Steering wheel spring assembly

Abstract

An improved mechanical linkage may be used in devices such as a non-powered PC gaming steering wheel controller. In one embodiment, the linkage is part of a steering wheel assembly. The assembly provides a steering wheel shaft having a flange extending radially from the shaft. A first coil spring and a second coil spring are attached to the flange to return the flange and the steering wheel shaft to a neutral position. The coil springs typically are mounted between a base of the steering wheel assembly and the flange portion of the shaft. The flange is sized to facilitate rotation of the steering wheel shaft without causing the coil springs to bend about the shaft. The coil spring preferably has an elongate portion that is offset from the centerline of the coil spring. This offset distance preferably allows the shaft to rotate to at least 120° in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction from its neutral position without causing the elongate portion of the spring to bend. Eliminating bending in the spring improves the lifespan of the spring.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.