US4063789A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signalling arrangement for automotive vehicle steering wheels
Assignee: Karl Schmidt GmbH
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Filing: 1976-11-03
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Granted: 1977-12-20
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Expires: 1996-11-03
Abstract
Abstract The hub of a vehicle steering wheel is provided with signaling contacts one of which is connected to a source of electric current through a connector which comprises an upwardly and downwardly movable conductor whose end remote from the contacts is anchored to a solid metal contact finger guided in an insulating sleeve. The insulating sleeve has a cylindrical portion in which the cylindrical shank of the contact finger is guided and defining a clearance around the shank open at an end of the sleeve to accommodate a coil spring which is seated against a shoulder of the sleeve and a head of the shank which bears against a slip ring. The other end of the contact finger, connected to the cable, is a solid body of square cross section guides in a corresponding square cross section passage of the insulating sleeve.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Kreisl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:44
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/0076; B60Q1/0082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A steering wheel connector between a signaling contact arrangement and a slip ring, said connector comprising: a cable connected at one end to said contact arrangement; an insulating sleeve received in the hub of the steering wheel and having one end turned toward said contact arrangement, said sleeve formed with a throughgoing internal passage including a cylindrical portion opening at said one end of said sleeve, a rectangular cross section portion opening at said other end of said sleeve, and a peripheral shoulder between said portions and formed with a circular bore; an upwardly and downwardly movable contact finger slidable in said sleeve, said contact finger having a cylindrical shank guided in said bore and extending through said cylindrical portion out of said sleeve at said other end of said sleeve and formed with a head, a rectangular-section body guide in said rectangular section portion and a connector sleeve formed on said body and secured to the other end of said cable within said insulating sleeve; and a coil spring seated against said shoulder and bearing against said head while surrounding said shank in said cylindrical portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A steering wheel connector between a signaling contact arrangement and a slip ring, said connector comprising: a cable connected at one end to said contact arrangement; an insulating sleeve received in the hub of the steering wheel and having one end turned toward said contact arrangement, said sleeve formed with a throughgoing internal passage including a cylindrical portion opening at said one end of said sleeve, a rectangular cross section portion opening at said other end of said sleeve, and a peripheral shoulder between said portions and formed with a circular bore; an upwardly and downwardly movable contact finger slidable in said sleeve, said contact finger having a cylindrical shank guided in said bore and extending through said cylindrical portion out of said sleeve at said other end of said sleeve and formed with a head, a rectangular-section body guide in said rectangular section portion and a connector sleeve formed on said body and secured to the other end of said cable within said insulating sleeve; and a coil spring seated against said shoulder and bearing against said head while surrounding said shank in said cylindrical portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The connector defined in claim 1 wherein said body is of square section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector defined in claim 2 wherein said contact finger is unitarily formed with said shank and said body has a solid metallic structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector defined in claim 3 wherein said head is threaded into said shank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector defined in claim 4 wherein said connecting sleeve is formed unitarily on said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector defined in claim 5 wherein said connecting sleeve is crimped onto the said other end of said cable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1922493A
Cited
US3712968A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-19 | 1981-06-20 | 1981-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-19 | 1985-06-20 | 1985-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-19 | 1989-06-20 | 1989-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |