US3530739A - Steering-wheel assembly - Google Patents

Steering-wheel assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US3530739A
US3530739A US816658A US3530739DA US3530739A US 3530739 A US3530739 A US 3530739A US 816658 A US816658 A US 816658A US 3530739D A US3530739D A US 3530739DA US 3530739 A US3530739 A US 3530739A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
wheel
hollows
sheath
steering
perforations
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US816658A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Karl Meier
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.)
Kamei Auto Komfort Wolfsburg K Meier KG
Original Assignee
Kamei Auto Komfort Wolfsburg K Meier KG
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
Application filed by Kamei Auto Komfort Wolfsburg K Meier KG filed Critical Kamei Auto Komfort Wolfsburg K Meier KG
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3530739A publication Critical patent/US3530739A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B62D1/06—Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20576—Elements
    • Y10T74/20732—Handles
    • Y10T74/20834—Hand wheels
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20576—Elements
    • Y10T74/20732—Handles
    • Y10T74/20834—Hand wheels
    • Y10T74/2087—Rim grips and covers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20576—Elements
    • Y10T74/20732—Handles
    • Y10T74/20876—Caps and covers

Definitions

  • a toroidal steering wheel is formed with a plurality of surface indentations.
  • a toroidal resilient plastic sheath tightly envelops this wheel spanning these indentations to form the wheel-gripping surface.
  • This sheath consists of a spongy resiliently compressible porous layer and a nonporous surface layer with a multiplicity of throughgoing perforations communicating with the indentations. The indentations can breathe through these perforations, when the gripping sheath or cover is compressed and released.
  • My present invention relates to a steering-wheel assembly and, more particularly, to a steering wheel for an automotive vehicle in combination with a grip-improving cover therefor.
  • My copending application Ser. No. 684,686 discloses a cover which extends principles originally set forth in US. Pat. No. 3,312,124 issued on Apr. 4, 1967 to Klaus Meier and myself and entitled Steering-Wheel Assembly for Automotive Vehicles.
  • a cover of this type is provided in the region of the perforations with a number of channels along the upper surface of the cover in the region of its engagement with the hand of the user, these channels being of an extent exceeding a hands breadth.
  • each of the perforations may be formed on a protuberance above a pocket of the cover whereby channels are formed between the protuberances or else longitudinal ridges provided connecting aligned protuberances and defining between the ridges respective troughs which constitute the channels.
  • the foamed or cellular layer may be formed with individual pockets communicating with and individual to the perforations by pressing the protuberances from the generally flat layer.
  • common channels may extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the cover in communication with respective sets of such perforations and, advantageously, with the perforations along a common line.
  • the cover which may be used with any manipulatable member, especially a steering-wheel crown, a tennis racket or a tool handle, is provided with an outwardly bulging protuberance at each of its perforations.
  • the cover may have a resilient cellular or foamed and porous inner layer and an outer, gas-impermeable skin which may be formed during the normal foaming process at which the band is made.
  • the foamed band is a polyvinyl chloride or other thermoplastic foam
  • the perforated but otherwise fluid-impenetrable surface skin can be produced by calendering the foamed band at a temperature in the region of the softening point thereof with- Patented Sept. 29, 1970 ice out completely compressing the band. This process forms a relatively tough skin.
  • a similar skin can be provided on the underside of the cover.
  • a system of this latter type has the significant advantage that air expressed from the channels or compartments between the wheel cover and the surface of the wheel, passes into the region of contact of the vehicleoperators hand and the upper surface of the wheel cover through the perforations in the latter. This breathing action facilitates circulation of blood in the hand, prevents or limits the development of heat in the wheelgripping position and thus limits perspiration, and precludes sticking of the hand to the wheel-cover surface.
  • a more particular object is to provide an assembly of the character described which facilitates blood circulation in the hands of the vehicle operator by improved aeration of the gripping surface of the vehicle wheel.
  • a steering-wheel assembly wherein the surface of the steering wheel is formed with a plurality of hollows, recesses or indentations with closed peripheries or boundary edges.
  • a cover or sheath consisting of a porous thermoplastic resiliently compressible cellular or foamed synthetic resin core layer with a pair of fluid-impermeable skins unitarily connected there with and formed with a multiplicity of throughgoing perforations is stretched tightly over the wheel. It thus spans the hollows, engaging the wheel all around each hollow, thereby creating large cells or compartments which communicate with the ambient atmosphere only through the perforations.
  • this sheath is held on the wheel by a helically wound band or strip.
  • This strip lies between the hollows on the wheel.
  • the surface of the toroidal wheel is formed with a helical groove to receive this strip.
  • the sheath can be welded onto the steering wheel if this latter is also of synthetic-resin material (eg by thermal or heat sealing when both sheath and wheel are composed of a thermoplastic or by solvent welding). It is also held from slipping on the wheel merely by providing ridges, roughened portions or multifarious protuberances unitarily on the surface of the wheel.
  • the sheath is preferably a band which is folded over or wound helically around the wheel with its abutting edges welded together (e.g. by heat sealing simultaneously with the bonding of the sheath to the wheel).
  • Such an assembly has several advantages. First of all, it is, so to speak, extremely cool to use. The hollows breathe through the perforations each time the sheath is depressed into them so that, even in the hottest of weather, the driver need not be bothered by a perspiration-covered steering wheel. Furthermore, such a steering-wheel assembly offers a sure grip for the driver at all times. In addition, its smooth attractive appearance belies the fact that it offers the driver this excellent grip.
  • FIG. 1 is a partly sectional view of a portion of a steering-wheel assembly according to my invention
  • FIG. 2 is a further embodiment of the assembly of my invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partly broken away of yet another embodiment of my invention.
  • a portion of a toroidal steering wheel 1 made of thermoplastic synthetic resins is formed with depressions or hollows 1a whose closed periphery is raised above the floor of the hollow which is therefore of the configuration of a crater.
  • a thermoplastic synthetic-resin sheath 2 is stretched over this wheel 1. This sheath 2 is welded to the wheel 1 at a dielectric or thermal weld 5 so that it hugs this wheel everywhere except at the hollows 1a and all around the periphery of each of them.
  • the bonded wheel cover is formed with throughgoing perforations 2a through which the hollows 1a can breathe.
  • the sheath 2 has a porous cellular resiliently compressible foamed core 8 and a pair of nonporous outer skins 6 and 7 all of the same material and made as disclosed in the above-cited Pat. No. 3,312,124.
  • the perforations 2a are punched through the sheath 2 so that on compression and decompression the core 8 itself breathes.
  • FIG. 2 shows a steering wheel 1' covered with a sheath 2' with perforations 2:1 as above.
  • strip 3 of resilient material such as polyvinyl chloride is wound helically around the wheel 1 to hold the sheath 2 in place.
  • the wheel 1' is formed with a helically extending groove 112' that runs along between its crateral hollows 1a which are formed on diametrically opposite sides of the wheel 1.
  • the hollows 1a are also advantageously arranged so that the helical groove 1b can run between them on both sides at even pitch.
  • a synthetic-resin steering wheel 1 with hollows 1a" is enveloped by a sheath 2" formed with perforations 2a".
  • the edges of the band that originally comprised the sheath 2" are thermally welded together at 20'.
  • this latter is molded with tiny bumps 4a and annular ridges 4b.
  • a steering-wheel assembly comprising a generally toroidal steering wheel having a surface formed with a plurality of hollows each surrounded by a closed periphery raised above the floor of the hollow, and a resilient sheath substantially enveloping said steering wheel and alfixed thereto while spanning said hollows closely engaging said peripheries all around said hollows, said sheath being formed with a multiplicity of throughgoing perforations, at least some of said perforations registering with said hollows whereby said hollows communicating with the ambient atmosphere only through said perforations, said sheath comprising an inner resiliently compressible porous cellular core and an outer fluid-impenetrable skin overlying said core and formed unitarily therewith, said perforations extending through said core and said skin, said hollows being of crateral configuration, and a strip Wound helically around said wheel over said sheath, said strip lying on said skin between said hollows, said surface being formed with a helical groove extending between said hollows, said strip being lodged in
  • a steering-wheel assembly comprising a generally toroidal steering wheel having a surface formed with a plurality of hollows each surrounding by a closed periphery raised above the floor of the hollow, and a resilient sheath substantially enveloping said steering wheel and afiixed thereto while spanning said hollows closely engaging said peripheries all around said hollows, said sheath being formed with a multiplicity of throughgoing perforations, at least some of said perforations registering with said hollows whereby said hollows communicating with the ambient atmosphere only through said perforations, said sheath comprising an inner resiliently compressible porous cellular core and an outer fluid-impenetrable skin overlying said core and formed unitarily therewith, said perforations extending through said core and said skin,
  • said hollows being of crateral configuration, said steering wheel being annular and of substantially round cross section, said hollows being formedon diametrically opposite sides of said wheel.
  • sheath comprises an elongated band wrapped around said wheel, said band having its longitudinal edges abutting and welded together.
  • a steering-wheel assembly comprising a generally toroidal steering wheel having a surface formed with a plurality of hollows each surrounded by a closed periphery raised above the floor of the hollow, and a resilient sheath substantially enveloping said steering wheel and afiixed thereto while spanning said hollows closely engaging said peripheries all around said hollows, said sheath being formed with a multiplicity of throughgoing perforations, at least some of said perforations registering with said hollows whereby said hollows communicating with the ambient atmosphere only through said perforations, said sheath comprising an inner resiliently compressible porous cellular core and an outer fluid-impenetrable skin overlying said core and formed unitarily therewith, said perforations extending through said core and said skin, said hollows being of crateral configuration, said surface being formed with means for preventing slippage of said sheath relative thereon, said means for preventing slippage of said sheath including a multiplicity of protuberance formed on said wheel between said hollows

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
US816658A 1968-05-28 1969-04-16 Steering-wheel assembly Expired - Lifetime US3530739A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEK0061357 1968-05-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3530739A true US3530739A (en) 1970-09-29

Family

ID=7230043

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US816658A Expired - Lifetime US3530739A (en) 1968-05-28 1969-04-16 Steering-wheel assembly

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3530739A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2009443A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1219735A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL6903261A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3726152A (en) * 1970-05-18 1973-04-10 Izumi Motor Car Co Ltd Kk Steering wheel for motor car
US4108020A (en) * 1975-07-19 1978-08-22 Reinhold Fleischmann Steering wheel cover
US4537400A (en) * 1983-07-05 1985-08-27 Puma-Sportschuhfabriken Rudolf Dassler Kg Racket grip having a grip strip
US4579775A (en) * 1983-04-30 1986-04-01 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Steering wheel for automobile
US4782872A (en) * 1986-06-27 1988-11-08 Poltrona Frau S.P.A. Cover for steering wheels
US4819939A (en) * 1985-10-30 1989-04-11 Maruman Golf Co., Ltd. Grip for a golf club shaft
US4893519A (en) * 1987-07-24 1990-01-16 Sandro Mentasti & C. S.A.S. Handlebar grip
US5287767A (en) * 1992-08-25 1994-02-22 Classic Accessories, Inc. Vehicle steering wheel cover
US5393298A (en) * 1992-08-18 1995-02-28 Chang; Yih-Jong Steering wheel cover
US20020062712A1 (en) * 2000-11-29 2002-05-30 Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co., Kg Method of producing a vehicle steering wheel as well as a vehicle steering wheel
US6651526B1 (en) * 1999-09-06 2003-11-25 Yamaha Corporation Steering wheel and manufacturing method therefor
US6858286B1 (en) * 1999-04-22 2005-02-22 Robert Bosch Gmbh Supple handle element for electric handtools
US20110072934A1 (en) * 2009-09-25 2011-03-31 Rene Ulbrich Control lever for a vehicle
USD712806S1 (en) 2013-11-01 2014-09-09 Custom Accessories, Inc. Steering wheel cover core
USD735553S1 (en) * 2006-10-05 2015-08-04 Lowe's Companies, Inc. Tool handle
EP2620133B1 (de) * 2012-01-30 2016-05-04 Christian Sutter Vorrichtung für persönliche Beförderungsmittel, die besonders für Kranke oder Behinderte ausgebildet sind

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2408388A (en) * 1944-02-12 1946-10-01 Harry F George Steering wheel
US3312124A (en) * 1964-12-14 1967-04-04 Kamei Autokomfort Steering-wheel assembly for automotive vehicles

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2408388A (en) * 1944-02-12 1946-10-01 Harry F George Steering wheel
US3312124A (en) * 1964-12-14 1967-04-04 Kamei Autokomfort Steering-wheel assembly for automotive vehicles

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3726152A (en) * 1970-05-18 1973-04-10 Izumi Motor Car Co Ltd Kk Steering wheel for motor car
US4108020A (en) * 1975-07-19 1978-08-22 Reinhold Fleischmann Steering wheel cover
US4579775A (en) * 1983-04-30 1986-04-01 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Steering wheel for automobile
US4537400A (en) * 1983-07-05 1985-08-27 Puma-Sportschuhfabriken Rudolf Dassler Kg Racket grip having a grip strip
US4819939A (en) * 1985-10-30 1989-04-11 Maruman Golf Co., Ltd. Grip for a golf club shaft
US4782872A (en) * 1986-06-27 1988-11-08 Poltrona Frau S.P.A. Cover for steering wheels
US4893519A (en) * 1987-07-24 1990-01-16 Sandro Mentasti & C. S.A.S. Handlebar grip
US5393298A (en) * 1992-08-18 1995-02-28 Chang; Yih-Jong Steering wheel cover
US5287767A (en) * 1992-08-25 1994-02-22 Classic Accessories, Inc. Vehicle steering wheel cover
US6858286B1 (en) * 1999-04-22 2005-02-22 Robert Bosch Gmbh Supple handle element for electric handtools
US6651526B1 (en) * 1999-09-06 2003-11-25 Yamaha Corporation Steering wheel and manufacturing method therefor
US20020062712A1 (en) * 2000-11-29 2002-05-30 Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co., Kg Method of producing a vehicle steering wheel as well as a vehicle steering wheel
US6889576B2 (en) * 2000-11-29 2005-05-10 Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Method of producing a vehicle steering wheel as well as a vehicle steering wheel
USD735553S1 (en) * 2006-10-05 2015-08-04 Lowe's Companies, Inc. Tool handle
USD788564S1 (en) * 2006-10-05 2017-06-06 Lowe's Companies, Inc. Tool handle
USD837025S1 (en) 2006-10-05 2019-01-01 Lowe's Companies, Inc. Tool handle
USD889927S1 (en) 2006-10-05 2020-07-14 Lowe's Companies, Inc. Tool handle
USD967686S1 (en) 2006-10-05 2022-10-25 Lowe's Companies, Inc. Tool handle
USD1048849S1 (en) 2006-10-05 2024-10-29 Lowe's Companies, Inc. Tool handle
US20110072934A1 (en) * 2009-09-25 2011-03-31 Rene Ulbrich Control lever for a vehicle
US8516915B2 (en) * 2009-09-25 2013-08-27 Class Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen Gmbh Control lever for a vehicle
EP2620133B1 (de) * 2012-01-30 2016-05-04 Christian Sutter Vorrichtung für persönliche Beförderungsmittel, die besonders für Kranke oder Behinderte ausgebildet sind
USD712806S1 (en) 2013-11-01 2014-09-09 Custom Accessories, Inc. Steering wheel cover core

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL6903261A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1969-12-02
GB1219735A (en) 1971-01-20
FR2009443A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-02-06

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