US20020073899A1

US20020073899A1 - Foldable steering wheel table

Info

Publication number: US20020073899A1
Application number: US09/735,557
Authority: US
Inventors: Zhong Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-12
Filing date: 2000-12-12
Publication date: 2002-06-20
Also published as: US6412425B1

Abstract

A foldable table for steering wheel with features and devices that include: a table angle control (9), a springing strip (31), a limit stopper (32) and reinforcing rib (34) on the support (3) to restrict the foldable table not to fall apart in fold-up position for easy carrying and storage; different ways of easily and rigidly mounting the foldable table on a steering wheel which can be removed just as easily as mounting; and a oblong slot on the surface of the foldable table for storage of pens, utensils, etc.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to a unique horizontally foldable steering wheel table, which is easy to carry and handle, will not open apart easily without an extra force in a folded-up position, and can be easily and rigidly mounted in different ways on a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, for use by a person sitting behind the steering wheel for reading, writing, eating, using lap-top computer, and cosmetics, when the vehicle is in parking position.

2. Description of Prior Art

A number of devices have been created to provide a steering wheel table, some of those are foldable, but none of them will provide such a foldable steering wheel table that will not easily fall apart when in folded-up position.

Also, those previous inventions have problems to easily and rigidly mount a steering wheel table on a steering wheel of a motor vehicle. None of these inventions are efficient enough to solve all the problems.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,306 to Breuner (1998) discloses a portable steering wheel mounted computer table.

a) This device is mounted on a steering wheel by a shock cord. This structure is not practical and rigid. The table will not be in balance, especially when there is an air bag bump on the steering wheel.

b) It does not posses a neat and uniform appearance and looks unstable by using a shock cord or similar material when placing an expensive and heavy laptop computer on it.

c) This device has nothing to prevent or stop a force from under the table surface, which may knock the table off the steering wheel and damage the expensive computer.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,305 to Jacovelli (1998) discloses a tray for use in automobiles for placing food, drink or others.

d) By design, this device looks not stable enough on a steering wheel and the two end of the tray may go up and down like a seesaw.

U.K. Pat. No. GB1,550,890 to Hardy (1979) discloses a foldable steering wheel table with two hooks hanging on a steering wheel.

e) By design, this device has nothing to prevent or stop a force from under the table surface, which may knock the table off the steering wheel, and it will not be useful when there is an air bag bump on the steering wheel.

f) Though this device can be folded up when not in use, the table surface board will be unfolded by itself without a lock, which is not convenient for carrying.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,026 to Seibert (1996) discloses a tray for use on a steering wheel.

g) This device, which has a pocket on the top of the tray to hang on a steering wheel but has nothing else to stable the device on a steering wheel, is very easy to fall off and not stable.

h) All of the above described inventions has no device to place or store pans, spoons, forks, other utensils, etc. on a table surface.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Several objects and advantages of my invention include those that:

a) will not open by itself when in folded-up position;

b) require an extra force to separate and unfold the support and table surface;

c) is easy for carrying;

d) there is an oblong slot on the table surface for placing pen, utensils, etc.;

e) by using latch or catch on the support, will greatly increase the easiness and stability of the foldable steering wheel table on a steering wheel;

f) uses different ways of latch or catch to mount a steering wheel table for different steering wheels;

g) by using a catch or latch, will reduce the overall size of a steering wheel table;

h) by using one or more moveable catches or latches that can move along the support, will fit and mount on different point and place on a steering.

DRAWING FIGURES

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. [0027]
FIG. 1 shows a support table in perspective view assembled of the various parts of a typical embodiment. [0028]
FIG. 1A shows a table in perspective exploded view and the association of various parts. [0029]
FIG. 2 shows a table in topside view assembled of the various parts. [0030]
FIG. 3 shows a table in front side view. [0031]
FIG. 4 shows a table in back side view. [0032]
FIG. 5 shows a table in bottom side view. [0033]
FIG. 5A shows a cup slot in a sectional view. [0034]
FIG. 6 shows a table in right side view and the association of various parts of a typical embodiment. [0035]
FIG. 2 through FIG. 6 shows the views when the support and table surface are in a position of 90 degree. [0036]
FIG. 6A shows a table in right side view in the closed position. [0037]
FIG. 7A through 7D shows [0038] 4 different angle positions of the support and table surface by turning angle-adjusting wheels.
FIG. 7E shows an angle-adjusting wheel in a sectional view. [0039]
FIG. 7F shows an angle-adjusting wheel in back side view. [0040]
FIG. 7G shows an angle adjusting wheel axle in a sectional view. [0041]
FIG. 8 shows the foldable steering wheel table with a clamp in the folded-up position in perspective view assembled of the various parts of a typical embodiment. [0042]
FIG. 8A shows the side view (from direction of A) [0043]
FIG. 8B shows the inner structure of a table angle control in a sectional view at the point of [0044] 8B-8B.
FIG. 8C shows the whole view of the table angle control in the folded-up position in a sectional view at the point of [0045] 8C-8C.
FIG. 8D shows part of the steering wheel table in the topside view (from the direction of D). [0046]
FIG. 8E to FIG. 8G show several positions of the close-open limitation structure. [0047]
FIG. 8E shows the limitation structure in the closed position of the steering wheel table in a sectional view at the point of [0048] 8E-8E.
FIG. 8F shows the position of the limit stopper (on the tip of the springing strip) on the reinforcing rib in a sectional view at the point of [0049] 8E-8E.
FIG. 8G shows the position of the limit stopper (on the tip of the springing strip) over the reinforcing rib in a sectional view at the point of [0050] 8E-8E.
FIG. 9 shows the steering wheel table without clamp in the open position in perspective view assembled of the various parts of a typical embodiment. [0051]
FIG. 9A shows the support with the springing snap catch in a sectional view at the point of [0052] 9A-9A.
FIG. 9B shows the back view of the springing snap catch from the direction of [0053] 9B.
FIG. 10 shows the steering wheel table support in the open position with snap latch in perspective view. [0054]
FIG [0055] 10A shows the support with the snap latch in the closed position in a sectional view at the point of 10A-10A.
FIG [0056] 10B shows the support with the snap latch in the open position in a sectional view at the point of 10A-10A.
FIG. 11 shows the steering wheel table support in the open position with single-hinge latch in perspective view. [0057]
FIG. 11 A shows the support with the single-hinge latch in the closed position in a sectional view at the point of [0058] 11A-11A.
FIG. 11B shows the support with the single-hinge latch in the open position in a sectional view at the point of [0059] 11A-11A.
FIG. 12 shows the steering wheel table support in the open position with double-hinge latch in perspective view. [0060]
FIG. 12B shows the support with the double-hinge latch in the closed position in a sectional view at the point of [0061] 12A-12A.
FIG. 12B shows the support with the double-hinge latch in the open position in a sectional view at the point of [0062] 12A-12A.
FIG. 13 shows the steering wheel table support in the open position with a moveable latch in perspective view. [0063]
FIG. 13B shows the support with the moveable double-hinge latch in the closed position in a sectional view at the point of [0064] 13A-13A.
FIG. 13B shows the support with the moveable double-hinge latch in the open position in a sectional view at the point of [0065] 13A-13A.

REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS

[0066] 1. table
[0067] 2. cup slot
[0068] 3. support with front half clamp
[0069] 4. back half clamp
[0070] 5. clamp spring
[0071] 6. clamp axle
[0072] 7. table axle sleeve
[0073] 8. table axle
[0074] 9. table angle control
[0075] 10. angle-adjusting wheel axle
[0076] 11. angle-adjusting wheel
[0077] 12. angle-control polygonal flange plate
[0078] 13. angle-adjusting wheel spring
[0079] 14. angle-adjusting wheel spring cover
[0080] 15. angle-adjusting wheel screw
[0081] 16. steering wheel
[0082] 17. steering wheel in sectional view
[0083] 18. angle-adjusting wheel axle in sectional view
[0084] 19. angle-adjusting wheel axle's square end
[0085] 20. flange point on a table angle control
[0086] 21. recess holes in angle-adjusting wheel
[0087] 22. surface of angle-control polygonal flange plate
[0088] 23. side of angle-control polygonal flange plate
[0089] 24. 45 degree chamfer angle on the inner edge of angle-adjusting wheel
[0090] 25. reinforcing rib for table surface
[0091] 26. side of table surface
[0092] 27. inner sidewall
[0093] 28. radian of inner side of a clamp
[0094] 29. round hole on an angle-control polygonal flange plate
[0095] 30. square hole on angle-control polygonal flange plate
[0096] 31. springing strip
[0097] 32. limit stopper
[0098] 33. table surface
[0099] 34. reinforcing rib for table angle control
[0100] 35. wall of cup slot
[0101] 36. sectional view of a steering wheel bar
[0102] 37. back view of a steering wheel bar
[0103] 38. springing snap latch or catch
[0104] 39. snap latch or catch
[0105] 40. lock of latch or catch
[0106] 41. lock of latch or catch
[0107] 42. single-hinge snap latch or catch
[0108] 43. double-hinge snap latch or catch
[0109] 44. hinge link
[0110] 45. seat of moveable latch or catch
[0111] 46. latch or catch
[0112] 47. hinge link
[0113] 48. reinforcing rib for support
[0114] 49. axle of hinge
[0115] 50. oblong slot
Description—FIG. 1 to [0116] 13
FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed embodiment of the present invention. [0117]
FIG. 1A and FIG. 5 show all parts of the present invention. Except springs and screws, this device can be constructed with plastic material, such as ABS, polystyrene, and polypropylene. The thickness of all walls of every part does not exceed 3 mm for big parts, and 1 to 1.5 mm for small parts. The thickness of the reinforcing ribs for the table will not exceed 1.5 mm. The table [0118] 1 comprises of a surface board 33, 4 sidewalls 26 and reinforcing ribs 25.
FIG. 2 through FIG. 6 shows the views when the support and table surface are in a position of 90 degree. [0119]
FIG. 2 shows a table [0120] 1 wider than a steering wheel and a cup slot 2 position on the table 1.
FIG. 3 shows a front view of an [0121] arch shape support 3 with a clamp on it.
FIG. 4 shows that the radian of the inner sidewall [0122] 27 of the support is similar with the radian of the outside edge of most steering wheels. This device will fit for mounting on different motor vehicles. The back half clamp 4 is connected with the support 3 by clamp axle 6. The top and bottom edges of the back half clamp 4 is designed to have a similar radian of the outside edge of a steering wheel, and the inner side of the back half clamp is also designed to have a similar radian of the ring of a steering wheel. With the force of the clamp spring 5, the device is rigidly mounted on a steering wheel. The device will not shift or move in any directions. Number 16 is a steering wheel in the support 3.
FIG. 5 shows a table in bottom side view. [0123] Number 25 is the reinforcing ribs with same thickness to strengthen the table surface.
FIG. 5A shows a [0124] cup slot 2 in a sectional view. The depth of the slot is the same as the reinforce rib 25.
FIG. 6 shows that the table [0125] 1 may be constructed in a single part with the table angle control 9 in casting, in order that the table angle control 9 will move and push the table 1 up and down. Number 17 is a steering wheel in sectional view in the support 3.
FIG. 7A to [0126] 7D show that the angle-adjusting wheel 11 and angle-control polygonal flange plate 12 are connected to each other and are constructed as one part in casting. The plate is an irregular polygon, could be (4 sided) irregular quadrilateral or (5 sided) irregular pentagon, depending on how many adjusting levels are desired. One more side will add one more different level.
FIG. 7E is an angle-adjusting [0127] wheel 11 in a sectional view, and FIG. 7F is an angle-adjusting wheel 11 in back view. FIG. 7E and 7F show that the polygonal plate 12 has a square hole 29 in the middle in 2 mm deep, then changes into a round hole 29 all the way through. In corresponding to this specially designed hole, the angle-adjusting wheel axle 10 has the same characters and its bottom end 19 is square too. As forced down by the angle-adjusting wheel spring 13, the angle-adjusting wheel axle's square end 19 goes into the polygonal plate square hole 30. Thus, the angle-adjusting wheel 11 is locked and will not turn or rotate. The position of the angle-control polygonal flange plate 12 determines the position of the table angle control 9 and the angle of the table 1. Because the radius of the each side of the polygonal plate 12 to the middle point of the angle-adjusting wheel 11 is different.
FIG. 7G is an angle [0128] adjusting wheel axle 10 in a sectional view, showing that the axle is a cylinder with a square end.
FIG. 8 shows the foldable steering wheel table with a clamp in the folded-up position in perspective view assembled of the various parts of a typical embodiment. Because of the resistance from the [0129] limit stopper 32, the angle between the table 1 and support 3 will not change unless with an extra force to separate the table and support.
FIG. 8E shows the folded-up position at the point of [0130] 8E-8E. FIG. 8G shows that the limit stopper 32 is over the reinforcing rib 34 for table angle control into FIG. 8G open-up position after the springing strip bends and passes the position of FIG. 8F. If the table is being folded up with an extra force, the limit stopper 32 will go over the reinforcing rib 34 for table angle control again to the position of FIG. 8E. This ensures that the steering wheel table will not folded-up or open by itself without any extra force.
FIG. 9 shows an alternative way (instead of clamp) to stabilize the [0131] support 3 on a steering wheel. A springing snap latch or catch 38 is used and molded in manufacturing on the support 3. This springing snap latch or catch 38 can be made of plastic or stainless steel.
FIG. 9A shows the [0132] support 3 with the springing snap latch or catch 38 in a sectional view. The lower part of the latch or catch 38 is curved inwards, thus requires an extra force to push the support 3 and springing snap latch or catch 38 on to a steering wheel. The steering wheel table will not fall away without an extra force to pull it out.
FIG. 10 shows another design of a latch or catch to stabilize the [0133] support 3 on a steering wheel. A snap latch or catch 39, that is molded in manufacturing on the support 3, and a lock 40 are used. FIG 10A shows the support 3 with the snap latch or catch 39 in the closed position. FIG 10B shows the supports 3 with the snap latch or catch 39 and lock 40 in the open position. A certain force is required to close or open the latch or catch 39 in order to mount or dismount the steering wheel table on or from a steering wheel.
FIG. 11 shows another design of a latch or catch to stabilize the [0134] support 3 on a steering wheel. A single-hinge snap latch or catch 42, that us pivotally linked by an axle 49 on the support 3, and a lock 41 are used. FIG. 11A shows the support with the single-hinge snap latch or catch 42 in the closed position. FIG. 11B shows the support 3 with the single-hinge snap latch or catch 42 in the open position. A certain force is required to close or open the latch or catch 42 in order to mount or dismount the steering wheel table on or from a steering wheel.
FIG. 12 shows another design of a latch or catch to stabilize the [0135] support 3 on a steering wheel. A double-hinge snap latch or catch 43 that is pivotally linked by axles 49 on the support 3 is used. Two hinges are linked by hinge link 44. FIG. 12A shows the support 3 with the double-hinge snap latch or catch 43 in the closed position. FIG. 12B shows the support 3 with the double-hinge snap latch or catch 43 in the open position. A certain force is required to close or open the latch or catch 43 in order to mount or dismount the steering wheel table on or from a steering wheel.
FIG. 13 shows another design of a latch or catch to stabilize the [0136] support 3 on a steering wheel. A moveable snap latch or catch 46 is used and is pivotally linked by axles 49 on a moveable latch or catch seat 45 which, in turn, is mounted on the reinforcing rib 48 for support 3. Thus, the moveable snap latch or catch 46 can move along the reinforcing rib 48 for a best position to lock the support 3 on a steering wheel. FIG. 13A shows the support 3 with the moveable latch or catch 46 in a closed position. FIG. 13B shows the support 3 with the moveable latch or catch 46 in an open position. A certain force is required to close or open the latch or catch 46 in order to mount or dismount the steering wheel table on or from a steering wheel.
Operation—FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 THROUGH FIG. 13 [0137]
FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate an embodiment showing how the present invention works. [0138]
FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 show that the device mounted on a steering wheel with a [0139] clamp 4 and the support 3.
FIG. 7 shows a serial of positions of the angle-adjusting wheel and the different angles between the table [0140] 1 and the support 3.
If you need to change the table surface angle or level, simply pull up the angle-adjusting [0141] wheel 11 for about 3 mm and turn to a desired position. When the angle-adjusting wheel 11 is released, the wheel will go back down as forced by the angle control spring 13, and there will be a snap sound when flange point 20 on the table angle control 9 goes into a respective recess hole 21 in angle-adjusting wheel 11.
In the illustration of this invention, a 4-sided irregular quadrilateral is used for the angle-control [0142] polygonal flange plate 12. Every 90-degree is a position point for the table angle control 9. By turning the angle-adjusting wheel 11 to a different position, the radius of each side of the polygonal plate 12 to the middle point of the angle-adjusting wheel 11 is changed, which in turn changes the angle (position) of the table angle control 9 and eventually changes the angle between the table 1 and the support 3.
There is one angle-adjusting [0143] wheel 11 on each side of the support 3. It is necessary to adjust both wheels at the same time to the same position point. The position point on the wheel is indicated by numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. For use on the same steering wheel, one time adjustment is enough.
FIG. 8 through FIG. 13 illustrate the operation of folding-up and opening-up the foldable steering wheel table with different latches or catches. [0144]
Summary, Ramification, and Scope [0145]
Thus, the reader will see that the table of this invention can be folded up for easy carrying and storage, will not fall apart from the fold-up position without any extra force, and can be easily and rigidly mounted on a steering wheel,and can be removed just as easily as mounted. [0146]
Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the latch can be catch, more than one latch or catch can be used on the support of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given here either in writing or drawings. [0147]

Claims

I claim:

1. In an improved foldable steering wheel table for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a. a planar table surface;

b. a pair of table angle controls at [the] a bottom of [the] two opposite sides of the table;

c. an arch shape support, with [the] a radian of its inner side wall very similar to that of a steering wheel, pivotally connects to the table surface;

d. one or more clamps on the support;

e. a pair of angle-adjusting wheels, each pivotally connected to a respective lower side of said support, the pivots allowing the angle-adjusting wheels to rotate in order to adjust the level and angle of the table surface;

f. a pair of table angle controls at the bottom of the table at each side, which forms a lever arm at each side of the table, which control and change the angle between the table surface and the support, wherein the angle control extends the length of arm of force from a table axle to the angle-control polygonal flange plate, which enables the table to sustain more weight;

g. a pair of limit stoppers on [the] a springing strip at [the] a bottom of [the] a support at each side; and

h. an oblong slot and cup slot on each side on [the] a table surface.

2. In an improved foldable steering wheel table for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a. a planar table surface;

d. one or more latches or catches on the support;

h. an oblong slot and cup slot on each side on [the] a table surface.

3. In an improved foldable steering wheel table for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a. a planar table surface;

d. one or more moveable latches or catches on the support;

h. an oblong slot and cup slot on each side on [the] a table surface.

4. In a foldable steering wheel table of claims 1 to 3 for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a support having a same or similar radian of an outside edge of a steering wheel, such support covering upper half circle of a steering wheel and vertically extending below the center of a steering wheel to [the] planar table surface.

5. The foldable steering wheel table of claim 1 having a support, said support comprising one or more clamps on said support to mount the table on the steering wheel, wherein each clamp having a same or similar radian of the steering wheel at locations where the clamp attaches to the steering wheel to fit different handle's thickness of steering wheels.

6. The said steering wheel table of claims 1 to 3, having a pair of limit stoppers on [the] a springing strip at [the] a bottom of [the] a support at each side, wherein the limit stoppers will not allow the support and table to fold or unfold without an extra force.

7. The said steering wheel table of claims 1 to 3, having a oblong slot and cup slot on each side on [the] a table surface, wherein the said oblong slot and cup slot greatly reinforce the strength of the table surface and provide storage spaces for things such as pens and utensils.

8. The said steering wheel table of claim 2, having one or more latches or catches on the support, wherein each latch or catch having a same or similar radian of a steering wheel at locations where the latch or catch attaches to the steering wheel.

9. The said steering wheel table of claim 3, having one or more moveable latches or catches on the support, wherein each latch or catch having a same or similar radian of a steering wheel at locations where the moveable latch or catch attaches to the steering wheel.

10. The steering wheel table of claim 3, having one or more moveable latches or catches, wherein each moveable latch or catch can move along the support for a best position to latch or catch the support on a steering wheel.

11. In a foldable steering wheel table for use in a motor vehicle, comprising an arch-shaped support, having a pair of angle-adjusting wheels, a pair of table angle controls which form a lever arm, each angle-adjusting wheel includes a pivot which is pivotally connected to a respective lower part of said support, the pivots allow the angle-adjusting wheels to rotate in order to adjust a level and angle of the table surface, wherein each wheel having an angle-control triangle flange plate, each connected in casting to a respective angle-adjusting wheel as part of the wheel, said flange plate with a triangle shape having a different radius from a middle pivot hole to each side, such that by rotating the wheel with the flange plate, the position of the lever arm changes thereby changing the angle between the table surface and the support.