Steering wheel protective cushion

• US 5,201,543 A
• Filed: 01/13/1992
• Issued: 04/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harold L. Hull, William A. Young
• Original Assignee: Harold L. Hull, William A. Young
• Inventors: Hull, Harold L., Young, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US07/820,137
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728, 280/729, 280/731, 280/750, 280/751, 280/753, 74/552
• US Class Current: 280/750
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0293 Additional pads or cushions in vehicle compartments, e.g. movably mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01 Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/02 Occupant safety arrangements or fittings , e.g. crash pads seat belts with crash pads B60R22/14; removable children's seats having a front guard or barrier B60N2/2839
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/16 Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags protective garments with automatically inflatable shock-absorbing means A41D13/018; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2087 Rim grips and covers

Abstract

A cushion or pillow adapted to the steering wheel of a vehicle which is removably attached and which allows the driver safe access to the steering wheel and does not impair his frontal vision or his use of the horn and still allows a view of the instrument panel. Herein shown is a preferred embodiment which is inflatable and deflatable and a second embodiment which does not require inflation with either embodiment being used in conjunction with/without a prior art "air bag".

Claims

1. An inflatable cushion adapted to be mounted on the steering wheel of a vehicle comprising;

a bladder, said bladder having air-inflating and deflating means, said cushion having removable mounting means to attach said cushion to said steering wheel, said cushion having at least one cavity and said cavity having a transparent covering.

2. The inflatable cushion of claim 1 in which said means to removably mount said cushion to said steering wheel is an elastic steering wheel cover, said cover being suitably affixed to said cushion, said cover being capable of surrounding and capturing said steering wheel.

3. The inflatable cushion of claim 2 in which said elastic steering wheel cover is of sufficient strength to hold said cushion in place on said steering wheel, yet is weak enough to be forceably released from said steering wheel when used in conjunction with an explosive air bag when said air bag is deployed.

4. The inflatable cushion of claim 1 in which said means to removably mount said cushion to said steering wheel is multiple straps with fastening means of the loop and pile variety.