US1869334A - Method of making steering wheels - Google Patents

Description

y 1932 B. BRONSON ET AL 1,369,334

METHOD OF MAKING STEERING WHEELS Filed March 18, 1930 a Sheets-Sheet 1 gy W. WM M' MMv/ZJ g y 1932- B. BRONSON ET AL 1,869,334

METHOD OF MAKING STEERING WHEELS Filed March 18, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 EMMAW W 71M MM+W L I y 1932- BQBRONSON ET AL METHOD OF MAKING STEERING WHEELS Filed March 18, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' OHIO RUBBER COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO IMIEELHOI) OF MAKING STEERING WHEELS Application filed March 18, 1930. Serial No. 436,717.

I This invention relates to steering wheels and more particularly to the type comprising a metal insert having a hub, spokes and IlIIl, in which the greater part of the metal insert is coveredfwith plastic composition, preferably rubber. I

It is anobject of the present invention to providea method of constructing the sheet metal insert from a tubular blank so that the hub, spokes and rim are respectively integral with each other. 7

'It' is another object of the invention to provide an insert of this character which may be constructed from a tubular sheet metal blank. without leaving substantially any scrap, metal.

Further objects are to provide an insert and methods of constructing the same whereby the insert will be simple and economical in construction, having adequate strength and otherwise well adapted for the purposes setforth. v o

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent as the following description pro-,

ceeds, as taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the completed insert for the steering wheel according to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagrammaticview illustrating the steps in the method of forming a sheet metal blank into a cup-like or tubular'form.

Fig. 4 is a section throughthe blank, after the same has been upset and cut so that it maybe expanded to form the insert. v

Fig. 5 is a partial view similar to Fig. 4, but showing a modified construction for the lower portion thereof. I

Fig.6 is a development of thesurface of the tubular member shown in Fig. 4. V

Fig. 7 is a perspective viewof the blank shown in Fig.4, after the spoke and rim portions have been spread or expanded.

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the structure shown in Fig. 7 showing still further expansion of the parts.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the completed insert formed from the tubular blank. Fig. 10 is a detail perspe'ctiveview showing the folding of the metal at the mid-point of the rim, and

Fig. 11 is a similar view showing the folding of the metal at the junction of the rim and spokes."

Referring more particularlyto the drawings, the insert comprises a hub'lO, a rim 11 and spokes 12, 13, 14 and 15, fourbeing shown,

.BUDD BRONSON AND EDWARD R. MARBACH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, .ASSIGNORS TO THE A but a greater or lesser number' may befprovided if desired. Between the hub and spokes a cup-like portion is provided, comprising a disc-like bottom portion 16 anda cylindrical side wall 17,. An annularifiange 18 projects radially from ltheupper edge of the portion 17,-fo'rminga strengthening web 1 2 extending between the spokes. The spokes are further strengthened by forming a groove 19 extending longitudinally thereof, and it is obvious that anyother corrugation may be employed and that the rim 11 may be similarly, treated to strengthen the same.

While the rim'll is a single continuous integral member, it comprises a plurality of rim portions 20, projecting inone direction from the end of each of the'spokes, and a series of rim portions 21, projectingin the opposite direction from the ends of eachof the spokes. The metal of the rim is doubly folded about a portion 22, at the mid-point of the rim section between adjacent spokes, and at the junction of the portions20 and 21. The metal of the insert is also doubly folded as at 23, at the junction of each rim portion 20 and its associated spoke A similar portion double fold occursv between the. rim

21 and the associated spoke.

The remaining features :of the insert will be best understood from the following description of'the method'of constructing the same. The insert is developed from a tube, which may be a section of a seamless or welded tube, or may be constructed from a fiatpiece of sheet metal. s 1

Referring now to Fig. '3, thefirst position shown is that of a flat sheet metal blank 25 which may be rectangular or circular as de-' sired, it being obvious that if'the blank is wwi , rectangular, the corners thereof may be e ef the la k eing d 'e ieel, with the e ,ShQWE} trimmed off initially, or ata later stage in the method. The blank is drawn through a die to form a cup-shaped member 26.

Further drawing steps progressively form the lank. int the le t le t etr members 27, 28, 29. and 30. p The member- 29 m slightly flared outwardly as at 31, and the member is still further flared outwardly as etc 2, h flare be ng lone a mooth. curv Qt The ibottom.lo fcomparatively large radius; the member 30 is then cut or pierced to form an aperture, and it willbeobvious that'th'ese operations result in a blank which is'sul =1 stantially identical with a section of tubing,

thickness, th el etruetie b ng etfret w in-F -c Th p. p r i n s n l st' et at 3.3 e d h h b .P i n 3 n Whi h the meter i b t eme hi kee es he re e Ofh bla k, t e e ng pe t eil in F 4. J

V The" ble k'ie as e e p' mit' the w t xpe d d and te m t e sh'ekes and r mof continuous integral metal] Accordingly a plurality of vertical cuts. 36 are t e tubular b e'nk, end-W i e ey ef @ll fi an 8' a te m d eterm dietethe"ei te' 5,6 the e t eti' s rewith-i l i-f f eet th eu e 3 pr i e fr m eneee ge wer l' he 'etliee h e the te 38 ere peei ely ei reeed- I eliee el e-r etee t et the uite e eiid. 3'

e are etineeu e ng eene t y, i lle Ye ee 'P rt en 9, t the ei t- C T e, t may be termed. .i he ttbu et lank in ey tle d'meneer- For ieeteeee;

a. the cuts 36 may he saw kerfs extending from thefier lc dge .2 th ree er er e th engt efithe tu e, u erm ae in hor ef a he oth r e het t The e1 t 3 +38 39 'may' be sheared,a nd tof preyent tearing of em telthe ank i 'pref rebly fir t dri t t & e d, 4 t1 leee i o thes l t d l el eingip -e tmiee l et be e ema P ints ftll t Q 'e u the til -1 may be sheared also if desired, in which, case d illed h e r ll be termed xt e ime? fidle thereof to avoid tearing same manner-L When formed as above described the cuts 37-3 9. "er el e ne e i ecl te m shaped cuts surrounding theflower ends of the respective cuts36, I

outwardly at the-bottom thereof.

'10, while the folds at'2'3' and 24' ire exag r 's e e by the -terms Fig lrli the e ew When the blank is cut as above described, the metal between the cuts 37 and 38 will form the spoke portions 12, 13, 14 and 15. The metal surrounding the cuts 36 will form the rim portions 20 and 21, the two together te mite e im e e Wh eh W ll be s- Jl e eae hil h eet te re t se lying between adj'acentcuts 36 will be designated as 44.

liteierring tel Sisal, nes l d that th opera-ties aespesdineth bular blank is to spread the portions 44, which effectsa wi'dening'fi otgthe cuts 36. Preferably at the same time the portions 43 are spread This Spre l ng en xpend sg f the, blank: Pr ebly takes Plee'e imu teeeeaelr me ta eftl ie ep tetie'n being-there e1 I vtl be ueeeree ee that the lleetxi i ne ef Eig 7 tee ti e mewhet fanciful, portions thereofb'ein ggera ted and d et tt e he rurp e .of these, ie bein tee sh w. the preer ee. er r t elf the m al ring thee-expanses ileet et W at F gs 72M118Will lee m rely fk gih e tions during this operation; the'spr its ne d net tek Pl ee eimultai ly; h 'eplr ed ee i he Pe, i;en e. 4. 5 W1 e t PQI i IiI 4' m y take Phee. c ire eeqe'enee-v v At somenterniediate stage in th'e formaie e th et e te e heW tEigetlle ll-eire'in'l igf fitt.

lie it 'et h ten ielly he 'm pla e I ures eing else In re y terth purreee el h w g he Pr ress it i t e m tal. delete the folding 'p et li 'Detted lines; are met et elp tl igy 6. test-7 .0w thelin e 45 end 46 fel ns h fiel n ek Pleee 'ebeut the portion 22." .ll QIH E ,9 it"will be V vious that th e fold at'45 will be in thelop;

Peeite dir eti e th felel 4 e-t ett rim portion 21 may ultimately lie ete elly' the ewe Platele s th rim-Petti 20- Dot e i e e e e q h wn QeEie. ,6

to indicate the folds at 23 and 24, and; s p;

p em nt y fe e are it di et l at ndl T ed ere a n. ngle to eeehe be e that the rim rer' ieeegaw '2 be b u h n p si ion; i tee; se s p e e. e ee y ee t b$t n el -.!ight gleelte e spoke with which they integrgah Y Afterthe me al ee-sheen fold d a ebe tl scribed, the insert may be, put into' ,.a press so at e b er? blew my b s r ck at t lite fiett n te eem eh e P eible.

Without w akeni g th em L At. e e. iat me e e tese Q? the Pte e t e e ien 4 eemrxi ns h im pertiete 20 and 21 Will be bent intoa2 circ lag the member 58 comprises a radial flange 60 which underlies the flange 18 and portions of the spokes, and extends up around and overlies the top of the same. This construction forms segmental strips 61 overlying the flange 18, and flange extensions 62 overlying the inner portions of the spokes, with their edges meeting at the lines 63. In this manner the decorative finish at the hub and cup portion is provided without any riveting or welding. It is obvious that the preferred embodiment of the insert developed from the blank shown in Fig. 4 will have all of its parts integrally connected so that no joining of any character is necessary and also no scrap metal need be wasted.

While several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in such detail as to enable anyone skilled in the art to practice the invention, nevertheless the invention is not to be limited to any of the details disclosed other than as necessitated by the development of the prior art, but instead includes such embodiments of the broad idea as fall within the scope of the subjoined claims, it being obvious that various changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A sheet metal blank of the characterdescribed, comprising a tubular member having cuts therein dividing the same into spoke portions, rim portions and a hub portion; said cuts terminating within the confines of said blank, leaving said spoke portions integral wi h said hub portion, and said rim portions integral with said spoke portions, said rim portions being located between said spoke portions.

2. A sheet metal blank of the character descr bed, comprising a hub portion, spoke portions projecting from one edge of said hub portion, and rim portions projecting reversely from the ends of said spoke portions and lying therebetween.

3. A sheet metal blank for forming a steering wheel insert having cuts extending from one end toward the other, but terminating short thereof, and substantially U-shaped cuts surrounding the first mentioned cuts and terminating short of the end from which the first mentioned cuts extend.

4. A method of forming an article of the character'described, which comprises form'- ing cuts in a tubular sheet metal blank from one edge toward the other, but terminating,

short thereof, forming substantially U-shaped cuts surrounding the first mentioned cuts, and expanding said blank to form a continuous element of the material of said blank on each side of thefirst mentioned'cuts.

5. A method of forming'an article of the character described, which comprises forming. cuts in a tubular sheet metal blank from one edge towardthe other, forming substan tially U-sh'apedcuts surrounding the first mentioned cuts, and expand ng sazd blank to form a continuous element of the material on h each side of the first mentioned cuts, and to form said continuous elementintegral with strips "remaining between adjacent pairs of said second mentioned cuts.

6. A method of forming an articleof the character described, which comprises shear: ing a sheet metal blank between portions thereof adapted to form spoke portions and rim portions, and expanding said blank to spread said spoke portions and suspend said rim portions between the ends of adjacent spoke portions.

7. The method of forming av sheet metal blank for a steering wheel insert, which com-V prises cutting said blank to form spaced spoke portions, and cutting the metal between said spoke portions to form rim portions, but leaving the adjacent ends of said rim portions integral with the ends of said spokeportions. p

8. The method of forming a steeringwheel insert, which comprises cutting a tube to form spoke portions and rim portions, and spreading one end of said tube to'separate the ends of said spoke portions and folding said rim portions to form a continuous integral rim.

9. The method of forming a steering wheel insert which comprises forming primary partial cuts in a tubular sheet metal blank from therefrom any substantial areas thereof,

forming secondary partial cuts extending parallel to the first mentioned cuts and around one end thereof, expanding said tube, and folding the portions between said primary and secondary partial cuts to forma continuous rim.

10. The method of forming a sheet metal insert for a steering wheel, which comprises' cutting a tube to divide the same into as many portions as there are spokes in the finished wheel, further cutting each of said portions to divide the same into spoke portions and rim portions integral with the ends thereof, bending down'said spoke portions, and

forcing said rim portions outwardly to form a continuous integral element.

11. The method of forming a sheet metal insert for a steering wheel, which comprises 1 1 cutting a tube to divide the sa'me'into as many iwrt n as her 'are poke in t fi i hed heel further cutting each of saidiportion s to divide the same into spoke portions end rim portions integral With the ends thereof, bending down said spoke portions, forcing said riin portions outwardly to form a col-1T tinu o-n s integral element, and folding and bending said element to form a circularrim, 12. The1nethod of forming a contlnnous 1 metal insert for a steering heel, which consists in cutting spaced slots in a tube, cutting other slots extending around the inner ends of said first mentioned slots, and expanding said tube. w

In testimony whereof, We hereunto aifiz; our

signatures.

BUDD BRONSQN. R MABBAQH-V

Images