GB2518870A

GB2518870A - Steering wheel mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2518870A
Application number: GB1317537.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Patrick Manning
Original assignee: BROADLAND DESIGN AND ENGINEERING 2008 Ltd
Current assignee: BROADLAND DESIGN AND ENGINEERING 2008 Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-03
Filing date: 2013-10-03
Publication date: 2015-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 2033-10-03
Also published as: GB2518870B; GB201317537D0

Abstract

A device for removably and relatively nonrotatably mounting a hub 111 of a steering wheel 110 onto a stem 130 of a vehicle steering column 120 having a stem portion 130 has a peripheral engagement channel, preferably annular, toroidal or helical, formed by grooves 150, 152 in walls or abutment surfaces of hub 111 and stem 130, and a flexible engagement element 140, suitably a strip or wire of spring steel, removably insertable into engagement channel 150, 152 to axially secure hub 111 and stem 130. Removal of engagement element 140 allows hub 111 to be axially displaced from, and thus detached from, stem 130. Steering wheel 110 may be readily removed by emergency services in the event of a collision, allowing a trapped driver to be freed, and engagement element 140 may have a knob 190 allowing rapid manual removal.

Description

STEERING WHEEL MOUNTING

This invention relates to a steering wheel mounting. More particularly the invention relates to a device and a method for mounting a steering wheel on a steering column of a vehicle, eg. a motor vehicle such as a car.

In the event of a motor vehicle collision or accident it unfortunately sometimes happens that the driver becomes trapped between the vehicle seat in which they are seated and the steering wheel located in front of them, either or both of which can often become disfigured or displaced upon impact, thereby trapping the driver between them. Not only does this make it difficult or impossible for the driver to extricate themselves from the vehicle, but it also hampers rescue services' own efforts to get the driver to safety and speedily to medical attention.

A major cause of such a problem is that conventionally vehicle steering wheels are not readily removable from the steering column, at least not without specialised tools and time, both of which are generally not available in most emergency situations, particularly in the case of the majority of vehicle accidents on public roads.

A conventional type of mounting system for securing a steering wheel onto a steering column is shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. As shown there, a steering wheel 10, such as of a motor car, is mounted on the upper end of the shaft 20 of a steering column by means of a simple nut-and-bolt arrangement. The steering wheel hub 11 comprises a plastics outer casing 12 enclosing a socketed steel insert 14, the latter being interference-mounted onto a splined end portion 30 of the shaft 20 so that relative rotation of the steering wheel 10 and the steering column shaft 20 is prevented. The steering wheel assembly 10, 12, 14 is securely fixed in position on the shaft by means of a threaded nut 36 mounted on a correspondingly threaded bolt extension 32 of the splined shaft end portion 30. The nut-and-bolt fixing is shielded and protected against tampering, accidental loosening of the nut 36 and even theft of the steering wheel 10 itself by means of cover plate or cap 16.

By its very nature, this known steering wheel mounting system secures the steering wheel in position on the steering column in what is effectively a substantially permanent manner. Thus, in the case of an emergency it is impossible, or at least time-consuming and difficult without specialised tools, to open the cover plate 16 to expose the fixing nut 36 and then to unscrew the nut 36 to allow the steering wheel 10 to be removed from the splined end 30 of the steering column shaft 20 and lifted clear of the steering column. This process is often made all the more difficult or impossible when the driver is trapped between the vehicle seat and the steering wheel 10, since in that instance it may be impossible to access the fixing nut 36 at all.

There is thus a need in the art for a more convenient and safety-orientated system for mounting a steering wheel of a car or other vehicle on the steering column, so that its removal as and when required, especially in cases of emergency, is easier and quicker, especially in cases where the driver may be trapped against the steering wheel itself.

In the field of professional motor racing there are known systems for mounting steering wheels on steering columns in a quick-release removable manner, primarily for space reasons. However, these known mounting systems employ self-contained fixing and release mechanisms which necessitate mechanically complex constructions employing many highly engineered components, making them expensive and unnecessarily elaborate for most everyday vehicles.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to ameliorate the above shortcomings of known steering wheel mounting systems and to provide a system for mounting a steering wheel onto a steering column in a more readily removable manner and which is mechanically simple and cheap to manufacture and install.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention provides a device for mounting a steering wheel onto a steering column of a vehicle, the steering column having a stem portion onto which a hub portion of the steering wheel is attachable such that the steering wheel and the steering column stem portion are substantially non-rotatable relative to each other and the steering wheel is removable from the steering column stem portion, wherein the device comprises: first engagement means comprising at least one peripheral engagement channel formed by or between at least one pair of engagement grooves formed in respective abutment surfaces of each of the steering column stem portion and the steering wheel hub portion; and second engagement means comprising a flexible, preferably a resiliently flexible, engagement element removably insertable into the engagement channel of the first engagement means from outside the steering wheel hub portion; whereby insertion of the engagement element into the engagement channel substantially secures the steering wheel hub portion onto the steering column stem portion in an axially substantially fixed relative configuration, and whereby removal of the engagement element from the engagement channel enables the steering wheel hub portion to be axially displaced relative to, and thereby detached from, the steering column stem portion.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of mounting a steering wheel onto a steering column of a vehicle, the steering column having a stem portion onto which a hub portion of the steering wheel is attachable such that the steering wheel and the steering column stem portion are substantially non-rotatable relative to each other and the steering wheel is removable from the steering column stem portion, the method comprising: providing first engagement means comprising at least one peripheral engagement channel formed by or between at least one pair of engagement grooves formed in respective abutment surfaces of each of the steering column stem portion and the steering wheel hub portion; and providing second engagement means comprising a flexible, preferably a resiliently flexible, engagement element removably insertable into the engagement channel of the first engagement means from outside the steering wheel hub portion; bringing together the steering wheel hub portion and the steering column stem portion so as to bring the respective engagement grooves in the respective abutment surfaces of each of the steering column stem portion and the steering wheel hub portion into alignment to form the said engagement channel therebetween; and inserting the engagement element into the thus4ormed engagement channel to substantially secure the steering wheel hub portion onto the steering column stem portion in an axially substantially fixed relative configuration.

In embodiments of the above method aspect of the invention, removal or withdrawal of the engagement element from or out of the engagement channel preferably enables the steering wheel hub portion then to be axially displaced relative to, and thereby detached from, the steering column stem portion.

In preferred embodiments of the various aspects of the invention the engagement channel of the first engagement means is thus preferably formed as or when the respective engagement grooves formed in the abutment surfaces of the respective portions of the steering wheel and steering column are brought together and into alignment as the two portions are connected together. The insertion of the engagement element into the engagement channel may be carried out substantially simultaneously with or after the bringing together of the steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions.

In some embodiments the steering wheel hub portion is formed with its respective engagement groove in a radially internal abutment or mating surface or wall thereof, whilst the steering column stem portion is formed with its respective engagement groove in a radially external abutment or mating surface or wall thereof.

In other embodiments the positional provision of the respective engagement grooves on the respective parts may be reversed, so that the steering wheel hub portion is formed with its respective engagement groove in a radially external abutment or mating surface or wall thereof, whilst the steering column stem portion is formed with its respective engagement groove in a radially internal abutment or mating surface or wall thereof.

In preferred embodiments of the various aspects of the invention, the first and second engagement means may take the form, respectively, of an engagement (or snap-ring") groove and an engagement (or "snap-ring") element, which may be of any suitable construction and configuration.

Preferred such first and second engagement means comprise, respectively, a peripheral, especially an annular, circumferential or toroidal snap-ring channel formed by or between at least one pair of snap-ring grooves in the abutment or mating surfaces or walls of each of (or at least one of) the steering wheel hub portion and steering column stem portion, the preferred snap-ring channel thereby being effectively formed when the snap-ring grooves are brought together and into alignment as the two portions are connected together, and a flexible, and preferably also resilient, snap-ring element located within the snap-ring channel. Once located and seated in the snap-ring channel, the snap-ring element thus prevents the steering wheel hub and the steering column stem portions moving apart in an axial direction, by reason of it forming an interference fitting, thereby uniting them securely together and preventing the steering wheel being detached from the steering column.

Preferably the snap-ring element is insertable and removable from the snap-ring channel from outside the steering wheel hub, especially so that the first and second engagement means themselves are of reversible operation so as to allow the steering wheel to be removable from the steering column as and when desired.

For this purpose the snap-ring element, or other second engagement means, may be accessible by an openable and closable cover means or hatch formed in the steering wheel hub portion, which preferably covers and/or seals from view, tampering or unauthorised or accidental removal of, a terminal end portion of the second engagement means, eg. a terminal end of the preferred snap-ring element.

In particularly preferred embodiments of the various aspects of the invention, the first and second engagement means which permit the uniting of the steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions in a substantially fixed, yet detachable, relative axial configuration, comprise: one of the said steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions defining a receiving recess for accommodating therewithin an anchoring portion of the other of the said steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions, a first engagement groove being formed to a first depth in an internal mating or abutment surface or wall of the receiving recess, and a second engagement groove being formed to a second depth in an external mating or abutment surface or wall of the anchoring portion, the first and second engagement grooves forming an engagement channel between the anchoring portion and the receiving recess as the steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions are brought together, an access channel communicating between the engagement channel and the exterior of the steering wheel hub, and an engagement element formed from a length of resilient flexible material which is insertable and seatable within the engagement channel via the access channel and which is at least as wide as the combined first and second engagement groove depths so that when seated within the engagement channel the engagement element extends into both the first and second engagement grooves in the receiving recess and the anchoring portion, respectively.

Preferably the first and second depths of the respective first and second engagement grooves may be substantially equal, so that the two engagement grooves preferably substantially match each other in size and shape and are thus generally symmetrical. In order to facilitate insertion of the engagement element into the engagement channel via the access channel, the access channel and the engagement channel may merge smoothly and the access channel preferably extends tangentially from a bed of the engagement channel.

In order to enhance a stable fixing, the engagement element preferably fits snugly, even tightly (providing this does not hinder its insertion into or removal from the engagement channel), between, and thus preferably within, the first and second engagement grooves once they have together formed the engagement channel.

The engagement element is preferably formed of a length of flexible material, more preferably a resilient flexible material. Preferably it has a smooth outer surface. It may preferably have a substantially circular cross-section, such that it is able to assume the same longitudinal shape of the preferred circular-cross-sectioned engagement channel when the element is fed or pushed into it via the exterior-communicating access channel.

For example, the engagement element may be formed from a length of flexible and/or resilient metal, such as a strip or wire of metal, eg. spring steel.

The engagement element may be single-or multi-stranded. The engagement element may also, if desired or felt necessary, be covered or coated with a lubricating coating, such as Teflon®, to aid its movement into and through the access channel and the engagement channel itself. The length of the material forming the engagement element is preferably long enough so that it substantially fills, or is at least as long as, the engagement channel, and preferably also the access channel via which the engagement channel is accessed, ie. so that the element is long enough to extend at least once completely around the engagement channel.

Preferably the engagement element is insertable into and removable from the engagement channel via the access channel by simply pushing it in or pulling it out, preferably manually. To aid this, a terminal end portion of the engagement element may be provided with a loop, hook, knob, handle or other graspable head portion or element. This outer terminal end portion of the engagement element may additionally be formed so as to be neatly seatable against, or recessed into an external surface groove or recess in, the steering wheel hub, especially once the engagement element has been fully inserted into the engagement channel. If desired or necessary an appropriately shaped tool may be provided to assist in the insertion and/or removal of the engagement element into and/or out of the engagement channel.

If desired or necessary, the engagement channel may, prior to insertion of the engagement element, be lubricated with oil or any other suitable lubricant.

Furthermore, it is possible within the scope of the invention for a plurality of such first and second engagement means to be provided, located axially spaced apart along the steering column stem portion. In this case, each pair of first and second engagement means may be constituted by its own respective engagement channel (formed by a respective pair of first and second engagement grooves in, respectively, the inner and outer mating or abutment surfaces or walls of the respective steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions) and its own respective engagement element.

Going further, although one or more discrete annular, cylindrical or toroidal engagement channels are preferred, it is possible within the scope of the invention for there to be provided instead one or more helical engagement channels, for example definable by respective helical first and second engagement grooves formed respectively in an inner wall of the receiving recess and an outer wall of the anchoring portion of the steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions (or vice versa). The helical first and second engagement grooves may thus be alignable to form the desired helical engagement channel when the two portions are brought together. In this case the resulting helical engagement channel may preferably extend circumferentially at least once around the steering column stem/steering wheel hub combination.

In many preferred embodiments of the invention there is further provided fixing means for substantially preventing relative rotational movement between the steering wheel hub portion and the steering column stem portion when the two parts are in their united, mutually attached configuration.

Preferred practical forms of such fixing means comprise interengageable splines on the steering wheel hub portion, preferably in or on an interior surface thereof, and the steering column stem portion, preferably in or on an outer surface thereof. Other interference-type fixing means, such as one or more pairs of respective interengageable elements, eg. in the form of lugs or other protrusions and corresponding recesses, may alternatively be used.

By use of the mounting device and method of the invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle steering wheel mounting which is mechanically simple and cheap to manufacture, yet is simple, quick and easy to engage in order to securely mount the steering wheel onto a steering column of the vehicle, such as a motor car. Equally, and perhaps even more importantly, the mounting is simple, quick and easy to disengage in order to detach the steering wheel from the steering column, especially in the event of an emergency such as a road traffic accident or collision, particularly where the driver of the vehicle becomes trapped by the steering wheel itself and its removal is needed in order to free the driver.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention in its various aspects will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art system for mounting a steering wheel on a steering column, and has already been described; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a device for mounting a steering wheel on a steering column according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 is a partially cut-away face view, part cross-sectional on arrows AA-AA in Figure 2, of the embodiment of Figure 2.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, which show the embodiment of the steering wheel mounting device according to the invention, the steering wheel 110, such as of a motor car, is mounted on the upper end of shaft 120 of the vehicle's steering column. The steering wheel hub section 111 comprises a plastics outer casing 112 enclosing a socketed and splined steel insert or collar 114, the latter being interference-mounted onto the correspondingly splined end portion 130 of the steering column shaft 120 so that relative rotation of the steering wheel 110 and the steering column shaft 120 is substantially prevented.

The interior of the steering wheel hub section 111, in combination with the exterior of the steering column stem portion 130, embody the mounting device according to the embodiment of the invention: The inner surface or wall of the steering wheel hub portion 111, especially in this illustrated example that of the steel insert or collar 114, is formed with a circumferential semi-toroidal groove 150 therein, which is preferably semicircular in cross-section. Likewise the outer surface or wall of the steering column stem portion 130 is formed with a similar circumferential semi-toroidal groove 150 therein, which also is preferably semicircular in cross-section.

The grooves 150, 152 in the steering column stem portion 130 and the steering wheel hub portion 111 can be formed in the respective abutment or mating surfaces or walls thereof by any suitable technique, such as by moulding or machining during the respective parts' manufacture, or alternatively in a post-production step of cutting or machining.

As the steering wheel hub 111 and steering column stem 130 are brought together, the respective grooves 150, 152 come into alignment, and thereby form between them a complete toroidal, circular cross-sectioned, engagement channel therebetween. Either simultaneously with -or possibly shortly or immediately after -the placement of the steering wheel hub 111 onto and over the terminal end of the steering column stem 130, there can now be inserted into the thus-formed engagement channel 150, 152 the necessary engagement element 140 for locking the steering wheel 110 and steering column shaft 120 in substantially axially fixed relative relationship.

The engagement element 140 takes the form of a length of steel wire or a strip of spring steel (or other suitable metal), eg. with a diameter or thickness of approximately 3 mm, which is inserted into the engagement channel 150, 152 via a radial access channel 180 (Figure 3), open to the exterior of the steering wheel hub 111. The interior walls of the access channel 180, which may be formed eg. by drilling, provide a smooth surface transition into the engagement channel 150, 152 itself, in order to aid the passage of the engagement wire or strip 140 into and out of the channel 150, 152.

The outermost terminal end of the engagement wire or strip 140 is formed with an enlarged head 190 to help it to be readily grasped for the purpose of its insertion into and removal from the radial access channel 180.

For neatness and security the entrance to the radial access channel 180 is preferably shielded and/or closed-off and/or sealed by virtue of a cover plate or hatch (not shown in the drawings, for clarity) formed in the steering wheel hub portion 111. Such a cover plate or hatch may for example be closable by means of one or more clips, snap-fit elements or other suitable closure device.

In the event of an emergency, eg. an accident, collision or other event in which the diver may be trapped behind or against the steering wheel, in order to remove the steering wheel 110 from its axially fixed mounting on the steering wheel column stem 130, it is a straightforward matter to simply withdraw the engagement wire or strip 140 from the engagement channel 150, 152 via the radial access channel 180 by simple manually pulling it out. Once out, the steering wheel hub 111 may then simply be slid axially off and clear of the steering column stem 130, and the steering wheel 110 thus removed, all in a simple, quick and easy operation.

It is to be understood that the above description of preferred embodiments and aspects of the invention has been by way of non-limiting examples only, and various modifications may be made from what has been specifically described and illustrated whilst remaining within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device for mounting a steering wheel onto a steering column of a vehicle, the steering column having a stem portion onto which a hub portion of the steering wheel is attachable such that the steering wheel and the steering column stem portion are substantially non-rotatable relative to each other and the steering wheel is removable from the steering column stem portion, wherein the device comprises: first engagement means comprising at least one peripheral engagement channel formed by or between at least one pair of engagement grooves formed in respective abutment surfaces of each of the steering column stem portion and the steering wheel hub portion; and second engagement means comprising a flexible engagement element removably insertable into the engagement channel of the first engagement means from outside the steering wheel hub portion; whereby insertion of the engagement element into the engagement channel substantially secures the steering wheel hub portion onto the steering column stem portion in an axially substantially fixed relative configuration, and whereby removal of the engagement element from the engagement channel enables the steering wheel hub portion to be axially displaced relative to, and thereby detached from, the steering column stem portion.
2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the engagement channel of the first engagement means is formed as or when the respective engagement grooves formed in the abutment surfaces of the respective portions of the steering wheel and steering column are brought together and into alignment as the two portions are connected together.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the steering wheel hub portion is formed with its respective engagement groove in a radially internal abutment or mating surface or wall thereof, and the steering column stem portion is formed with its respective engagement groove in a radially external abutment or mating surface or wall thereof.
4. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the steering wheel hub portion is formed with its respective engagement groove in a radially external abutment or mating surface or wall thereof, and the steering column stem portion is formed with its respective engagement groove in a radially internal abutment or mating surface or wall thereof.
5. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein: the first engagement means comprises a peripheral annular, circumferential or toroidal engagement channel formed by or between at least one pair of engagement grooves in the abutment surfaces or walls of each of, or at least one of, the steering wheel hub portion and steering column stem portion, the engagement channel thereby being effectively formed when the engagement grooves are brought together and into alignment as the two portions are connected together; and the second engagement means comprises a resiliently flexible engagement element located within the said engagement channel.
6. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the engagement element is insertable and removable from the engagement channel from outside the steering wheel hub.
7. A device according to Claim 6, wherein the engagement element is accessible by an openable and closable cover means or hatch formed in the steering wheel hub portion.
8. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the first and second engagement means which permit the uniting of the steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions in a substantially fixed, yet detachable, relative axial configuration, comprise: one of the said steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions defining a receiving recess for accommodating therewithin an anchoring portion of the other of the said steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions, a first engagement groove being formed to a first depth in an internal mating or abutment surface or wall of the receiving recess, and a second engagement groove being formed to a second depth in an external mating or abutment surface or wall of the anchoring portion, the first and second engagement grooves forming an engagement channel between the anchoring portion and the receiving recess as the steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions are brought together, and an access channel communicating between the engagement channel and the exterior of the steering wheel hub, and an engagement element formed from a length of resilient flexible material which is insertable and seatable within the engagement channel via the access channel and which is at least as wide as the combined first and second engagement groove depths so that when seated within the engagement channel the engagement element extends into both the first and second engagement grooves in the receiving recess and the anchoring portion, respectively.
9. A device according to Claim 8, wherein the first and second depths of the respective first and second engagement grooves are substantially equal, so that the two engagement grooves substantially match each other in size and shape and are generally symmetrical.
10. A device according to Claim 9, wherein the access channel and the engagement channel merge smoothly and the access channel extends tangentially from the bed of the engagement channel, whereby insertion of the engagement element into the engagement channel via the access channel is facilitated.
11. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the engagement element fits tightly within the engagement channel.
12. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the engagement element is formed of a length of resilient flexible material with a smooth outer surface.
13. A device according to Claim 12, wherein the engagement element is formed from a strip or wire of spring steel.
14. A device according to Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the engagement element is coated with a lubricating coating.
15. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the length of the material forming the engagement element is long enough so that it substantially fills, or is at least as long as, the engagement channel.
16. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein a terminal end portion of the engagement element is provided with a loop, hook, knob, handle or other graspable head portion or element, whereby the engagement element is insertable into and removable from the engagement channel by simply pushing it in or pulling it out manually.
17. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein a plurality of said first and second engagement means are provided and located axially spaced apart along the steering column stem portion, and wherein each pair of first and second engagement means is constituted by its own respective engagement channel (formed by a respective pair of first and second engagement grooves in, respectively, the inner and outer abutment surfaces or walls of the respective steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions) and its own respective engagement element.
18. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, wherein the first engagement means comprises one or more helical engagement channels, the or each helical engagement channel being defined by respective helical first and second engagement grooves which are alignable to form the said respective helical engagement channel when the two portions are brought together.
19. A device according to Claim 18, wherein the or each said helical engagement channel extends circurnferentially at least once around the steering column stem/steering wheel hub combination.
20. A method of mounting a steering wheel onto a steering column of a vehicle, the steering column having a stem portion onto which a hub portion of the steering wheel is attachable such that the steering wheel and the steering column stem portion are substantially non-rotatable relative to each other and the steering wheel is removable from the steering column stem portion, the method comprising: providing first engagement means comprising at least one peripheral engagement channel formed by or between at least one pair of engagement grooves formed in respective abutment surfaces of each of the steering column stem portion and the steering wheel hub portion; and providing second engagement means comprising a flexible engagement element removably insertable into the engagement channel of the first engagement means from outside the steering wheel hub portion; bringing together the steering wheel hub portion and the steering column stem portion so as to bring the respective engagement grooves in the respective abutment surfaces of each of the steering column stem portion and the steering wheel hub portion into alignment to form the said engagement channel therebetween; and inserting the engagement element into the thus-formed engagement channel to substantially secure the steering wheel hub portion onto the steering column stem portion in an axially substantially fixed relative configuration.
21. A method according to Claim 20, wherein the step of inserting the engagement element into the engagement channel is carried out substantially simultaneously with or after the bringing together of the steering wheel hub and steering column stem portions.
22. A method according to Claim 20 or Claim 21, wherein removal or withdrawal of the engagement element from or out of the engagement channel enables the steering wheel hub portion then to be axially displaced relative to, and thereby detached from, the steering column stem portion.
23. A method of detaching from a steering column of a vehicle a steering wheel mounted thereon by means of a device according to any one of Claims ito 19 or by a method according to any one of Claims 20 to 22, comprising removing or withdrawing the said engagement element from or out of the said engagement channel, whereby the steering wheel hub portion is then axially displaceable relative to, and thereby detachable from, the said steering column stem portion.
24. A device for securing a steering wheel onto a steering column of a vehicle, or a method of mounting a steering wheel onto a steering column of a vehicle, or a method of detaching from a steering column of a vehicle a steering wheel mounted thereon, substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.