Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Vehicle body ornament
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-11
2001-12-11
Jones, Deborah (Department: 1775)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Vehicle body ornament
C428S004000, C428S011000, C428S063000, C428S101000, C428S102000, C428S131000, C428S193000, C074S491000, C074S551800, C074S551900, C074S552000, C074S558000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06329029
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to vehicle accessories and more specifically, but not by way of limitation, to hand grip material used for covering one end of vehicle gear shift, a steering wheel and other items handled inside a vehicle.
(b) Discussion of Prior Art
Heretofore, there have been a variety of different types of gear shift knobs and steering wheel covers. Various steering wheel covers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 280,314 to Strongwater and U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,382 to Snooks, U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,776 to Strongwater, U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,713 to Park, U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,318 to Franz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,298 to Chang, U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,799 to Lin and U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,154 to Jacinth.
None of the prior art steering wheel covers and gear shift knobs provide the unique features and structure of the subject invention as described herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the subject invention to provide a vehicle interior hand grip material which is unique in appearance, different in feel and texture when attached to the end of a gear shift lever arm, around a portion of a steering wheel and on other items that are operated by hand inside the vehicle.
Another advantage of the subject invention is the hand grip material can be quickly attached to the end of a gear shift and removed when desired. Also, the hand grip material can be quickly attached to a portion of a steering wheel and removed when desired. Further, the hand grip material may be an OEM item from the vehicle manufacture or it may be supplied as an after market product.
Yet another object of the invention is by the nature of the elastomeric material used in the hand grip material, the grip on the gear shift and steering wheel is greatly improved for maintaining control of the vehicle during its operation.
The hand grip material includes a plurality of flexible “string like” elastomeric members extending outwardly from an attachment member. The attachment member may be a thin wire wrapped around a portion of the elastomeric members and tightened thereon. Also, the attachment member may be a liner with one end of the elastomeric members attached to the liner. The wire attachment member can be secured around a gear shift threaded housing threaded on an end of the vehicle's gear shift lever arm. Also, the wire attachment member can be attached to other hand operated items inside the vehicle. Further, the steering wheel liner attachment member can be placed around a portion of the vehicle's steering wheel. The elastomeric members are designed to give an operator of a vehicle a unique experience in feel, appearance and texture when gripping the elastomeric members by hand. Also, the uses of the hand grip material on the gear shift and the steering wheel provide for greater control of the vehicle when operating the gear shift lever arm and steering wheel.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those familiar with the different types of vehicle accessories when reviewing the following detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the claims, it being understood that changes in the embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 414722 (2000-10-01), Hamowy
patent: 2121963 (1938-06-01), Goit
patent: 2506197 (1950-05-01), Burger
patent: 5134008 (1992-07-01), Alm
Mock Greg K.
Robins James F.
Bahta Abraham
Crabtree Edwin H.
Jones Deborah
Maugolis Donald W.
Pizzaro Ramon L.
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