Patent ID: 7644643
Filing Date: 2010-01-12
Classification: B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A steering assembly for steering a vehicle, the assembly comprising: a shaft that has a proximal end toward a driver of the vehicle and that is arranged to turn about an axis to steer the vehicle; and a steering wheel assembly that comprises a hub fastened to the proximal end of the shaft and a spoke pattern of one or more spokes extending away from the hub to a rim that when grasped by the driver and turned, turns the shaft to steer the vehicle, wherein with the rim turned to a position that steers the vehicle in a straight line of travel, the spoke pattern assumes a position of at least approximate symmetry with respect to a vertical plane through the axis, and an escutcheon that is disposed to cover the spoke pattern to prevent the driver from having an unobstructed view of the one or more spokes, that is positionable within a range of positions relative to the spoke pattern, and that is secured in a position within that range that presents to the driver an appearance of having essentially exact symmetry with respect to the vertical plane with the rim in the position that steers the vehicle in a straight line of travel, wherein the escutcheon is positionable along an arc centered on the axis and defined by an arcuate through-slot in a spoke of the spoke pattern within which a part attached to the escutcheon travels, the through-slot having an arcuate length, as measured circumferentially about the axis, exceeding the through-slot's width as measured radially of the axis.