Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-24
2001-01-16
Green, Mary Ann (Department: 3622)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Elements
C280S777000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173627
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering wheel for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a steering wheel having a cover.
A conventional steering wheel has an annular steering grip, spokes extending radially inward from the steering grip, and a pad located at the central portion of the steering grip. The spokes are connected to a boss, which is further connected to a steering shaft.
The steering shaft extends through a resin back cover, which is located below the spokes and the pad. A typical steering wheel is shown in FIG.
11
. As shown in the drawing, a spoke
51
(only one shown) includes a spoke core
52
and an encrustment
53
. The spoke
51
shown is the spoke located closest to the driver's position. The encrustment
53
is formed of urethane foam or the like and covers the spoke core
52
. The encrustment
53
has a depression
53
a
to receive a back cover
54
. The back cover
54
contacts the depression
53
a
such that the outer surface of the encrustment
53
is flush to the outer surface of the back cover
54
. This improves the appearance of the steering wheel.
The back cover
54
may be fastened to the steering wheel using bolts or the like. Alternatively, as shown in
FIG. 11
, the back cover
54
may also be fastened to the steering wheel by engaging a hook
55
, which extends upward from the back cover
54
, with the spoke
51
.
A guide
56
extends along the rim of the back cover
54
in correspondence with the spoke
51
. The guide
56
faces the wall of the encrustment depression
53
a
and has a flat surface for engagement with the depression
53
a
. To attach the back cover
54
to the steering wheel, the guide
56
is moved along the surface of the associated encrustments
53
such that the cover
54
is guided to the designated position with respect to the steering wheel. This structure facilitates the attachment of the back cover
54
.
In such steering wheel, application of a force acting from above or from the driver's position on the steering grip
57
is transmitted to the back cover
54
by way of the spoke
51
. The force acting on the spoke
51
is then transmitted to the guide
56
, which is in planar contact with the encrustment
53
. As a result, the guide
56
hinders further movement of the spoke
51
and the steering grip
57
.
Furthermore, the hook
55
, which engages the spoke
51
, may also hinder relative movement between the back cover
54
and the steering grip
57
. This lack of relative movement described above may cause injury to a driver in an accident.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to address the deficiencies in the prior art, the present inventors propose that the steering grip
57
and the spoke
51
(the spoke closest to the driver) be movable relative to the back cover
54
. Relative movement between the spoke
51
and the back cover
54
would absorb a force applied to the steering grip
57
.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a steering wheel having a cover that absorbs forces applied to the steering wheel.
To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a steering wheel including an annular steering grip, a spoke extending radially inward from the steering grip, and a back cover for covering the lower portion of the steering wheel. The back cover has a rim located adjacent to the spoke. A guide is located at the vicinity of the back cover rim for guiding the back cover to a predetermined attaching position when attaching the back cover to the steering wheel. The guide extends in the longitudinal direction of the spoke and contacts the spoke. The application of pressure on the guide by the spoke separates the guide from the spoke and permits relative movement between the back cover and the spoke.
In another aspect of the present invention, a steering wheel includes an annular steering grip, a spoke extending radially inward from the steering grip, a back cover for covering the lower portion of the steering wheel, and a pair of hooks projecting from the back cover and facing each other at each side of the spoke. The spoke is held between the hooks to attach the back cover to the steering wheel. A releasing member is provided for each hook. The releasing members separate the hooks from each other to release the hooks from the spoke and permit relative movement between the back cover and the spoke when the spoke is pressed against the releasing member.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a steering wheel includes an annular steering grip, a spoke extending radially inward from the steering grip, and a back cover for covering the lower portion of the steering wheel. The back cover includes a bottom wall for covering the spoke from beneath and a pair of side walls extending continuously from the bottom wall to cover the sides of the spoke. A pair of hooks project from the bottom wall and face each other at each side of the spoke. The spoke is held between the hooks to attach the back cover to the steering wheel. A connecting rib is provided for each hook to connect the hook to the associated side wall. The connecting ribs separate the hooks from each other to release the spoke when a force that separates the side walls acts on the back cover.
In another aspect of the present invention, a steering wheel includes an annular steering grip, a spoke extending radially inward from the steering grip, and a back cover for covering the lower portion of the steering wheel. The back cover includes a bottom wall for covering the spoke from beneath and a pair of side walls extending continuously from the bottom wall to cover the sides of the spoke. The bottom wall and side walls each have an edge located adjacent to the spoke. The spoke has a depression for contact with the edges of the bottom wall and side walls. A guide rib is located at the vicinity of the bottom wall rim for guiding the back cover to a predetermined attaching position when attaching the back cover to the steering wheel. The guide rib extends in the longitudinal direction of the spoke and contacts the spoke. The application of pressure on the guide rib by the spoke depression separates the guide rib from the depression and permits relative movement between the back cover and the spoke.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4390193 (1983-06-01), Strahan et al.
patent: 4953423 (1990-09-01), Maeda et al.
patent: 5244230 (1993-09-01), Komiya et al.
patent: 5706707 (1998-01-01), Sanders
patent: 5-193503 (1993-08-01), None
Green Mary Ann
Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP
Toyoda Gosei Co,., Ltd.
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