IP Library Granted Patent US 7,934,439
Granted Patent B2
US 7,934,439 · App. 11/558,584 · Granted May 3, 2011

Back light of steering wheel

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,934,439
App. No.
11/558,584
Granted
May 3, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A steering wheel comprises a rim connected to spokes. A covering material is provided to enclose at least a portion of the rim and/or the spokes. The covering material includes an outer cover and a light element positioned under the outer cover. The light element is configured to emit light through at least a portion of the outer cover. The light element is positioned over a casing that is provided to give shape to the steering wheel so that a vehicle driver may easily grasp the steering wheel. The light element may provide continuous, pulsed, or non-continuous lighting.

Claims (18)

1. A steering wheel material, comprising:

a covering material, the covering material including:

an outer cover; and

a light element positioned under the outer cover,

wherein the light element is configured to emit light through at least a portion of the outer cover, and

wherein the outer cover includes a first area portion, a second area portion, and a third area portion configured to form a continuous portion, wherein the third area portion is configured to be thinner than the first area portion, wherein the first area portion includes at least one perforation to permit light from the light element to pass through each of the perforations in the first area portion, wherein the second area portion is substantially impermeable to light, and wherein light from the light element is configured to transmit through the third area portion.

2. The steering wheel material of claim 1 , wherein the covering material further includes a casing that is positioned under the outer cover.

3. The steering wheel material of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of light elements.

4. A steering wheel, comprising:

a rim connected to spokes; and

a covering material enclosing at least a portion of the rim and/or spokes, the covering material including an outer cover and a light element positioned under the outer cover,

wherein the light element is configured to emit light through at least a portion of the outer cover, and

wherein the outer cover includes a first area portion, a second area portion, and a third area portion configured to form a continuous portion, wherein the third area portion is configured to be thinner than the first area portion, wherein the first area portion includes at least one perforation to permit light from the light element to pass through each of the perforations in the first area portion, wherein the second area portion is substantially impermeable to light, and wherein light from the light element is configured to transmit through the third area portion.

5. The steering wheel of claim 4 , wherein the covering material further includes a casing that is positioned under the outer cover.

6. The steering wheel of claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of light elements arranged to light up separate sections of the steering wheel.

7. The steering wheel of claim 4 , wherein the light element is configured to provide continuous back lighting of the steering wheel.

8. The steering wheel of claim 4 , wherein the light element is configured to provide pulsed back lighting of the steering wheel.

9. The steering wheel of claim 4 , wherein the light element is configured to provide non-continuous back lighting of the steering wheel.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2026
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 075554/0717 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2021
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS SECURITY AGENT FOR THE SECURED PARTIES
To: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 057775/0726 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2021
From: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS SECURITY AGENT FOR THE SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 057828/0411 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2018
From: TK HOLDINGS INC.
To: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 046173/0180 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Apr 17, 2018
From: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 045959/0305 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 8, 2007
From: BOSTICK, WILLIAM E.
To: TK HOLDINGS INC.
Reel/Frame 018992/0585 →