# US 5,706,707 A · Steering wheel armature with stabilizers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,706,707 A - Document ID: US5706707A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/677,461 - Filed: 1996-07-02 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1996-07-02 - Assignees: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Fritz Sanders - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706707A ## CPC - B62D 1/04: Hand wheels - Y10T 29/49488: Steering wheel - Y10T 74/20834: Hand wheels - Y10T 74/2087: Rim grips and covers - 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) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A composite steering wheel assembly comprises a molded armature frame including a central hub, a plurality of spokes radiating from the hub, and an annular rim encircling the spokes. An elastomeric material is molded around the spokes and the rim to provide a comfortable grip and aesthetically appealing appearance. The two bottom spokes each include a first stabilizer and a second stabilizer encased within the elastomeric material. The first stabilizer includes left and right fin surfaces extending from opposite lateral sides of the spokes and disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the steering axis. The second stabilizer also includes left and right fin surfaces extending from opposite lateral sides of the spokes, but disposed in a plane generally parallel to the steering axis. The first and second stabilizers prevent sagging and dimples in the elastomeric material resulting from material shrinkage during the elastomeric material solidification process. The first and second stabilizers are molded integrally with the armature frame so that they will not slip out of position or become lost prior to the elastomeric material over molding procedure. Furthermore, the first and second stabilizers provide a consistent feel, i.e., compressibility, in the exaggeratedly wide sections of the elastomeric material covered sections of the steering wheel assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A composite steering wheel assembly comprising: a molded armature frame comprising a central hub, a spoke radiating from said hub, and an annular rim fixedly connected to said spoke and disposed concentrically about said hub; an elastomeric material molded around at least a portion of said spoke; said spoke including a first extending stabilizer integrally molded therewith and encased within said elastomeric material; and a second stabilizer integrally molded with said spoke and extending laterally outwardly therefrom, said elastomeric material having an exterior surface adjacent said first stabilizer, said second stabilizer including left and right fin surfaces disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to said exterior surface, said first and second stabilizers each including an anchor section contiguous with said rim, said spoke including an enlarged fillet contiguous with said rim, said anchor section of said first stabilizer extending integrally from said fillet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric material has an exterior surface adjacent said first stabilizer, said first stabilizer including left and right fin surfaces disposed in a plane generally parallel to said exterior surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said spoke includes at least one bent section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first stabilizer is disposed adjacent said rim and said second stabilizer is disposed adjacent said hub. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second stabilizer includes a nose extending radially outwardly from each of said left and right fin surfaces. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first stabilizer includes a scalloped outer edge. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said spoke being encased within said elastomeric material for preventing distortion due to shrinkage in said elastomeric material during solidification thereof. ### Claim 8 A composite steering wheel assembly comprising: a molded armature frame comprising a central hub, a spoke radiating from said hub, and an annular rim fixedly connected to said spoke and disposed concentrically about said hub; said spoke including at least one fillet contiguous with said rim; an elastomeric material molded around at least a portion of said spoke; said spoke including a first extending stabilizer integrally extending from said fillet and encased within said elastomeric material, and a second extending stabilizer integrally extending from said spoke and encased within said elastomeric material, said first and second stabilizers preventing distortion due to shrinkage in; and said elastomeric material having an exterior surface adjacent said first stabilizer, said first stabilizer including left and right fin surfaces disposed in a plane generally parallel to said exterior surface and said second stabilizer including left and right fin surfaces disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to said exterior surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first and second stabilizers each include an anchor section contiguous said rim. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said first and second stabilizers preventing distortion due to shrinkage in said elastic material during solidification thereof.