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US4728939A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Steering wheel steering aid

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-01-29
•
Granted: 1988-03-01
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Expires: 2007-01-29
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Abstract

Abstract An aid to steering of a vehicle having directional control defined by rotation of a steering wheel consists of a wedge shaped member strapped to an operator's thigh, having a pliable, frictional surface material for mating with the outside rim of the steering wheel. An alternative embodiment provides for a sleep alarm to sound when biasing between the invention and the steering wheel slackens.

Inventors

  • 👤 Tony U. Otani

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 17:31
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/02; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20546

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 94 words
An aid to steering of a vehicle having directional control defined by rotation of a steering wheel, comprising: a main body having a lower section curved for fitting over a thigh of a driver seated in said vehicle and an upper section having a pliable, frictional surface for mating with a conventional steering wheel rim of said vehicle, said main body being sized to allow said rim mating to occur as desired by said driver when said lower section is attached to said thigh; and means for attaching said lower section to said thigh.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 94 words
An aid to steering of a vehicle having directional control defined by rotation of a steering wheel, comprising: a main body having a lower section curved for fitting over a thigh of a driver seated in said vehicle and an upper section having a pliable, frictional surface for mating with a conventional steering wheel rim of said vehicle, said main body being sized to allow said rim mating to occur as desired by said driver when said lower section is attached to said thigh; and means for attaching said lower section to said thigh.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 88 words
The invention of claim 1, including a sleep alarm, comprising: a sensor switch located on said main body for sensing biasing of said upper section against said steering wheel rim, having an electrical status responsive to said biasing; a control switch to activate the sleep alarm; a sonic device to sound said alarm in response to the electrical status of said sensor switch; an electrical circuit for electrically connecting said switches and said sonic device; and means for connecting said electrical circuit to a source of electrical power.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 39 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching comprises at least one set of straps which depend from said lower section and are long enough to encircle said driver's thigh, each of which being releasably connected together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 51 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching comprises at least one set of spring biased straps which depend from said lower section having a gap therebetween so as to allow insertion of said driver's thigh and thereupon clamp on to said thigh by action of said spring biasing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 13 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said pliable, frictional surface is urethane rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 99 words
An aid to steering of a vehicle having directional control defined by rotation of a steering wheel, comprising: a wedge shaped and tapered main body having a lower section curved for fitting over a thigh of a driver seated in said vehicle and an upper section having a pliable, frictional surface curved for mating with a conventional steering wheel rim of said vehicle, said main body being sized to allow said rim mating to occur as desired by said driver when said lower section is attached to said thigh; and means for attaching said lower section to said thigh.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 99 words
An aid to steering of a vehicle having directional control defined by rotation of a steering wheel, comprising: a wedge shaped and tapered main body having a lower section curved for fitting over a thigh of a driver seated in said vehicle and an upper section having a pliable, frictional surface curved for mating with a conventional steering wheel rim of said vehicle, said main body being sized to allow said rim mating to occur as desired by said driver when said lower section is attached to said thigh; and means for attaching said lower section to said thigh.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 102 words
The invention of claim 6, including a sleep alarm, comprising: a sensor switch located between said upper section and said lower section for sensing biasing of said upper section against said steering wheel rim, having an electrical status responsive to said biasing; a control switch attached to said main body for activating the sleep alarm; a sonic device attached to said main body for sounding said alarm in response to the electrical status of said sensor switch; an electrical circuit for electrically connecting said switches and said sonic device; and means for connecting said electrical circuit to a source of electrical power.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 39 words
The invention of claim 6, wherein said means for attaching comprises at least one set of straps which depend from said lower section and are long enough to encircle said driver's thigh, each of which being releasably connected together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 51 words
The invention of claim 6, wherein said means for attaching comprises at least one set of spring biased straps which depend from said lower section having a gap therebetween so as to allow insertion of said driver's thigh and thereupon clamp on to said thigh by action of said spring biasing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 64 words
Method for steering of a vehicle having directional control defined by rotation of a steering wheel, comprising: providing a means for a third contact point between a driver and the steering wheel using said driver's thigh; and steering said vehicle using at least one hand on said wheel while simultaneously rotating said thigh until said third contact point means biases against said steering wheel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 64 words
Method for steering of a vehicle having directional control defined by rotation of a steering wheel, comprising: providing a means for a third contact point between a driver and the steering wheel using said driver's thigh; and steering said vehicle using at least one hand on said wheel while simultaneously rotating said thigh until said third contact point means biases against said steering wheel.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3409101A Cited
US4617559A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-03-01 1991-08-31 1992-03-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-03-01 1995-08-31 1996-03-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-03-01 1999-08-31 2000-03-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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