Device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon

• US 5,385,283 A
• Filed: 08/10/1993
• Issued: 01/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yoshihiko Shioda
• Original Assignee: Yoshihiko Shioda
• Inventors: Shioda, Yoshihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee S.
• Application Number:
  US08/104,669
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 224/276, 224/277, 248/447.1, 248/447.2, 248/441.1, 248/451
• US Class Current: 224/276
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/005 mounted on the steering wheel

Abstract

A clipboard attachment for a steering wheel that can be used when the steering wheel is being manipulated. The clipboard attachment has a clipboard and a housing to which the clipboard is attached. The housing securely attaches to the inner rim of the steering wheel. Opposed telescoping securing portions partially enclosed within the housing extend outward and are spring biased to engage the inner rim of the steering wheel. Mating hook and loop fasteners releasably attach U-shaped ends of the securing portions to the steering wheel.

Claims

1. A device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon, comprising:

a relatively rigid housing with opposite ends;

securing portions at opposite ends of said housing for attaching said housing to an inner rim of the steering wheel, said securing portions being telescoped within said housing; and

means for engaging attachment of said securing portions to the inner rim of the steering wheel.

2. A device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon according to claim 1, wherein said engaging means includes spring biasing means within said housing for outwardly biasing said securing portions into attachment with the inner rim of the steering wheel.

3. A device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon according to claim 1, wherein said securing portions have outwardly facing U-shaped ends for receiving therein the inner rim of the steering wheel.

4. A device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon according to claim 1, wherein said engaging means comprises means releasably engageable with the outer rim of the steering wheel for releasably securing said securing portions to the inner rim of the steering wheel.

5. A device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon according to claim 4, wherein said releasably engageable means comprises a strip of flexible material secured to said securing portions and having one end releasably engageable with said securing portion by mating hook and loop fastener means.

6. A device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon according to claim 1, further comprising:

a flat support member; and

means for attaching said flat support member to said housing.

7. A device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon according to claim 6, wherein said attaching means comprises mating hook and loop fasteners on said housing and said flat support member.

8. A device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon according to claim 6, wherein said flat support member is disposed within the peripheral confines of the steering wheel.

9. A device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon according to claim 6, wherein said flat support member is a clipboard.

10. A device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon according to claim 6, wherein said attaching means comprises:

a downwardly facing slotted member attached to said flat support member; and

receiving means associated with said housing for receiving said slotted member for securing said flat support member to said housing.

11. A device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon according to claim 10, wherein said housing is formed to tightly fit within said slotted member of said clipboard.

12. A device attached to a steering wheel for supporting objects thereon, comprising:

a relatively rigid housing with opposite ends;

securing portions telescoped within said housing and disposed at opposite ends of said housing and having outwardly facing U-shaped ends for receiving therein an inner rim of the steering wheel to attach said housing to the inner rim of the steering wheel independent of the force of gravity;

a spring biasing means within said housing for outwardly biasing said securing portions into attachment with the inner rim of the steering wheel;

a strip of flexible material secured to each of said securing portions and having an end releasably engageable with said securing portion by mating hook and loop fastener means and being releasably engageable with an outer rim of the steering wheel for releasably securing said securing portions to the inner rim of the steering wheel;

a clipboard; and

means for attachment of said clipboard to said housing.