STOWABLE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY
First Claim
1. A steering assembly movable between a deployed position and a stowed position in an instrument panel of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
- a mounting sled assembly configured to mount to a structural portion of the vehicle;
a movable sled assembly operably coupled to the mounting sled assembly and movable relative thereto, the movable sled assembly movable between a sled stowed position where the movable sled assembly is disposed within the instrument panel, and a sled deployed position where the movable sled assembly is extended away from the instrument panel toward a rear of the vehicle; and
a handle assembly operably coupled to the movable sled assembly and configured to move between a handle stowed position where the handle assembly is at least partially retracted within the movable sled assembly, and a handle deployed position where at least a portion of the handle assembly extends outward from the movable sled assembly for a driver to steer the vehicle,wherein the handle assembly collapses into the movable sled assembly and the movable sled assembly with the handle assembly collapsed therein retracts into the mounting sled assembly in the instrument panel as the steering assembly moves from the deployed position to the stowed position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A steering assembly movable between a deployed position and a stowed position in an instrument panel of a vehicle includes a mounting sled assembly configured to mount to a structural portion of the vehicle, a movable sled assembly operably coupled to the mounting sled assembly and movable relative thereto, the movable sled assembly movable between a retracted position where the movable sled assembly is disposed within the instrument panel, and a deployed position where the movable sled assembly is extended away from the instrument panel toward a rear of the vehicle, and a handle assembly configured to move between a stowed position where the handle assembly is at least partially retracted within the movable sled assembly, and a deployed position where at least a portion of the handle assembly extends outward from the movable sled assembly for a driver to manipulate and steer the vehicle.
35 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A steering assembly movable between a deployed position and a stowed position in an instrument panel of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
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a mounting sled assembly configured to mount to a structural portion of the vehicle; a movable sled assembly operably coupled to the mounting sled assembly and movable relative thereto, the movable sled assembly movable between a sled stowed position where the movable sled assembly is disposed within the instrument panel, and a sled deployed position where the movable sled assembly is extended away from the instrument panel toward a rear of the vehicle; and a handle assembly operably coupled to the movable sled assembly and configured to move between a handle stowed position where the handle assembly is at least partially retracted within the movable sled assembly, and a handle deployed position where at least a portion of the handle assembly extends outward from the movable sled assembly for a driver to steer the vehicle, wherein the handle assembly collapses into the movable sled assembly and the movable sled assembly with the handle assembly collapsed therein retracts into the mounting sled assembly in the instrument panel as the steering assembly moves from the deployed position to the stowed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification