Patent ID: 6655703
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: B60T,B60W,B62D

Abstract:
A steering wheel for steering and braking an vehicle having a steering and braking system, the steering wheel being rotatably mountable about a steering axis in the vehicle, the steering wheel comprising:a hub rotatably positionable on the steering axis in operative engagement with the steering system; a first steering wheel segment spaced from and rotatably fixed to the hub such that the first steering wheel segment is rotatable, in combination with the hub, about the steering axis to steer the vehicle; and a second steering wheel segment spaced from and rotatably fixed to the hub such that the second steering wheel segment is rotatable, in combination with the hub, about the steering axis to steer the vehicle, the second steering wheel segment also being pivotally connected to the hub such that the second steering wheel segment can pivot generally toward the steering axis, the second steering wheel segment being pivotally movable between an equilibrium position in which the second steering wheel segment is aligned with the first steering wheel segment to define at least part of a steering wheel perimeter and a braking position wherein the second steering wheel segment is displaced from alignment with the first steering wheel segment to actuate the braking system.