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US 11,230,315 B2Granted
Foldable steering wheel
AssigneeJoyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
InventorsKurt Kastelic, Karl Kiefer, Adorian Marc, Erick Staszak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various implementations include a steering wheel assembly. The assembly includes a hub, a steering grip, and a hinging mechanism. The hub is configured to be rotatably coupled to a steering column such that the hub is rotatable about a central axis of the steering column. The steering grip has one or more spokes. The hinging mechanism couples the one or more spokes to the hub such that the steering grip is rotatable relative to the hub about a rotational axis from a first position to a second position. The rotational axis is perpendicular to the central axis of the steering column.
Claims15
A steering wheel assembly, the assembly comprising:
- a hub configured to be rotatably coupled to a steering column such that the hub is rotatable about a central axis of the steering column;
- a steering grip having one or more spokes;
- and
- a hinging mechanism coupling the one or more spokes to the hub such that the steering grip is rotatable relative to the hub about a rotational axis from a first position to a second position, wherein the rotational axis is perpendicular to the central axis of the steering column,
- wherein the hinging mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion about the rotational axis, wherein the first portion is fixedly coupled to the hub and the second portion is fixedly coupled to the one or more spokes,
- wherein the hinging mechanism includes a locking mechanism actuatable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the locking mechanism prevents the steering grip from rotating relative to the hub when the locking mechanism is in the engaged position,
- wherein the locking mechanism includes one or more openings defined by either the first portion or the second portion, and a protrusion removably engageable with one of the one or more openings to prevent the steering grip from rotating when the locking mechanism is in the engaged position, and
- wherein the one or more openings include a first opening and a second opening, wherein the steering grip is in the first position when the protrusion is engaged with the first opening, and wherein the steering grip is in the second position when the protrusion is engaged with the second opening.
5 more elements
A steering wheel assembly, the assembly comprising:
- a hub configured to be rotatably coupled to a steering column such that the hub is rotatable about a central axis of the steering column;
- a steering grip having one or more spokes;
- and
- a hinging mechanism coupling the one or more spokes to the hub such that the steering grip is rotatable relative to the hub about a rotational axis from a first position to a second position, wherein the rotational axis is perpendicular to the central axis of the steering column,
- wherein the hinging mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion about the rotational axis, wherein the first portion is fixedly coupled to the hub and the second portion is fixedly coupled to the one or more spokes,
- wherein the hinging mechanism includes a locking mechanism actuatable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the locking mechanism prevents the steering grip from rotating relative to the hub when the locking mechanism is in the engaged position,
- wherein the locking mechanism includes one or more openings defined by either the first portion or the second portion, and a protrusion removably engageable with one of the one or more openings to prevent the steering grip from rotating when the locking mechanism is in the engaged position, and
- wherein the locking mechanism includes a handlebar and the protrusion extends from the handlebar, wherein the handlebar is rotatable to actuate the locking mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
5 more elements
A steering wheel assembly, the assembly comprising:
- a hub configured to be rotatably coupled to a steering column such that the hub is rotatable about a central axis of the steering column;
- a steering grip having one or more spokes;
- and
- a hinging mechanism coupling the one or more spokes to the hub such that the steering grip is rotatable relative to the hub about a rotational axis from a first position to a second position, wherein the rotational axis is perpendicular to the central axis of the steering column,
- wherein the hinging mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion about the rotational axis, wherein the first portion is fixedly coupled to the hub and the second portion is fixedly coupled to the one or more spokes, and
- wherein the hinging mechanism includes at least two bumpers made of a resilient material, wherein a first of the at least two bumpers is positioned such that the second portion of the hinging mechanism abuts and compresses the first bumper when the steering grip is in the first position, and a second of the at least two bumpers is positioned such that the second portion of the hinging mechanism abuts and compresses the second bumper when the steering grip is in the second position.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.