BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a segment of the mating of a first shell and second shell for covering a steering wheel according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first shell of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the second shell of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a steering wheel according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for covering a steering wheel in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another method for covering a steering wheel in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical or similar components in the various views, FIG. 1 illustrates a steering wheel covering 9 in accordance with the present invention. Covering 9 is provided to cover an outer surface of a steering wheel 30. As discussed in greater detail below, covering 9 includes a first shell 10 and a second shell 38.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, first shell 10 is provided to cover a first portion of an outer surface of a steering wheel. First shell 10 may comprise a polymer. In an exemplary embodiment, first shell 10 may comprise ABS (copolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene), poly-carbonate ABS, nylon, or polypropylene. It should be understood, however, that material composition and method of manufacture of first shell 10 may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. First shell 10 may be applied to a steering wheel using an adhesive that is conventional in the art or through other conventional processes.
First shell 10 has a first surface 12 and a second surface 20. First surface 12 is an exposed outer surface. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, first surface 12 comprises an arc that subtends generally more than about 180°. Second surface 20 is an inner surface configured to engage second shell 38 and to correspond with the outer surface of a steering wheel in order to ensure proper placement of first shell 10 on the desired portion of the steering wheel and to prevent movement of first shell 10 after placement. Referring now to FIG. 1, second surface 20 comprises straight surfaces 14 and angled surfaces 16 that converge to form notches 18. Second surface 20 further comprises projecting surfaces 19, generally straight surfaces 22, and formed surface 24. Projecting surfaces 19 extend from the ends of angled surfaces 16 and comprise edges of projections that are complementary to notches 18. Generally straight surfaces 22 extend from projecting surfaces 19. Formed surface 24 is disposed between generally straight surfaces 22.
As best viewed in FIG. 2, formed surface 24 may include a radially extending rib 26. In another exemplary embodiment, formed surface 24 may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending ribs 26. Rib 26 is provided to correspond with locating features in a first portion of the outer surface of a steering wheel 30. Referring now to FIG. 4, first portion 32 of the outer surface of steering wheel 30 is shown. Outer surface 32 includes locating features that correspond with formed surface 24 of first shell 10. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the locating features is a radially extending groove 34. Groove 34 is configured to receive radially extending rib 26 of first shell 10. In another exemplary embodiment, outer surface 32 of steering wheel 30 may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending grooves 34 that are configured to receive a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending ribs 26.
As best viewed in FIG. 2, formed surface 24 may also include a circumferentially extending rib 28. In an exemplary embodiment, circumferentially extending rib 28 may be centered on formed surface 24. In another exemplary embodiment, formed surface 24 may include a plurality of circumferentially extending ribs 28. Rib 28 is provided to correspond with locating features in a first portion of the outer surface of a steering wheel. Referring again to FIG. 4, first portion 32 of the outer surface of steering wheel 30 is shown, including locating features that correspond with formed surface 24 of first shell 10. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the locating features is a circumferentially extending groove 36 that is configured to receive circumferentially extending rib 28 of first shell 10. In another exemplary embodiment, outer surface 32 of steering wheel 30 may include a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves 36 that are configured to receive a plurality of circumferentially extending ribs 28.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, second shell 38 is provided to cover a second portion of an outer surface of a steering wheel. Second shell 38 may comprise a polymer. In an exemplary embodiment, second shell 38 may comprise ABS, poly-carbonate ABS, nylon, or polypropylene. It should be understood, however, that material composition and method of manufacture of second shell 38 may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Second shell 10 may be applied to a steering wheel using an adhesive that is conventional in the art or through other conventional processes.
Second shell 38 has a first surface 40 and a second surface 46. First surface 40 is an exposed outer surface. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, first surface 40 comprises an arc that subtends generally less than about 180°. Second surface 46 is an inner surface configured to engage first shell 10 and to correspond with the outer surface of a steering wheel in order to ensure proper placement of second shell 38 on the desired portion of the steering wheel and to prevent movement of second shell 38 after placement. Referring now to FIG. 1, second surface 46 comprises straight surfaces 42 and angled surfaces 44 that converge to form teeth 45 that correspond to notches 18 of first shell 10. Teeth 45 are configured to correspond to notches 18 for mating first shell 10 and second shell 38 in order to prevent splaying of the ends of first shell 10 when first shell 10 is disposed upon a steering wheel 30. In an exemplary embodiment, first shell 10 and second shell 38 may be secured together using an adhesive conventional in the art or through other conventional processes. Second surface 40 further comprises a formed surface 48 disposed between teeth 45.
As best viewed in FIG. 3, formed surface 48 may include a radially extending rib 50. In another exemplary embodiment, formed surface 48 may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending ribs 50. Rib 50 is provided to correspond with locating features in a second portion of the outer surface of a steering wheel. Referring now to FIG. 4, a second portion of the outer surface of steering wheel 30 is opposite first portion 32. The second portion of the outer surface of steering wheel 30 includes locating features that correspond with formed surface 48 of second shell 38. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the locating features is a radially extending groove (not shown) similar to groove 34. The radially extending groove (not shown) is configured to receive radially extending rib 50 of second shell 38. In another exemplary embodiment, the second portion of the outer surface of steering wheel 30 may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending grooves (not shown) similar to grooves 34 that are configured to receive a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending ribs 50.
As best viewed in FIG. 3, formed surface 48 may also include a circumferentially extending rib 52. In an exemplary embodiment, circumferentially extending rib 52 may be centered on formed surface 48. In another exemplary embodiment, formed surface 48 may include a plurality of circumferentially extending ribs 52. Rib 52 is provided to correspond with locating features in a second portion of the outer surface of a steering wheel. Referring again to FIG. 4, a second portion of the outer surface of steering wheel 30 that is opposite first portion 32 includes locating features that correspond with formed surface 48 of second shell 10. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the locating features is a circumferentially extending groove (not shown) similar to groove 36 that is configured to receive circumferentially extending rib 52 of second shell 38. In another exemplary embodiment, the second portion of the outer surface of steering wheel 30 may include a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves (not shown) similar to groove 36 that are configured to receive a plurality of circumferentially extending ribs 52.
Referring again to FIG. 3, second shell 38 is disposed adjacent to first shell 10 when placed on steering wheel 30. Outer surface 12 of first shell 10 and outer surface 40 of second shell 38 together comprise an arc subtending approximately 360° and cover an entire outer surface of steering wheel 30. In an exemplary embodiment, only outer surface 12 of first shell 10 may be visible in at least one view of wheel 30 to which shells 10 and 38 have been applied. For example, only first shell 10 may be visible in a driver's line of sight as he or she operates steering wheel 30 in a motor vehicle. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the seam or mating of first shell 10 and second shell 38 is not visible in at least one view of wheel 30 to which shells 10 and 38 have been applied. For example, the seam or meeting of first shell 10 and second shell 38 may not be visible in a driver's line of sight as he or she operates steering wheel 30 in a motor vehicle.
Before first shell 10 or second shell 38 are applied to a steering wheel 30, the first shell 10 or second shell 38 may be decorated with paint, hydrographic ink coating, wood veneer, leather, or an in-mold film application. Although these decorating processes are listed in detail, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous other decorating or ornamentation processes may be utilized and remain within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Although second shell 38 is described in detail, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, that only first shell 10 may be secured to a steering wheel 30 in another exemplary embodiment.
A method for covering a steering wheel in accordance with the present invention includes the following steps, and a flow chart is illustrated in FIG. 5. First, a steering wheel is provided in step 100. Locating features, such as radially extending and circumferentially extending ribs, are formed in the outer surface of the wheel in step 110. A first shell is provided for covering a first portion of an outer surface of the wheel in step 120. An inner surface of the first shell is formed to correspond with the locating features in an outer surface of the wheel in step 130. For example, the inner surface of the first shell may include radially extending and circumferentially extending ribs that correspond with grooves in the outer surface of the wheel. The first shell is then secured to the wheel in step 140. A determination must be made as to whether a second shell is desired to cover the wheel in step 150. If no second shell is desired, then no further steps are necessary. However, if a second shell is desired, the method for covering a steering wheel may further include providing a second shell for covering a second portion of an outer surface of the wheel in step 160. An inner surface of the second shell is formed to correspond with the locating features in an outer surface of the wheel in step 170. For example, the inner surface of the second shell may include radially extending and circumferentially extending ribs that correspond with grooves in the outer surface of the wheel. The second shell is then secured to the wheel adjacent to the first shell in step 180.
Another method for covering a steering wheel in accordance with the present invention includes the following steps, and a flow chart is illustrated in FIG. 6. A first shell with an outer surface comprising an arc that subtends generally more than about 180° is provided in step 200. An inner surface of the first shell includes generally straight surfaces extending from the edges of the first shell. The first shell is then secured to the wheel in step 210. A determination must be made as to whether a second shell is desired to cover the wheel in step 220. If no second shell is desired, then no further steps are necessary. However, if a second shell is desired, the method for covering a steering wheel may further include providing a second shell with an outer surface comprising an arc that subtends generally less than about 180° in step 230. An outer surface of the second shell and an outer surface of the first shell combine to comprise an arc that subtends generally about 360°. The second shell may then be secured to the wheel adjacent to the first shell in step 240. In this exemplary method, the first shell may include notches proximate to the edges of the first shell, and the second shell may include teeth corresponding to the notches for mating the first and second shells and preventing the edges of the first shell from splaying after the first and second shell are secured to the wheel.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to one or more particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20080060470
