Switch pod assembly
First Claim
1. A switch pod assembly for mounting to a steering column in a vehicle, said switch pod assembly comprising:
- a generally cylindrical hub portion adapted to be fixedly connected to the steering column adjacent a steering wheel of the vehicle;
first and second arms that extend radially from an outer surface of said hub portion on opposite sides of said hub portion, each of said first and second arms having a first end connected to said hub portion and an opposite second end;
first and second switch pod modules extending from said second ends of said first and second arms, respectively, in a direction generally transverse to said first and second arms, each of said switch pod modules having a curved outer surface that is generally concentric with the steering wheel, said outer surface having a radius that is smaller than a radius of the steering wheel, said outer surfaces of said first and second switch pod modules being positioned proximate said steering wheel; and
a plurality of switches supported by said first and second switch pod modules, said switches including actuators positioned along said curved outer surfaces of said first and second switch pod modules.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A switch pod assembly (10) includes a hub portion (30) fixedly connected to a steering column (12) adjacent a steering wheel (20). First and second arms (40, 50) extend radially from opposite sides of an outer surface (32) of the hub portion (30). First and second switch pod modules (60, 70) extend transversely from second ends (44, 54) of the first and second arms (40, 50), respectively. Each switch pod module (60, 70) has a curved outer surface (62, 72) that has a radius generally concentric with and smaller than a radius of the steering wheel (20). The outer surfaces (62, 72) are positioned proximate the steering wheel (20). The first and second switch pod modules (60, 70) support a plurality of switches (80), including actuators (112) positioned along the curved outer surfaces (62, 72) of the first and second switch pod modules.
26 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A switch pod assembly for mounting to a steering column in a vehicle, said switch pod assembly comprising:
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a generally cylindrical hub portion adapted to be fixedly connected to the steering column adjacent a steering wheel of the vehicle;
first and second arms that extend radially from an outer surface of said hub portion on opposite sides of said hub portion, each of said first and second arms having a first end connected to said hub portion and an opposite second end;
first and second switch pod modules extending from said second ends of said first and second arms, respectively, in a direction generally transverse to said first and second arms, each of said switch pod modules having a curved outer surface that is generally concentric with the steering wheel, said outer surface having a radius that is smaller than a radius of the steering wheel, said outer surfaces of said first and second switch pod modules being positioned proximate said steering wheel; and
a plurality of switches supported by said first and second switch pod modules, said switches including actuators positioned along said curved outer surfaces of said first and second switch pod modules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. Apparatus comprising:
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a vehicle steering column;
a support arm having a first end fixed to said steering column, said support arm extending in a lateral direction from said steering column;
a turn signal switch connected to a second end of said support arm, opposite said first end, said turn signal switch including a paddle pivotable about an axis to actuate said turn signal switch from a center position to radially opposite first and second positions;
a latch mechanism supported on said steering column; and
a linkage extending through said arm and connecting said paddle to said latch mechanism, said latch mechanism latching said paddle in said first and second positions when said paddle is rotated to said first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A switch pod assembly for mounting to a steering column in a vehicle, said switch pod assembly comprising:
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a hub portion adapted to be fixedly connected to the steering column adjacent a steering wheel of the vehicle;
first and second arms that extend from said hub portion, each of said first and second arms having a first end connected to said hub portion and an opposite second end;
first and second switch pod modules extending from said second ends of said first and second arms, respectively, in a direction generally transverse to said first and second arms, each of said switch pod modules having a curved outer surface having a radius, said radius of said curved outer surface being generally concentric with a radius of the steering wheel, said outer surfaces of said first and second switch pod modules being positioned proximate said steering wheel; and
a plurality of switches supported by said first and second switch pod modules, said switches including actuators positioned along said curved outer surfaces of said first and second switch pod modules and a paddle supported by at least one of said first and second switch pod modules, said paddle extending laterally from said curved outer surface of said at least one of said first and second switch pod modules, said paddle being pivotable about an axis to selectively actuate said paddle to one of a plurality of positions.
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Specification