device for assisting disabled drivers is based on a conventional steering ball grip which is rotatably mounted on a steering wheel. The device comprises a base plate, which is mounted for rotation about the same axis as the steering ball, with a control panel mounted thereon so that it is situated by the side of the steering ball. The control panel has switches which, when operated, cause a transmitter device to emit infra-red signals. The signals cause operation of the appropriate controls of the car, e.g. headlights, indicators. The base plate also has a weight mounted on the side opposite to the control panel in order to counterbalance the control panel and maintain the device in a horizontal position where it can be operated by the driver of the car.
A disadvantage of this known device is that the shape of the steering ball means that it must be gripped by all of the fingers of the user and thus no fingers are free to operate the switches on the control panel.
Therefore device is awkward to use. Additionally, despite the counter balance, the device may rotate around the steering ball with the result that the switches cannot be reached by the user and the transmitter is not correctly directed towards its receiver. Rotation of the device in this manner may also cause the base plate to strike the knees of the user when the steering wheel is rotated. The device must also be adapted depending on whether the user is right- or left-handed.
An object of the present invention is to provide a device for assisting disabled drivers which can easily be operated by the user.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combined steering grip and control device for a vehicle, comprising: i) an elongate grip portion; ii) a control panel forming part of, or an extension of, the grip portion and including one or more touch-sensitive switches for controlling predetermined functions of the vehicle; and iii) a wireless transmitter for emitting signals in response to switching of said switches.
Preferably, the control panel constitutes an extension of the upper end of the elongate grip portion, the arrangement being such that, in use, the grip portion can be gripped by the fingers of a user so that the thumb of the user is free to operate the control panel.
The grip portion may be in the form of a generally elongate annulus and the transmitter may emit infra-red signals.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for aiding disabled drivers of a vehicle, comprising the combined steering grip and control device as set forth above; a receiver device adapted to receive the signals emitted by the transmitter; and a relay device electrically connected to said receiver device and adapted to actuate the predetermined functions controlled by the touch-sensitive switches.
The receiver may be an infra-red receiver. In a preferred embodiment, the combined steering grip and control device is adapted to be mounted on the steering wheel of a vehicle so that it can be maintained in a predetermined orientation independent of the rotation of the steering wheel. Preferably, the receiver is adapted to be mounted substantially vertically above the steering wheel. The control panel may be adapted to control one or more of the left/right indicators, the headlights, the horn, the front and/or rear windscreen wipers and/or washers and the headlight flashers.
The receiver can conveniently be mounted at the level of the top of the vehicle's windscreen, for example onto the interior of the roof of the vehicle directly above the steering wheel. A hard-wired connection may be provided between such a receiver and the relay box. The latter may be located in any convenient part of the vehicle.
The invention will be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the top part of a device in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a device generally similar to that shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a system in accordance with this invention.
Referring to Figure 1, a combined steering grip and control device 1 for assisting disabled drivers comprises a switch pad 2 on the top surface of a grip portion 3.
As shown in Figure 3, the grip portion 3 is intended to be fitted onto the rim 4a of the steering wheel 4 of a vehicle and is rotatable about attachment point 18 (see Figure 2).
The switch pad 2 carries eight control elements in the form of touch-sensitive switches 5-12. As apparent from Figure 1, switches 5 and 6 actuate the left turn and right turn indicators, respectively; switches 7 and 8 control the front and rear windscreen wipers, respectively; switch 9 operates the vehicle's lights; switch 10 sounds the horn; switch 11 flashes the headlamps of the vehicle; and switch 12 operates the windscreen washers (front and rear).
Electronic circuitry (not shown) is provided within the body of the device 1 and responds to touch-sensitive switches 5-12 by actuating an infra-red transmitter 13.
The electronic circuitry is powered by means of batteries (not shown) mounted within the device 1. An indicator light 17 is provided to indicate when the charge in the batteries is low. The device 1 is provided with a suitable socket to enable the batteries to be recharged by, for example, connecting the device to the cigarette lighter outlet of the car.
As shown in Figure 3, the device 1 is rotatably mounted on the steering wheel 4 so that the transmitter 13 can be directed towards a receiver 14, mounted, for example, adjacent to the windscreen visor directly above the level of the steering wheel 4. Receiver 14 is hardwired as at line 15 to a relay box 16 housed within the engine compartment of the vehicle.
In operation, each of the touch-sensitive switches 5-12 serves to generate a unique infra-red signal which is transmitted from transmitter 13 to receiver 14, and thence to relay box 16, where the appropriate function (for example left turn indicator lights) is actuated.
By means of such a device, a disabled driver has full control of his vehicle's functions without needing to remove his hands or hand from the steering wheel. The design of the device 1 is such that the grip portion is gripped by fingers of the user, leaving the thumb free to operate the touch sensitive switches 5-12. This allows the various functions that the device controls to be carried out while the grip is used to turn the steering wheel. Moreover, the device is designed so that, in use, it is maintained in the same orientation, independent of the rotation of the steering wheel (see Figure 3). This means that the transmitter 13 can be directed towards receiver 14 at all times. The device may be provided with more than one transmitter 13 so that the signals are transmitted over a wide arc and are thus more likely to be received by the receiver 14.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS:
1. A combined steering grip and control device for a vehicle, comprising: i) an elongate grip portion; ii) a control panel forming part of, or an extension of, the grip portion and including one or more touch-sensitive switches for controlling predetermined functions of the vehicle; and iii) a wireless transmitter for emitting signals in response to switching of said switches.
2. A combined steering grip and control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control panel constitutes an extension of the upper end of the elongate grip portion, the arrangement being such that, in use, the grip portion can be gripped by the fingers of a user so that the thumb of the user is free to operate the control panel.
3. A combined steering grip and control device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said grip portion is in the form of a generally elongate annulus.
4. A combined steering grip and control device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or -3, wherein said transmitter emits infra-red signals.
5. A system for aiding disabled drivers of a vehicle, comprising a combined steering grip and control device as claimed in any preceding claim; a receiver device adapted to receive the signals emitted by the transmitter; and a relay device electrically connected to said receiver device and adapted to actuate the predetermined functions controlled by the touch-sensitive switches.
6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said receiver is an infra-red receiver.
7. A system as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein said combined steering grip and control device is adapted to be mounted on the steering wheel of a vehicle so that it can be maintained in a predetermined orientation independent of the rotation of the steering wheel.
8. A system as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein said receiver is adapted to be mounted substantially vertically above the steering wheel.
9. A system as claimed in claim 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein said control panel is adapted to control one or more of the left/right indicators, the headlights, the horn, the front and/or rear windscreen wipers and/or washers and the headlight flashers.
10. A combined steering grip and control panel substantially as hereinbefore described, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
11. A system for aiding disabled drivers of a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described, and as shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
GB9213185A 1991-06-21 1992-06-22 Device for assisting disabled drivers Expired - Fee Related GB2256916B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9213185A GB2256916B (en) 1991-06-21 1992-06-22 Device for assisting disabled drivers

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB919113395A GB9113395D0 (en) 1991-06-21 1991-06-21 Device for assisting disabled drivers
GB9213185A GB2256916B (en) 1991-06-21 1992-06-22 Device for assisting disabled drivers

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9213185D0 GB9213185D0 (en) 1992-08-05
GB2256916A true GB2256916A (en) 1992-12-23
GB2256916B GB2256916B (en) 1994-09-07

Family

ID=26299104

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9213185A Expired - Fee Related GB2256916B (en) 1991-06-21 1992-06-22 Device for assisting disabled drivers

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2256916B (en)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996025300A1 (en) * 1995-02-17 1996-08-22 Dario Spinnato A device with a rotating, anatomic handle for steering wheels of vehicles with electronic accelerator system
FR2751287A1 (en) * 1996-07-16 1998-01-23 Peugeot Add-on ancillary display unit for automobile dashboard
EP1063129A3 (en) * 1999-06-25 2001-02-21 Voit, Stefan, Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Remote control holder and remote control
WO2004069593A1 (en) * 2003-02-05 2004-08-19 Cordeiro Vilan Xesus Device for activating flashing indicators in motor vehicles
WO2004069591A1 (en) * 2003-02-05 2004-08-19 Cordeiro Vilan Xesus Device for activating long-range lights in motor vehicles
EP1619080A1 (en) * 2004-07-21 2006-01-25 Sunrex Technology Corp. Dial system for steering wheel of an automobile
GB2424854A (en) * 2005-04-07 2006-10-11 Bury Sp Zoo Remote control mounted on a steering wheel
CN100383011C (en) * 2006-05-10 2008-04-23 于洋 Electric car steering wheel for arm handicapped people
US7466036B2 (en) * 2003-08-01 2008-12-16 Timothy Gerard Ledford Grip actuated vehicle control system
DE102008045471A1 (en) * 2008-09-03 2010-03-04 Arnold, Roland Driving system for controlling motor vehicle for physically handicapped persons, has control element coupled with vehicle over wireless personal area network, and communication layer implemented in control element
WO2011037441A1 (en) * 2009-09-25 2011-03-31 Gomez Vega Rodolfo Mechatronic acceleration and braking system for the disabled
US20150253801A1 (en) * 2014-03-04 2015-09-10 Deere & Company Multi-function control grip for work vehicles
DE102008014540B4 (en) * 2008-03-15 2017-01-12 Roland Arnold GmbH & Co. KG Driving assistance system for persons with reduced mobility
CN106846774A (en) * 2017-02-28 2017-06-13 深圳博创理想科技有限公司 A kind of wireless controller
US20210331635A1 (en) * 2019-02-14 2021-10-28 Oshkosh Corporation Integrated operator centric controls

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105407179A (en) * 2015-12-30 2016-03-16 广东翼卡车联网服务有限公司 Interconnected remote control equipment mounted on car steering wheel and control method

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4405924A (en) * 1980-03-21 1983-09-20 Nippon Soken, Inc. Remote control switch apparatus for automobiles
US4684918A (en) * 1983-03-28 1987-08-04 Solomon Allen C Lane changing signalling device
US4757212A (en) * 1985-11-14 1988-07-12 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Power source device
GB2207401A (en) * 1987-07-24 1989-02-01 Lin Yng Lang Collision prevention arrangement

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4405924A (en) * 1980-03-21 1983-09-20 Nippon Soken, Inc. Remote control switch apparatus for automobiles
US4684918A (en) * 1983-03-28 1987-08-04 Solomon Allen C Lane changing signalling device
US4757212A (en) * 1985-11-14 1988-07-12 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Power source device
GB2207401A (en) * 1987-07-24 1989-02-01 Lin Yng Lang Collision prevention arrangement

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996025300A1 (en) * 1995-02-17 1996-08-22 Dario Spinnato A device with a rotating, anatomic handle for steering wheels of vehicles with electronic accelerator system
FR2751287A1 (en) * 1996-07-16 1998-01-23 Peugeot Add-on ancillary display unit for automobile dashboard
EP1063129A3 (en) * 1999-06-25 2001-02-21 Voit, Stefan, Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Remote control holder and remote control
WO2004069593A1 (en) * 2003-02-05 2004-08-19 Cordeiro Vilan Xesus Device for activating flashing indicators in motor vehicles
WO2004069591A1 (en) * 2003-02-05 2004-08-19 Cordeiro Vilan Xesus Device for activating long-range lights in motor vehicles
US8487472B2 (en) 2003-08-01 2013-07-16 Timothy Gerard Ledford Grip actuated vehicle control system
US8022568B2 (en) 2003-08-01 2011-09-20 Timothy Gerard Ledford Grip actuated vehicle control system
US7466036B2 (en) * 2003-08-01 2008-12-16 Timothy Gerard Ledford Grip actuated vehicle control system
EP1619080A1 (en) * 2004-07-21 2006-01-25 Sunrex Technology Corp. Dial system for steering wheel of an automobile
GB2424854A (en) * 2005-04-07 2006-10-11 Bury Sp Zoo Remote control mounted on a steering wheel
GB2424854B (en) * 2005-04-07 2009-01-07 Bury Sp Zoo Remote control means
CN100383011C (en) * 2006-05-10 2008-04-23 于洋 Electric car steering wheel for arm handicapped people
DE102008014540B9 (en) * 2008-03-15 2017-02-02 Roland Arnold GmbH & Co. KG Driving assistance system for persons with reduced mobility
DE102008014540B4 (en) * 2008-03-15 2017-01-12 Roland Arnold GmbH & Co. KG Driving assistance system for persons with reduced mobility
DE102008045471A1 (en) * 2008-09-03 2010-03-04 Arnold, Roland Driving system for controlling motor vehicle for physically handicapped persons, has control element coupled with vehicle over wireless personal area network, and communication layer implemented in control element
WO2011037441A1 (en) * 2009-09-25 2011-03-31 Gomez Vega Rodolfo Mechatronic acceleration and braking system for the disabled
US9342091B2 (en) * 2014-03-04 2016-05-17 Deere & Company Multi-function control grip for work vehicles
US20150253801A1 (en) * 2014-03-04 2015-09-10 Deere & Company Multi-function control grip for work vehicles
CN106846774A (en) * 2017-02-28 2017-06-13 深圳博创理想科技有限公司 A kind of wireless controller
US20210331635A1 (en) * 2019-02-14 2021-10-28 Oshkosh Corporation Integrated operator centric controls
US11897401B2 (en) 2019-02-14 2024-02-13 Oshkosh Corporation Integrated operator centric controls
US11919460B2 (en) * 2019-02-14 2024-03-05 Oshkosh Corporation Integrated operator centric controls

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2256916B (en) 1994-09-07
GB9213185D0 (en) 1992-08-05

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20060622