Electric heating – Heating devices – Combined with diverse-type art device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-11
2001-07-31
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Heating devices
Combined with diverse-type art device
C219S519000, C439S015000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06268588
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a steering wheel heater assembly and a method for heating a steering wheel and, more particularly, to an assembly which selectively heats a vehicular steering wheel by the use of a relatively small amount of electrical current and without undesirably causing noise.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is desirable to selectively heat a vehicular steering wheel in order to provide comfort to the driver. Present technology steering wheel heating assemblies utilize relatively large amounts of electrical currents to heat an element residing within the steering wheel. Existing clockspring assemblies cannot generally conduct this relatively large amount of electrical current. This approach thereby requires additional and relatively costly wiring within the passenger compartment. One attempt to reduce the need for such additional wiring requires the use of relatively costly and relatively noisy “slip ring” assemblies.
It is therefore desirable to selectively heat a vehicular steering wheel by the use of an existing and conventional clockspring wiring assembly and without undesirably and appreciably creating noise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a first object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for heating a vehicular steering wheel by the use of a conventional clockspring wiring assembly.
It is a second object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for heating a vehicular steering wheel by the use of a conventional clockspring wiring assembly and without producing undesirable noise.
It is a third object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for heating a vehicular steering wheel by the use of a conventional clockspring wiring assembly and by providing a relatively large amount of voltage and a relatively small amount of electrical current to a heating element which resides upon and/or within the steering wheel.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a steering wheel heating assembly is provided. The assembly includes a heating element which is coupled to the steering wheel; and a voltage generation assembly which is coupled to the heating element and which produces and communicates a relatively large amount of voltage to the heating element, effective to selectively heat the steering wheel.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for heating a steering wheel is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a heating element; coupling the heating element to the steering wheel; providing a relatively large amount of voltage; and selectively communicating the relatively large amount of voltage to the heating element.
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and by reference to the following drawings.
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Foust Susan Lynn
Hazebrouck Laura Viviana
Langer Peter
Dahbour Fadi H.
Ford Global Tech.
Ford Global Tech., Inc.
Walberg Teresa
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