Two-piece steering wheel back-cover for improved safety performance
AssigneeAutoliv ASP, Inc.
InventorsRichard Matsu, Delia Dumitrecu, Mark Ressler, Anthony Gloriosa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A new type of steering wheel cover is designed for use with a steering wheel that has one or more spokes. The cover will include an upper portion and a lower portion. Generally, the lower portion is the region or portion of the steering wheel that is positioned at the junction between the spoke and the steering wheel rim. The upper portion and the lower portion are separated by at least one split line. The split line is designed such that during a crash or accident, the upper portion and the lower portion will collapse into each other and absorb some of the energy of the impact.
Claims13
A steering wheel cover for use in a steering wheel system with a steering wheel having a spoke and a steering column, the cover comprising:
- an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portions being separated by a split line disposed proximate a bending axis of the steering wheel, the split line is substantially transverse to the spoke, the cover houses at least a portion of and is disposed on the back of the steering wheel and contacts the steering column.
A vehicle steering wheel system having a steering column comprising:
- a steering wheel having at least one spoke;
- and
- a steering wheel cover comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portions being separated by a split line disposed proximate a bending axis of the steering wheel, the split line is positioned substantially transverse to the spoke, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion will collapse into one another during impact on the steering wheel, wherein the cover houses at least a portion of and is disposed on the back of the steering wheel and contacts the steering column.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.