U.S. patent application number 09/355382 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-14 for steering wheel with at least one covering element.
This patent application is currently assigned to FOLEY & LARDNER. Invention is credited to EMENETH, JAKOB, HOCK, KARL-WALTER, ROSENBERGER, BENNO.
Application Number | 20020029650 09/355382 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8035711 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020029650 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
EMENETH, JAKOB ; et
al. |
March 14, 2002 |
STEERING WHEEL WITH AT LEAST ONE COVERING ELEMENT
Abstract
The invention relates to a steering wheel with at least one
covering element, which is preferably affixed above an insert of
the steering wheel rim (3). According to the invention, at least
one mechanical connecting element (11), in particular a clip-type
connecting part, is placed between the steering wheel (1) and the
covering element (5, 6).
Inventors: |
EMENETH, JAKOB; (GOLDBACH,
DE) ; ROSENBERGER, BENNO; (MOMBRIS, DE) ;
HOCK, KARL-WALTER; (MOMBRIS, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER
Washington Harbour
3000 K Street, N.W. Suite 500
Washington
DC
20007-5109
US
|
Assignee: |
FOLEY & LARDNER
|
Family ID: |
8035711 |
Appl. No.: |
09/355382 |
Filed: |
July 26, 1999 |
PCT Filed: |
January 29, 1998 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE98/00321 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
74/552 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 74/2087 20150115;
B62D 1/06 20130101; Y10T 74/20876 20150115; Y10T 74/20864 20150115;
Y10T 74/20834 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
74/552 |
International
Class: |
B62D 001/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 29, 1997 |
DE |
297 02 241.5 |
Claims
1. Steering wheel having at least one covering part which is
preferably fixed above an insert of the steering wheel rim wherein
at least one clip-like mechanical connecting element (11, 23) is
provided between the steering wheel (1) and the covering part (5,
6) characterised in that a recess (14) is associated with the
clip-like connecting element (11, 23) outside of the steering wheel
rim insert (3) on the covering part (5, 6) and the clip-like
connecting element (11, 23) can be pressed into the recess.
2. Steering wheel according to claim 1 characterised in that clips
(11) are fixed on the insert (3) of the steering wheel rim and that
recesses (14) are associated on the covering part (5, 6) with the
clips (11) so that the clips (11) can be pressed therein.
3. Steering wheel according to claim 2 characterised in that the
clips (11) are formed so that they engage partially round the
steering wheel rim insert (3) and that they have in the area
associated with the recesses (14) on the covering part (5, 6)
sections (15, 16) which are bent at least partially outwards.
4. Steering wheel according to claim 3 characterised in that the
bent-up sections (15, 16) have points (17, 18) running symmetrical
relative to each other.
5. Steering wheel according to at least one of the preceding claims
characterised in that the clips (11) have in the lower part
outwardly bent down ends (12, 13).
6. Steering wheel according to at least one of the preceding claims
characterised in that the mechanical connecting elements (11)
extend into the lower part of the steering wheel casing (4) and/or
this engages at the top at least in part round the mechanical
connecting elements (11).
7. Steering wheel according to at least one of the preceding claims
characterised in that at least one adhesive spot is provided
between the covering part (5, 6) and the steering wheel (1).
8. Steering wheel according to at least one of claims 1 and 5 to 7
characterised in that the clip-like connecting part (23) is mounted
next to the steering wheel rim insert (3) and that the covering
part (5, 6) has at least one clasp (26) engaging over the clip-like
connecting part (23).
9. Steering wheel according to claim 8 characterised in that the
clip-like connecting part (23) is mounted on a centring plate (22)
which is fixed in the steering wheel casing (4) and/or on the
skeleton ring (3).
10. Steering wheel according to claim 8 or 9 characterised in that
the clip-like connecting part (23) has on one side sections (24,
25) bent up and acting opposite the centring plate (22) and on the
other side further sections (15, 16) bent up and acting opposite
the clasp (26).
11. Steering wheel according to at least one of claims 8 to 10
characterised in that the clasp (26) is deformable in the area of
the clip-like connecting part (23) and/or has openings for the
engagement of the bent-up sections (15, 16) and that the centring
plate (22) has openings for the engagement of the bent-up sections
(24, 25).
12. Steering wheel according to at least one of claims 8 to 11
characterised in that the clasp (26) is made of wood.
13. Steering wheel according to claim 12 characterised in that the
clasp has an insert (27) of plastics for engagement of the
clip-like connecting part (23).
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a steering wheel having at least
one covering element according to the preamble of claim 1.
[0002] Steering wheels generally comprise a steering wheel skeleton
having a plastics, e.g. polyurethane casing. In addition covering
parts of a shape-stable material are frequently stuck onto the
steering wheel. These covering parts have a decorative function and
often have for example a visible wooden surface.
[0003] The drawback with these covering parts is that the
production of the adhesive connection is time-consuming since the
steering wheel has to remain in an adhesive device until the
adhesive has hardened. Since the steering wheel is exposed to
vibrations it cannot be ruled out that the adhesive connection will
become loose.
[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a rapid
secure connection between the covering part and the steering
wheel.
[0005] According to the invention this is achieved through the
features of claim 1.
[0006] With a steering wheel having at least one covering part
according to the invention at least one mechanical connecting
element is provided between the steering wheel the covering part. A
clip-like connecting element is preferably provided.
[0007] This type of connection has the advantage that the
connecting part can be connected to the steering wheel by
short-term pressure. In addition in this case an adhesive joint can
also be provided between the covering part and the steering wheel.
The mechanical connecting elements ensure the necessary pressure on
the covering part so that an adhesive device is no longer
necessary.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment it is proposed that clips are
fixed on the insert of the steering wheel rim and that recesses
associated with the clips are provided on the covering part so that
the clips can be pressed therein. The clips are preferably designed
so that they engage partially round the steering wheel rim insert
and that they have in the area associated with the recesses on the
covering part sections which are bent outwards at least in part.
These bent sections increase the secure hold of the clips in the
recesses of the covering part.
[0009] A further design proposes that the bent sections have points
running symmetrical relative to each other.
[0010] The mechanical connecting elements preferably extend into
the lower part of the steering wheel casing and/or this engages at
the top round the clips at least in part. To this end the
connecting elements are preferably fitted onto the insert prior to
fitting the casing on the steering wheel skeleton so that they are
fixedly connected to the casing when it is fitted.
[0011] It is further expedient if the clips have outwardly bent
ends in the lower part. An even better adhesion in the casing can
thereby be achieved.
[0012] With a further embodiment the clip-like connecting part is
mounted next to the steering wheel rim insert and the covering part
has at least one clasp which engages over the clip-like connecting
part. Since the clip-like connecting part is mounted next to the
skeleton ring it is also readily possible to fix the covering part
on the steering wheel which is only to run on one side on the
steering wheel.
[0013] In a preferred design of this embodiment the clip-like
connecting part is mounted on a centring plate which is fixed in
the steering wheel casing and/or on the skeleton ring. The
clip-like connecting part thereby has on the one side bent-up
sections acting opposite the centring plate and on the other side
further bent-up sections acting opposite the clasp.
[0014] The clasp is deformable in the area of the clip-like
connecting part and/or has openings for engaging the bent-up
sections. The centring plate likewise has openings for engagement
of the bent-up sections.
[0015] In one embodiment the clasp is made of wood and has an
insert of plastics for engaging the clip-like connecting part.
[0016] The invention will now be explained with reference to the
embodiments shown in the drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a steering wheel;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a sectional view II-II through the steering wheel
according to FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows on an enlarged scale a detail E of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 4 shows on an enlarged scale the upper area of FIG.
3;
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view through a clip;
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a clip;
[0023] FIG. 7 shows a section II-II through a second embodiment of
the steering wheel according to FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 8 shows on an enlarged scale a detail E according to
FIG. 7.
[0025] A steering wheel 1, has as the essential constituent parts,
a skeleton with spokes 2 and a steering rim insert 3 which are
enclosed by a casing 4 of in particular PUR foam. The steering
wheel is provided on its top side with covering parts 5, 6. These
do not extend over the entire top side of the steering wheel but
are arranged as segments wherein the covering part 5 is longer than
the covering part 6. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 the covering
parts consist of a pressure-cast aluminium support 7 on which a
wooden coating is applied. This coating comprises an under veneer 8
and a top veneer 9 which is sealed by a polyester layer 10.
[0026] Several clips 11 are arranged on the steering rim insert 3.
The number of clips depends on the length of the covering part.
Thus the covering part 5 is allocated four clips and the covering
part 6 three clips (not shown). FIGS. 3 to 5 show that the clips
have in the area of the steering rim insert 3 a cross-section
matching the circular cross-section so that they partially engage
round the steering rim insert and are anchored on same. When they
are fitted onto the steering rim insert the clips are elastically
bent up and then fit close against the steering rim insert. The
clips have in the lower part outwardly bent ends 12, 13. These
project into the casing 4 and ensure an extra firm seat for the
clips. In addition the casing 4 engages round the clips 11 by a
section 4a.
[0027] Above the steering rim insert 3 each clip is adapted in its
cross-section to the cross-section of each recess 14 in the support
7 into which it is pressed. It can be seen in particular from FIGS.
5 and 6 that the clips have in this area sections 15, 16 which are
bent out at least in part. The bent sections have tips 17, 18
running symmetrical relative to each other. The sections thus
formed ensure in addition a fixed connection between the support 7
and the clips 11.
[0028] In addition to the mechanical fastening the support 7 and
the casing 4 can be stuck together. A space 19 is thereby filled
with adhesive. It can be seen from FIG. 3 that the casing 4 is
narrower than the covering part 5 so that it can still be encased
by a further layer, e.g. with a circumferential leather cover (not
shown) so that the casing 4 then has the same width as the covering
part 5.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment having a cover 5 mounted on one
side. It can be seen from the enlarged view of the steering wheel
rim in FIG. 8 that the casing 4 is covered with soft foam 20 which
is trimmed with leather 21. In the view of the steering wheel rim a
free standing centring plate 22 is arranged on the left next to the
steering wheel rim insert 3 and is fixed in the casing 4. This
centring plate serves to fix the covering part 5. For this clips 23
are provided on the centring plate 22 which have bent sections 24,
25 by means of which they are held on the centring plate 22.
[0030] The covering part 5 consists of a clasp 26 which is provided
with a plastics insert 27. This is associated with the bent
sections 15, 16 of the clips 23 which during fitting of the clasp
26 press into same or engage in openings (not shown) of the
plastics insert 27 whereby the covering part 5 is fixed on the
steering wheel. The covering part is generally to have a wooden
structure. The clasp 26 is therefore trimmed with an under veneer
28 and a top veneer 29 which is sealed by a polyester layer (not
shown). It is however also possible to make the clasp from a wood
whose surface is to be visible and to treat the surface so that no
veneer is necessary.
* * * * *