Method of attaching pad module on steering wheel
US5787762A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20834
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pad module is attached to a steering wheel according to the attaching method of the invention in the following manner. First, a lower cover is formed to have a bolt hole and a temporary bolt holder. The bolt holder is integral with the lower cover via a hinge portion and an arm portion. The arm portion is turned around the hinge portion to position the bolt holder in registration with the bolt hole, and is fixedly held. Then, the lower cover is secured to the steering wheel main body, and a bolt is inserted through the temporary bolt holder from the bolt hole and temporarily held by the holder. Thereafter, the pad module is set in place, and a nut is engaged with the bolt. By fastening the bolt with a fastening jig, the pad module is attached to the steering wheel main body. Because the temporary bolt holder is provided integrally with the lower cover, separate parts for temporarily holding a bolt is unnecessary and accordingly, it is not required to fix such parts by screw fasteners or the like. The number of parts and time required for attachment of the pad module decreases to attain cost reduction and improvement of work efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.