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Patent US4662238A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4662238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Steering wheel for automotive vehicles and process for its manufacture
Assignee: Petri AG
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Filing: 1984-12-18
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Granted: 1987-05-05
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Expires: 2004-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A steering wheel for automotive vehicles is produced by a process of die casting light weight component parts to eliminate the need for extensive welding and self-supporting parts of heavy mass. The component parts comprise a steering wheel hub member and a steering wheel rim member joined together by a plurality of spokes connected to the rim through a sleeve connector member. The rim and spoke members may be of tubular light weight metal.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregor Zeller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:07
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49481; Y10T29/49488; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/34; Y10T403/341; Y10T403/345; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A steering wheel for automotive vehicles comprising: a steering wheel hub member suitable for connection with a steering column; a tubular steering wheel rim fixedly cooperating with said steering wheel hub through a plurality of spokes and having at least two end portions, said end portions adjoining one another to form an annular shape of said rim by means of a double nipple flange portion, said nipples displaying circumferentially closed grooves defining a fluted surface; said end portions of said steering wheel rim member display matching external grooves thereby forming an internal fluted surface matching the fluted surface defined on said nipples; a connector sleeve member for each spoke, fixedly joining said spoke to said rim and fixedly joining said adjoining end portions; wherein said connector sleeve member forms an immovable positive joint with the ends of said steering wheel rim member by internally disposed circumferential grooves defining a fluted surface matching the grooves disposed on the rim member end portions for molding around the fluted surfaces of said end portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A steering wheel for automotive vehicles comprising: a steering wheel hub member suitable for connection with a steering column; a tubular steering wheel rim fixedly cooperating with said steering wheel hub through a plurality of spokes and having at least two end portions, said end portions adjoining one another to form an annular shape of said rim by means of a double nipple flange portion, said nipples displaying circumferentially closed grooves defining a fluted surface; said end portions of said steering wheel rim member display matching external grooves thereby forming an internal fluted surface matching the fluted surface defined on said nipples; a connector sleeve member for each spoke, fixedly joining said spoke to said rim and fixedly joining said adjoining end portions; wherein said connector sleeve member forms an immovable positive joint with the ends of said steering wheel rim member by internally disposed circumferential grooves defining a fluted surface matching the grooves disposed on the rim member end portions for molding around the fluted surfaces of said end portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The steering wheel of claim 1 wherein said connector sleeve member comprises a spoke receiving portion extending in a direction radially toward said steering wheel hub and a rim member receiving portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The steering wheel of claim 1 wherein said spokes and rim member comprise different materials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The steering wheel of claim 1 wherein said rim member is comprised of a plurality of tubular sections adjoining together by a plurality of connector sleeve members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The steering wheel of claim 2 wherein the external grooves on each adjoining end portion of said steering wheel rim member communicates with said rim member receiving portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The steering wheel of claim 5 wherein an annular flange member of said double nipple flange portion closes an annulus formed by said rim member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The steering wheel of claim 6 wherein said annular flange member comprises a disk-like shape with a diameter larger than the diameter of said steering wheel rim member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-04 | 1990-11-03 | 1991-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-04 | 1994-11-03 | 1995-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-04 | 1998-11-03 | 1999-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |