Automotive steering wheel
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A steering wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a hub operably connected to a steering column of the vehicle for controlling a steering direction of the vehicle;
at least one spoke extending radially outward from the hub;
a wheel mounted to the at least one spoke, the wheel having a central cavity and an outward radial thickness sized to be gripped by a passenger so that manual rotation of the wheel imparts rotation to the spoke and hub to control the steering direction of the vehicle; and
at least one contoured web extending radially inward from the wheel adjacent to an intersection of the at least one spoke and the wheel for providing ergonomic manual gripping of the wheel proximate to the at least one spoke.
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Abstract
The present invention discloses a steering wheel assembly having a hub, a spoke extending from the hub, and a wheel mounted to the spoke for controlling the steering operation of the vehicle. A contoured web is disclosed for facilitating an ergonomic gripping of the steering wheel and for providing comfort to the driver. The invention also discloses a plurality of vehicle operation controls mounted upon the steering wheel assembly for facilitating convenience to the driver while operating the vehicle.
30 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A steering wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising:
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a hub operably connected to a steering column of the vehicle for controlling a steering direction of the vehicle;
at least one spoke extending radially outward from the hub;
a wheel mounted to the at least one spoke, the wheel having a central cavity and an outward radial thickness sized to be gripped by a passenger so that manual rotation of the wheel imparts rotation to the spoke and hub to control the steering direction of the vehicle; and
at least one contoured web extending radially inward from the wheel adjacent to an intersection of the at least one spoke and the wheel for providing ergonomic manual gripping of the wheel proximate to the at least one spoke. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A steering wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising:
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a hub operably connected to a steering column of the vehicle for controlling a steering direction of the vehicle, the hub having at least one spoke extending radially outward from the hub;
a wheel mounted to the at least one spoke, the wheel having a central cavity and an outward radial thickness sized to be gripped by a passenger so that manual rotation of the wheel imparts rotation to the spoke and hub to control the steering direction of the vehicle;
a turn signal indicator switch provided on the hub in operable communication with turn signal indicators of the vehicle so that the passenger may control the turn signal indication from the steering wheel assembly;
a headlight intensity switch provided on the hub in operable communication with headlights of the vehicle so that the passenger may control the intensity of the headlights from the steering wheel assembly;
a hazard signal switch provided on the hub in operable communication with the turn signal indicators of the vehicle so that the passenger may control the hazard signal indication from the steering wheel assembly; and
a wiper switch provided on the hub in operable communication with a wiper assembly of the vehicle so that the passenger may control a wiping operation from the steering wheel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A steering wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising:
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a hub operably connected to a steering column of the vehicle for controlling a steering direction of the vehicle;
a cross member extending radially outward from opposed sides of the hub;
a wheel mounted to the cross member at spaced apart distal ends of the cross member so that the hub is oriented generally coaxial with the hub, the wheel having a central cavity and an outward radial thickness sized to be gripped by a passenger so that manual rotation of the wheel imparts rotation to the spoke and hub to control the steering direction of the vehicle; and
a pair of webs, each extending radially inward from the wheel and engaging the cross member at an included angle provided between a lower portion of the wheel and an underside of the corresponding distal end of the cross member, each web having a decline relative to the wheel in an inward radial direction for providing support to a palm of a hand of a passenger resulting in ergonomic manual gripping of the wheel proximate to the cross member.
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Specification