Makoto Kawaguchi

US Patent:

20200269900, Aug 27, 2020

Filed:

Feb 20, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/796254

Inventors:

- AUBURN HILLS MI, US
Makoto Kawaguchi - Troy MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 1/183
B62D 1/10
B62D 1/06
F16C 1/12

Abstract:

A steering wheel assembly has a central hub configured to connect to a steering column, at least one retractable hand grip attached to the central hub, one or more control cables disposed internal of each retractable hand grip, and a drive mechanism connected to the control cables. The drive mechanism is located either at or in the central hub or remotely relative to the steering wheel assembly. The drive mechanism when activated can selectively move one or more of the control cables to move the retractable grips to a retracted position or a non-retracted position. Optionally, the hand grips can be connected directly to the central hub and/or to one or more spokes extending form the central hub. Each of the retractable hand grips has at least one and up to four control cables.