Vehicle security system with improved steering wheel

• US 4,961,331 A
• Filed: 03/29/1989
• Issued: 10/09/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Winner International Royalty LLC
• Original Assignee: James E. Winner
• Inventors: Winner, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US07/330,051
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 74/558, 74/552, 70/207, 70/209, 70/238, 70/416, 70/417
• US Class Current: 70/209
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/0221 restraining means joining the steering wheel with another part of the car, e.g. pedals
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/04 Hand wheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5765 Rotary or swinging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5894 Plural point
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7921 Armoring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2087 Rim grips and covers

Abstract

A motor vehicle security system prevents unauthorized removal of a foot pedal-steering wheel lock by means of structural reinforcement of the steering wheel to prevent destructive severing of the wheel rim which would enable removal of the lock. A cut-resistant steel cable is embedded in the steering wheel rim to enhance the resistance of the wheel to severing.

Claims

1. In a vehicle security system of the type which utilizes a mechanical anti-theft locking device, secured, at least in part, to the steering wheel rim of the vehicle'"'"'s steering wheel, the improvement comprising:

a steering wheel and steering wheel rim including a non-metallic outer hoop containing a circular metal support ring and means for reinforcing said steering wheel against destructive severing, said reinforcing means including a steel cable embedded in said non-metallic outer hoop, said steel cable being disposed in a helical configuration wrapped around said metal support ring.

2. An improved vehicular steering wheel especially adapted for use in a vehicle security system of the type which employs a mechanical, anti-theft device secured to a portion of the steering wheel rim of said steering wheel, said steering wheel comprising:

a non-metallic, form sustaining curved steering wheel rim, a metal support ring embedded in said rim for strengthening said rim in a yieldable, flexible manner, at least one spoke having one end secured to sad metal support ring and an opposite end secured to a radially inwardly positioned hub of said steering wheel, said metal support ring having an adjoining section secured to said one end of said spoke and a non-adjoining metal support ring section defined to include that section of said metal support ring adjacent to and unattached to said one spoke end, and means adjacent to and in contact with said non-adjoining metal support ring section to provide said non-adjoining support ring section with an enhanced degree of resistance to severing while not adversely affecting the flexibility of said steering wheel rim, said means including flexible steel strands positioned in circumferentially extending continuous contact along said non-adjoining metal support ring section.

3. The vehicular security system of claim 2 wherein said means includes a plurality of strands of steel cable positioned within and extending along said metal support ring.

4. A vehicular security system as defined in claim 2 wherein said means includes a steel cable wrapped around and along said non-adjoining metal support ring section.

5. The vehicular security system of claim 4 wherein said cable has opposite free ends and anchor means embedded in said spoke for anchoring the ends of said steel cable.

6. An improved vehicular steering wheel especially adapted for use in a vehicle security system of the type which employs a mechanical, anti-theft device secured to a portion of the steering wheel rim of said steering wheel, said steering wheel comprising:

a non-metallic, form sustaining curved steering wheel rim, a metal support ring embedded in said rim for strengthening said rim in a yieldable, flexible manner, at least one spoke having one end secured to said metal support ring and an opposite end secured to a radially inwardly positioned hub of said steering wheel, said metal support ring having an adjoining section secured to said one end of said spoke and a non-adjoining metal support ring section defined to include that section of said metal support ring adjacent and unattached to said one spoke end, and means adjacent to and in contact with said non-adjoining metal support ring section to provide said non-adjoining support ring section with an enhanced degree of resistance to severing while not adversely affecting the flexibility of said steering wheel rim, said means including flexible steel strands positioned in circumferentially extending continuous contact along said non-adjoining metal support ring section and specifically including a plurality of steel strands woven into a mesh, said mesh wrapped about said non-adjoining metal support ring section.