Steering wheel steering aid

• US 4,728,939 A
• Filed: 01/29/1987
• Issued: 03/01/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tony U. Otani
• Original Assignee: Tony U. Otani
• Inventors: Otani, Tony U.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/008,294
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 340/576, 340/575, 340/665, 200/52 R, 200/DIG. 2, 2/1, 280/771, 180/316, 180/313, 180/272, 74/515 R, 74/552
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 200/02 Body attached switches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20546 Knee operated

Abstract

An aid to steering of a vehicle having directional control defined by rotation of a steering wheel consists of a wedge shaped member strapped to an operator'"'"'s thigh, having a pliable, frictional surface material for mating with the outside rim of the steering wheel. An alternative embodiment provides for a sleep alarm to sound when biasing between the invention and the steering wheel slackens.

Claims

1. An aid to steering of a vehicle having directional control defined by rotation of a steering wheel, comprising:

a main body having a lower section curved for fitting over a thigh of a driver seated in said vehicle and an upper section having a pliable, frictional surface for mating with a conventional steering wheel rim of said vehicle, said main body being sized to allow said rim mating to occur as desired by said driver when said lower section is attached to said thigh; and

means for attaching said lower section to said thigh.

2. The invention of claim 1, including a sleep alarm, comprising:

a sensor switch located on said main body for sensing biasing of said upper section against said steering wheel rim, having an electrical status responsive to said biasing;

a control switch to activate the sleep alarm;

a sonic device to sound said alarm in response to the electrical status of said sensor switch;

an electrical circuit for electrically connecting said switches and said sonic device; and

means for connecting said electrical circuit to a source of electrical power.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching comprises at least one set of straps which depend from said lower section and are long enough to encircle said driver'"'"'s thigh, each of which being releasably connected together.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching comprises at least one set of spring biased straps which depend from said lower section having a gap therebetween so as to allow insertion of said driver'"'"'s thigh and thereupon clamp on to said thigh by action of said spring biasing.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said pliable, frictional surface is urethane rubber.

6. An aid to steering of a vehicle having directional control defined by rotation of a steering wheel, comprising:

a wedge shaped and tapered main body having a lower section curved for fitting over a thigh of a driver seated in said vehicle and an upper section having a pliable, frictional surface curved for mating with a conventional steering wheel rim of said vehicle, said main body being sized to allow said rim mating to occur as desired by said driver when said lower section is attached to said thigh; and

means for attaching said lower section to said thigh.

7. The invention of claim 6, including a sleep alarm, comprising:

a sensor switch located between said upper section and said lower section for sensing biasing of said upper section against said steering wheel rim, having an electrical status responsive to said biasing;

a control switch attached to said main body for activating the sleep alarm;

a sonic device attached to said main body for sounding said alarm in response to the electrical status of said sensor switch;

an electrical circuit for electrically connecting said switches and said sonic device; and

means for connecting said electrical circuit to a source of electrical power.

8. The invention of claim 6, wherein said means for attaching comprises at least one set of straps which depend from said lower section and are long enough to encircle said driver'"'"'s thigh, each of which being releasably connected together.

9. The invention of claim 6, wherein said means for attaching comprises at least one set of spring biased straps which depend from said lower section having a gap therebetween so as to allow insertion of said driver'"'"'s thigh and thereupon clamp on to said thigh by action of said spring biasing.

10. Method for steering of a vehicle having directional control defined by rotation of a steering wheel, comprising:

providing a means for a third contact point between a driver and the steering wheel using said driver'"'"'s thigh; and

steering said vehicle using at least one hand on said wheel while simultaneously rotating said thigh until said third contact point means biases against said steering wheel.