United States Patent
US Patent 6799488: Thumb-accessible control housing for steering…
US 6799488 · granted 2004-10-05
Abstract
A control housing body (10) containing a cavity (12) of sufficient size to allow entry and movement by a human thumb, and capable of housing a number of controls (14, 16). Body (10) is inserted under a covering grip (33) that is connected in line with a surface grip (32) of a rotating steering device (31). Dial control (14) is provided to set a scalar variable such as vehicular speed at a constant number. A thumb rest (13) and a control guard (17) inhibit the thumb from slipping downwards and unintentionally activating a contracting control (16) that can be actuated by the contracting movement of a human thumb. A sliding cover (40) can be alternately positioned over cavity (12) or inside retraction slot (46). A pivoting pin (22) and pivoting rotator (24) allow the control housing body to rotate around the axis between two pivot holes (26) and (28). Signal-conducting wires (35) pass through rotator (24), through right pivot hole (28) and then through surface grip (32), spoke (34), and steering column (36), transmitting signals to other devices such as brakes, throttles and cruise controls. When control housing is not in use, magnetized members (38a) and (38b) cause a rotation to hide surface grip (32) under covering grip (33).
| Patent Number | 6799488 |
|---|---|
| Title | Thumb-accessible control housing for steering device |
| Filed | 2002-06-12 |
| Granted | 2004-10-05 |
| Inventor(s) | Snell; David Ralph |
| Assignee | Snell; David R. |
| Number of Claims | 73 |
Abstract
A control housing body (10) containing a cavity (12) of sufficient size to allow entry and movement by a human thumb, and capable of housing a number of controls (14, 16). Body (10) is inserted under a covering grip (33) that is connected in line with a surface grip (32) of a rotating steering device (31). Dial control (14) is provided to set a scalar variable such as vehicular speed at a constant number. A thumb rest (13) and a control guard (17) inhibit the thumb from slipping downwards and unintentionally activating a contracting control (16) that can be actuated by the contracting movement of a human thumb. A sliding cover (40) can be alternately positioned over cavity (12) or inside retraction slot (46). A pivoting pin (22) and pivoting rotator (24) allow the control housing body to rotate around the axis between two pivot holes (26) and (28). Signal-conducting wires (35) pass through rotator (24), through right pivot hole (28) and then through surface grip (32), spoke (34), and steering column (36), transmitting signals to other devices such as brakes, throttles and cruise controls. When control housing is not in use, magnetized members (38a) and (38b) cause a rotation to hide surface grip (32) under covering grip (33).
Claim 1
A rotating control housing located on a steering wheel for a motor vehicle, comprising: (a) a body, to be situated in an approximately circular surface grip of a steering wheel; (b)a cavity in said body, with adequate space in said cavity for placement of at least one control, the actuating surface of said control being predominantly contained within said cavity; (c) at least one joining means for joining said body to said surfacegrip, said joining means allowing rotation of said body around an axis between said surface grip and said body through said at least one joining means, with said body interposed between abutments of said surface grip; (d) a conductor conduit in saidbody through which a signal-conducting wire can pass from said body; whereby said at least one control can transmit signals into said steering wheel.
Claims
73 totalA rotating control housing located on a steering wheel for a motor vehicle, comprising: (a) a body, to be situated in an approximately circular surface grip of a steering wheel; (b)a cavity in said body, with adequate space in said cavity for placement of at least one control, the actuating surface of said control being predominantly contained within said cavity; (c) at least one joining means for joining said body to said surfacegrip, said joining means allowing rotation of said body around an axis between said surface grip and said body through said at least one joining means, with said body interposed between abutments of said surface grip; (d) a conductor conduit in saidbody through which a signal-conducting wire can pass from said body; whereby said at least one control can transmit signals into said steering wheel.