Patent ID: 7431325

Claim:
A steering wheel adapter for connecting a function unit to a steering wheel that includes a plurality of spokes, the steering wheel enclosing an area having an upper region in the form of a segment of a circle bounded by the spokes, said adapter comprising: a rotatable retaining plate connectable to the function unit; and retaining elements associated with said retaining plate and movable relative to said retaining plate into a retaining position within the segment of a circle for fixing said adapter to the steering wheel, said retaining elements being adjustable relative to said retaining plate for frictionally connecting said retaining plate to the steering wheel and for exerting on the steering wheel a clamping force from within the area enclosed by the steering wheel in order to enable the steering wheel to rotate with said retaining plate, wherein: said retaining plate is provided with a respective guide channel far each at sail retaining elements in which said retaining elements are displaceable until they come into contact in their retaining positions with the steering wheel; said retaining elements comprise two lateral retaining elements and an upper, central retaining element; each at said two lateral retaining elements comprises a cylindrical base extending through the respective guide channel and a truncated cone adjoining said cylindrical base and forming the respective beveled clamping surface; and said steering wheel adapter further comprises: two adjusting rods each having one end connected to a respective one of said lateral retaining elements at the side of said retaining plate that faces away from the steering wheel when said adapter is fixed to the steering wheel; and a common adjusting slider rotatably connected to the other end of each of said adjusting rods, said adjusting slider being radially displaceable on said retaining plate.