US4995637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor vehicle work platform
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-12-20
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Granted: 1991-02-26
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Expires: 2009-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A work platform for mounting on the steering wheel of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The platform has a generally flat underside and a top side which defines a generally flat writing surface. The platform also includes securing means for engaging the outer rounded edge of a steering wheel to mount the work platform on the steering wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 Noboru Muraishi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:19
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N3/00; B60N3/001; B60N3/002; B60N3/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A work platform for mounting on a steering wheel of a motor vehicle wherein the steering wheel has a rounded outer edge and a support surface which generally faces a driver of the moor vehicle, said work platform comprising: a generally rigid base having a flat underside a top side defining a generally flat writing surface and an edge connecting said underside and said top side; and securing means for engaging the rounded outer edge of the steering wheel to mount said work platform on said steering wheel, said securing means including a single elongated member projecting outwardly from said underside adjacent said edge of said work platform, said securing means securing said work platform to the steering wheel when said flat underside of said work platform is located against the support surface of the steering wheel with said elongated member located against the rounded outer edge of the steering wheel at the top of the steering wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A work platform for mounting on a steering wheel of a motor vehicle wherein the steering wheel has a rounded outer edge and a support surface which generally faces a driver of the moor vehicle, said work platform comprising: a generally rigid base having a flat underside a top side defining a generally flat writing surface and an edge connecting said underside and said top side; and securing means for engaging the rounded outer edge of the steering wheel to mount said work platform on said steering wheel, said securing means including a single elongated member projecting outwardly from said underside adjacent said edge of said work platform, said securing means securing said work platform to the steering wheel when said flat underside of said work platform is located against the support surface of the steering wheel with said elongated member located against the rounded outer edge of the steering wheel at the top of the steering wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A work platform as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rigid base has an arcuate edge extending about at least a portion of its periphery, said arcuate edge serving as said securing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
119 words
A work platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said securing means includes an elongated member which is attached to said underside and which projects outwardly from said underside at approximately a right angle, said elongated member defining an inner surface facing inwardly towards the normal axis of said work platform and an outer facing surface facing away from the normal axis of said work platform, said inner surface of said elongated member being sized and configured to rest against the rounded outer edge of said steering wheel to secure said work platform to said steering wheel when said work platform is placed on said steering wheel with said underside located against the support surface of the steering wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A work platform as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said inner surface of said elongated member is concave in shape so that it generally conforms to the shape of the rounded outer-edge of the steering wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A work platform as claimed in claim 1, further comprising ledge means attached to said writing surface for preventing articles from sliding off said writing surface when said work platform is secured to the steering wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A work platform as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said ledge means includes a generally longitudinally extending projection which is attached to said writing surface and which projects outwardly therefrom to prevent articles from sliding off said writing surface when said work platform is secured to the steering wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A work platform as claimed in claim 6 further comprising clip means attached to said writing surface for securing articles thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a motor vehicle, the improvement comprising in combination: a steering wheel supported by at least two support legs which attach to a steering column, said steering wheel having a rounded outer edge and a support surface which generally faces a driver of the motor vehicle; and a work platform having a generally flat and firm underside, a top side defining a generally flat writing surface, and an edge connecting aid underside and said top side with work platform also including securing means for engaging said rounded outer edge of said steering wheel to mount said writing platform on said steering wheel, said securing means including a single elongated member projecting outwardly from said underside adjacent said edge of said work platform, said securing means securing said work platform to the steering wheel when said flat underside of said work platform is located against the support surface of the steering wheel with said elongated member located against the rounded outer edge of the steering wheel at the top of the steering wheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a motor vehicle, the improvement comprising in combination: a steering wheel supported by at least two support legs which attach to a steering column, said steering wheel having a rounded outer edge and a support surface which generally faces a driver of the motor vehicle; and a work platform having a generally flat and firm underside, a top side defining a generally flat writing surface, and an edge connecting aid underside and said top side with work platform also including securing means for engaging said rounded outer edge of said steering wheel to mount said writing platform on said steering wheel, said securing means including a single elongated member projecting outwardly from said underside adjacent said edge of said work platform, said securing means securing said work platform to the steering wheel when said flat underside of said work platform is located against the support surface of the steering wheel with said elongated member located against the rounded outer edge of the steering wheel at the top of the steering wheel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 8 wherein said work platform has an arcuate edge extending about at least a portion of its periphery, said arcuate edge serving as said securing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein: said securing means includes an elongated member which is attached to said underside of said work platform and which projects outwardly from said underside at approximately a right angle, said elongated member defining an inner surface facing inwardly towards the normal axis of said work platform and an outer surface facing away from the normal axis of said platform, said inner surface of said elongated member being sized and configured to rest against said rounded outer edge of said steering wheel to secure said work platform to said steering wheel when said work platform is placed against said steering wheel with said underside lying flat against said support surface of said steering wheel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein: said inner surface of said elongated member is concave in shape to generally conform to the shape of said rounded outer edge of said steering wheel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 8, further comprising ledge means attached to said writing surface of said work platform for preventing articles from sliding off said writing surface when said work platform is mounted on said steering wheel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said ledge means includes a generally longitudinally extending projection which is attached to said work platform and which projects outwardly therefrom to prevent articles from sliding off said writing surface when said work platform is mounted on said steering wheel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 8 further comprising clip means attached to said writing surface of said work platform for securing articles to said writing surface.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of providing a writing surface for a motor vehicle comprising; providing a work platform for mounting on a motor vehicle steering wheel having a rounded outer edge and a support surface which generally faces the drive of the motor vehicle, said work platform including a generally rigid base having a flat underside, a top side defining a flat writing surface and an edge connecting the underside and top side; and securing means for engaging the rounded outer edge of the steering wheel to secure the work platform to the steering wheel, the securing means including a single elongated member projecting outwardly from the underside of the work platform adjacent an edge of the work platform, the elongated member being sized and configured to secure the work platform to the steering wheel when the flat underside surface of the work platform is located against the support surface of the steering wheel and the single elongated member is located against the rounded outer edge of the steering wheel at the top of the steering wheel; securing the work platform to the steering wheel by locating the underside of the work platform against the support surface of the steering wheel with the single elongated member located against the rounded outer edge of the steering wheel at the top of the steering wheel.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of providing a writing surface for a motor vehicle comprising; providing a work platform for mounting on a motor vehicle steering wheel having a rounded outer edge and a support surface which generally faces the drive of the motor vehicle, said work platform including a generally rigid base having a flat underside, a top side defining a flat writing surface and an edge connecting the underside and top side; and securing means for engaging the rounded outer edge of the steering wheel to secure the work platform to the steering wheel, the securing means including a single elongated member projecting outwardly from the underside of the work platform adjacent an edge of the work platform, the elongated member being sized and configured to secure the work platform to the steering wheel when the flat underside surface of the work platform is located against the support surface of the steering wheel and the single elongated member is located against the rounded outer edge of the steering wheel at the top of the steering wheel; securing the work platform to the steering wheel by locating the underside of the work platform against the support surface of the steering wheel with the single elongated member located against the rounded outer edge of the steering wheel at the top of the steering wheel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 further comprising placing an article of writing paper against the writing surface of the writing platform; and writing on the writing paper located on the writing surface of the writing platform.
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) | 1994-02-25 | 1994-08-27 | 1995-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-25 | 1998-08-27 | 1999-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-25 | 2002-08-27 | 2003-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |