# US 10,308,271 B2 · Steering wheel cover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,308,271 B2 - Document ID: US10308271B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/160,285 - Filed: 2016-05-20 - Published: 2016-12-01 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-01 - Assignees: Auto-Grip LLC - Applicants: Auto-Grip LLC - Inventors: Grant M. Simmons - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308271B2 ## CPC - B62D 1/06: Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers (B62D1/11 takes precedence) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A steering wheel cover is provided. The steering wheel cover is attachable to steering wheels for a variety of vehicles including, but not limited to, all-terrain vehicles (for example, side by side all-terrain vehicles), automobiles, boats, and golf carts. The steering wheel cover may include one or more resiliently-deformable regions configured to increase a user's grip strength, for example. The resiliently-deformable regions may include resiliently-deformable members, such as gel cushions or pads, that resiliently deform under pressure applied by a user and return to their original shape when the pressure is no longer applied by the user. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering wheel cover, comprising: a base layer defining a toroid, the base layer having first and second inner circumferential edges spaced laterally apart from each other to define an opening for receiving a steering wheel; multiple resilient members spaced circumferentially apart from one another along an outer surface of the base layer, each resilient member wrapping around the outer surface of the base layer from the first inner circumferential edge to the second inner circumferential edge of the base layer; an outer layer covering the multiple resilient members and wrapping around the first and second inner circumferential edges of the base layer; a first inner layer located between the base layer and the resilient members; and a second inner layer located between the first inner layer and the resilient members, wherein the second inner layer permits the resilient members to move relative to the first inner layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steering wheel cover of claim 1, wherein each resilient member is formed of a gel material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The steering wheel cover of claim 1, wherein each resilient member is attached to the base layer with a first line of attachment located adjacent to the first inner circumferential edge and a second line of attachment located adjacent to the second inner circumferential edge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The steering wheel cover of claim 1, wherein each resilient member has longitudinal edge portions that taper inwardly toward the first and second inner circumferential edges of the base layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The steering wheel cover of claim 1, wherein each resilient member has end portions that taper inwardly toward the base layer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The steering wheel cover of claim 1, wherein a radial thickness of the resilient members is greater than a radial thickness of the base layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The steering wheel cover of claim 1, wherein the first inner layer extends around substantially the entire outer surface of the base layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The steering wheel cover of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate outer layer located between the resilient members and the outer layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The steering wheel cover of claim 8, wherein the first inner layer and the intermediate outer layer have smaller radial thicknesses than the resilient members. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The steering wheel cover of claim 1, wherein each resilient member forms part of a resilient region of the steering wheel cover. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The steering wheel cover of claim 10, wherein each resilient region includes a first arc length defined at a first radius of curvature and a second arc length defined at a second radius of curvature that is less than the first radius of curvature, and wherein the first arc length is longer than a second arc length. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The steering wheel cover of claim 10, wherein the resilient regions are spaced apart from one another by less-deformable regions of the steering wheel cover. ### Claim 13 A steering wheel cover for a vehicle, comprising: a base layer; two or more resilient gel cushions attached to the base layer for use as an exercise device, the two or more resilient gel cushions spaced circumferentially apart from one another along the base layer; an outer layer covering the two or more resilient gel cushions; and a foam pad located between the outer layer and the two or more resilient gel cushions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The steering wheel cover of claim 13, further comprising a polyurethane leather backing located between the base layer and the one or more resilient gel cushions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The steering wheel cover of claim 14, further comprising a layer of a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate located between the polyurethane leather backing and the one or more resilient gel cushions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The steering wheel cover of claim 13, wherein the base layer is formed as a singular body with a generally annular shape that at least partially surrounds an outer periphery of a steering wheel to secure the steering wheel cover to the steering wheel without fasteners. ### Claim 17 A method of manufacturing a steering wheel cover, comprising: positioning multiple resilient members around an outer surface of a base layer defining a toroid, wherein the resilient members are spaced circumferentially apart from one another along the outer surface of the base layer, wherein the base layer includes first and second inner circumferential edges spaced laterally apart from each other to define an opening for receiving a steering wheel; wrapping an outer layer covering around the multiple resilient members and around the first and second inner circumferential edges of the base layer; positioning a first inner layer between the base layer and the resilient members; positioning a second inner layer between the first inner layer and the resilient members, the second inner layer permitting the resilient members to move relative to the first inner layer; and attaching the resilient members and the outer layer covering to the base layer along lines of attachment located adjacent the first and second inner circumferential edges of the base layer such that each resilient member wraps around the outer surface of the base layer from the first inner circumferential edge to the second inner circumferential edge.