Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The present invention relates to a steering wheel
cover and more particularly to a cover adapted to heat the
steering wheel of a vehicle.
The steering wheel of a vehicle such as an
automobile or truck can, in a Northern climate during the
winter months, become sufficiently cold so as to cause
discomfort to the driver of the vehicle. Even after the
vehicle itself has warmed up, the steering wheel usually
remains cold to the touch necessitating the wearing of
gloves by the driver.
It has been proposed previously in the art to
provide means for heating the ~teering wheels of vehicles and
a variety of different proposals ranging from the use of hot
air, heated coolants and electric resistance heating have
been advanced. Some of these proposals have included the
provision of heating elements as an integral part of the
steering wheel; however, automotive manufacturers have not
incorporated this provision into their automobiles. While
there have also been a number of proposals which can be used
as a retrofit device, these have not gained any wide
acceptance by the public.
It is an object of the present invention to provide
a steering wheel cover assembly which incorporates heating
means and which assembly can be adapted to many different
types of vehicles and steering wheels.
Generally, according to one aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a steering wheel cover assembly,
the steering wheel cover assembly comprising a cover member,
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an electrical resistance heating means associated with
the cover member, a first structural element securable to a
rotatable portion of a steerinq wheel assembly, electrical
contact means associated with the first structural element, a
second structural element securable to a non-rotatable
portion of the vehicle approximate the steering wheel, the
second element also having electrical contact means
associated therewith, both of the first and second structural
elements being juxtaposed to each other such that the
electrical contact means of the first element and the
electrical contact means of the second element are in
electrical communication when the first element rotates,
electrical power supply means associated with the second
structural element, thermostat means for sensing and
controlling the temperature of the cover member, and switch
means for turning electric power to the heating means on and
off.
In greater detail, the assembly of the present
invention includes a steering wheel cover member having an
exterior surface which may be formed of many different
suitable materials providing the desired feel and esthetic
appeal. Many different natural and/or synthetic materials or
combinations thereof which are known in the art have been
employed with conventional wheel covers and can be used with
the present invention. Desirably, the material is of a
somewhat resilient nature and has a suitable feel.
The steering wheel cover is preferably of a multi-
layer construction and as discussed hereinbelow, includes
resistance type heating means. The combination of different
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la~rers of material having different properties such as both
electrical and thermal insulating properties is well known in
the art and many such structures may be utilized.
Associated with the cover material is an electrical
heating means of the electrical resistance type. The means
of incorporation of the heating means and the particular type
used may be selected from those well known to those
knowledgeable in the art. Many different types are
commerciallly available. The cover member may be secured to
the wheel by any suitable and conventional attachment means
including draw strings, removable and/or permanent fasteners,
etc.
The asqembly will include means for regulating the
heat supplied to the cover member such that when a desired
température is obtained, the unit will cease heating. There
are many different types of thermostats which can be
utilized; one of the easiest and most inexpensive would be
the use of a bi-metal thermostat which is located on the
steering wheel rim or close thereto in order to sense the
temperature of the rim.
A switch device is also preferably included in the
assembly and provides means for turning the assembly on
and/or off as desired and/or required. In this respect, the
circuitry is very basic and suitable power leads are supplied
as will be discussed in greater detail with respect to the
preferred embodiment of the invention.
~ he assembly includes first and second structural
elements which permit a continuous supply of power to the
heating means irrespective of the rotational movement of the
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steering wheel.
The first structural element is adapted to be
secured to a rotatable portion of the steering wheel assembly
such that it will rotate with the turning of the steering
wheel. The point of attachment will depend upon the
particular type of steering wheel involved; in a relatively
straightforward arrangement, the first structural element may
be secured to the hub of the steering wheel which is usually
formed integrally with the rim and spoke portions. When this
is not suitable, it may be attached to the steering wheel rim
and spoke themselves. It will be understood that many
suitable forms of attachment may be utilized; in the simplest
form, the first structural element is formed in two parts
(two halves) to provide for ready assembly of the same about
the hub of the steering wheel assembly. Mechanical fastening
means such as bolts or clips may be provided. Alternatively,
straps or a more permanent securement by adhesive means or
mechanical fasteners may be utilized.
The first structural element, being secured to the
rotatable portion of the steering wheel assembly, will
provide electrical communication to the electric heating
means of the steering wheel cover. The first structural
element will also provide electrical contact means for
receiving power from the second structural element. In this
respect a conventional 12 volt direct current heating which
draws power from the vehicle's electric circuit may be
employed.
The second structural element is designed to be
juxtaposed to the first structural element and is adapted to
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be fixed to a non rotatable portion of either the steering
wheel assembly or a surrounding portion of the vehicle. The
second structural element is designed to provide electrical
contact means which will remain in electrical communication
with the electric contact means of the first structural
element. The arrangement is such that rotatable movement of
the steering wheel and first structural element will permit
electrical contact between the two different electric contact
means at all positions of the steering wheel. To maintain
electrical contact, one of the contact means may be biased or
other spring means may be used. In turn, the electrical
contact means of the second structural element will receive
DC power from a suitable source of the same - it may be
directly wired to one of the vehicle circuits or
alternatively, there may be provision for drawing power from
an accessory outlet such as the cigarette lighter.
Having thus generally described the invention,
reference will be made to the accompanying drawings
illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a steering
wheel having the heated cover assembly according to the
present invention;
Figure la is a view similar to Figure 1 showing
a further embodiment of a heated cover assembly for a
steering wheel;
Figure 2 is a front view of the assembly of
Figure l;
Figure 2a is a front view of the assembly of
Figure la;
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Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the
line 3-3 of Figure 2,
Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the
lines 4-4 of Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a detailed view of the switch portion
indicated by arrow 5 of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a detailed view of that portion of
Figure 2a indicated by arrow 6;
Figure 7 is a detailed view of that portion of
Figure 3 indicated by arrow 7;
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken along the
lines 8-8 of Figure la;
Figure 9 is a detailed view of that portion of
Figure la indicated by arrow 9;
Figure 10 is a sectional view taken the
lines 10-lO of Figure 5;
Figure 11 is a side view of Figure lO;
Figure 12 is a sectional view taken from the right
; side of Figure 6 showing attachment of the cover member;
Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along the
lines 13-13 of Figure 6;
Figure 14 is sectional view taken along the
line 14-14 of Figure 8;
Figure 15 is a perspective view showing assembly of
the structural components of the embodiment of Figure 1;
Figure 16 is a perspective view illustrating
assembly of the structural components of the embodiment of
Figure la;
:: Figure 17 is a detailed view illustrating a portion
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of the cover assembly and heating element thereof;
Figure 18 is a sectional view taken along the
line 18-18 of Figure 17; and
Figure 19 is an electrical schematic of the
arrangement.
Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and by
reference characters thereto, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a
first embodiment of a steering wheel cover assembly. As
shown, there is provided a conventional automobile steering
wheel 14 mounted on a post 12 extending through dash 10.
Steering wheel 14 includes a rim portion 16 having spokes 18
extending to a hub 20 in a substantially conventional
arrangement. The steering wheel cover 22 is placed over the
rim 16 as illustrated.
The device or assembly includes a first structural
element which is generally designated by reference numeral 24
and a second structural element 26. These elements are
illustrated in greater detail in Figure 15 and reference may
be had thereto. As shown, first structural element 24 is
~; 20 made up of two similar halves 28 and 30; apertures 42 permit
the securing together of halves 28 and 30 by means of machine
screws 44. Each half is similar and reference will be made
to half 30 which is formed to have an inside wall 32 and an
; outside wall 34 with a top wall 35 extending therebetween.
on outside wall 34 there is provided an inwardly extending
flange 36. A pair of contact strips 38 extend continuously
along the interior surface of top wall 35 with a pair of
electrical wires or leads 46 extending therefrom.
Second structural element 26 is also shown in
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Figure 15 and like first structural element 24, is composed
of two similar halves 48 and 50. Halves 48 and 50 are
secured together by machine screws 52. An outwardly
extending flange 54 extends circumferentially outwardly to
engage in a locking relationship with flange 36 of first
structural element 24 such that the two structural elements
24 and 26 may be secured together in an operational position.
As may be best seen in Figure 4, a pair of contact elements
56 are provided for maintaining electrical contact or
communication with contact strips 38 of first structural
element 24. In this respect, contact elements 56 are urged
into physical contact with contact strips 38 by means of
springs 60 which are retained in position by retaining
members 62. Electrical wires 63 maintain electrical
communication between contact elements 56 and a portion of
retaining member 62 such that when a plug member 64 is
inserted, electrical current can flow from current carrying
wires 67 to prongs 65 of plug 64 through electrical wires 63
and contact elements 56 to contact strips 38 which are in
electrical communication with wires or leads 46.
The cover member 22, as may be best seen in
Figures 3 and 7, includes an inner layer 70 of an electrical
resistance heating material with insulating layers 68 on
either side of heating layer 70. Outer layers 66 provide the
finishing material and may be similar to dissimilar - they
may be selected from synthetic material or a material such as
leather.
As may be seen in Figures 2, 5, 10 and 11, there is
provided an on/off switch 74 along with a suitable light 76
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to indicate when the unit is heating. A thermostat 78 (shown
in Figure 19) senses the temperature proximate the rim and
controls the current being supplied to the resistant heating
layer 70. Thermostat 78 may be of any conventional type
such as a bi-metal thermostatic device.
For installation, the cover member is provided with
an elastic member 82 retained by the outer layers 66 as shown
in Figure 7. The portion housing the switch 74 and light 76
may be retained by means of straps 84 which may have a hook
and eye type of attachment such as that which is marketed
under the trademark "VELCR0".
A modified arrangement is illustrated in
Figures la, 2a, 6, 8, 9, 12, 14 and 16 and reference will be
made thereto. Similar reference numbers in the hundreds are
employed for similar type components.
This embodiment is useful wherein the steering
; column is does not provide sufficient room for the previously
described embodiment such as the case of certain tilt
steering wheels and other similar arrangements.
In this embodiment, steering wheel 114 which is
- attached to post 112 has a rim portion 116 and spokes 118
connected to a hub 120. Cover member 122 is placed about rim
116.
As shown in Figure 16, there is provided a first
structural element 124 which includes halves 128 and 130.
Inside walls 132 and 134 are connected by a top wall 135; an
inwardly extending flange 136 is provided on outside
wall 134. A pair of electric contact strips 138 are provided
on the inside surface of top wall 135. Halves 128 and 130
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are connected by machine scrPws 144 and a pair of leads 146
extend from contact strips 138.
Second structural element 126 mates with first
structural element 124 as may best be seen in Figures 8 and
16 and is retained by a pair of flanges 136 and 137. In a
manner similar to the first embodiment, there are provided a
pair of contact elements 156 which are retained in position
by springs 160 with electric wires 163 extending therefrom.
As may be seen from Figure 16, second structural
element 126 has a pair of mounting brackets 186 extending
outwardly therefrom; mounting bracket 186 includes a ball
188 which fits within a socket formed within bracket 192.
Bracket 192 is secured to a portion of the steering wheel
assembly by screws 194 as shown in Pigure 14. Thus, the ball
and socket arrangement shown provides for movement of the
steering wheel and associated components.
In this embodiment, straps 184 are provided for
securing the cover member 122 to the steering wheel.
As may be seen from Figures 17 and 19, wires 67 are
in electrical communication with heating layer 70 which
includes a thermostatic element 78 and a fuse member F.
Power is supplied from the vehicle battery B.
It will be seen that the above arrangements provide
for a heated steering wheel cover assembly which is both easy
to install and easy to take off when not required - i.e.
during the summer season. It can easily be installed by the
vehicle owner and does not require special tools. There is
no need to remove the steering wheel to permit installation
of the same.
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It will be understood that the above described
embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that
changes and modifications may be made thereto without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
