FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10 and Rule 13]
TITLE: “A STEERING SPINNER ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE”
Name and address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at
Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra,
INDIA.
Nationality: INDIAN
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a steering spinner assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a crash compatible steering spinner assembly.
BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE
Presently, for a vehicle a rotating knob or spinner is provided on a steering wheel which is as a handle to steer the wheel while taking a turn. Usually, the rotating knob or spinner is mounted on a steering wheel rim i.e. elevated above the plane of the steering wheel and supported on a stem or stud of the steering wheel rim. The stem or stud on which the steering wheel knob or spinner is elevated, is subjected to lateral leverage strain. Such construction frequently breaks under excessive strain in emergency operations. Further, such protruding knob or spinner and stud are quite likely to cause injury to a driver. Therefore, conventional rotating knobs fail to align itself in a plane of the steering wheel.
Conventional rotating knob does not align itself back to its initial position in an axis of the steering wheel when it is rotated and released at some arbitrary position. In such case, the rotating knob has to be returned to its original position by the driver manually which is a disadvantage to the driver each time for bringing it back to its original position for the next time use.
Further, the conventional system fails to disclose a locking mechanism for locking the rotating knob from rotating it higher vehicle speeds. The vehicle undergoes crashes when the rotating knob is used at higher vehicle speed which is not disclosed in the conventional system.
Hence, there is a need for a crash compatible steering spinner assembly to overcome the problems stated above.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

The present disclosure provides a steering spinner assembly for a vehicle. The assembly comprises a base plate, a spinner handle and a self-aligning assembly. The base plate of the steering spinner assembly is connectable to a steering wheel of the vehicle. The spinner handle is rotatably mounted on the base plate through a shaft provided therein. The shaft resides inside a bearing provided in the base plate. The self-aligning assembly is provided in the base plate for aligning the spinner handle in an axis of the steering wheel.
In an embodiment, the self-aligning assembly is selected from at least one of a crank assembly and a slider-crank assembly.
In an embodiment, the crank assembly comprises a crank which is connected to the shaft and a plurality of springs. One end of each of the plurality of springs is connected to the crank and other end of each of the plurality springs is connected to at least one pin provided on either side of the bearing.
In an embodiment, the slider-crank assembly comprises a crank, a slider and a connecting rod. The crank is connected to the shaft. The slider is slidably mounted on the base plate and slides on a guide rail provided therein. The connecting rod connects the crank and the slider.
In an embodiment, steering spinner assembly comprises a locking assembly for locking the spinner handle with the base plate. The locking assembly comprises a plunger and an actuator. The plunger is mounted on the base plate and is engaged into an arresting zone provided in at least one of the crank, the slider and the spinner handle. The actuator is used for actuating the plunger movement.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects and features described above, further aspects, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a crash compatible steering spinner handle which is in a plane of the steering wheel i.e. not protruding out of plane of the steering wheel.
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a self-aligning assembly for aligning the spinner handle in an axis of the spinner wheel.
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a locking assembly for locking the spinner handle with the base plate at higher vehicle speeds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates an assembled view of a steering spinner assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a self-aligning assembly of the steering spinner assembly using a crank assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a self-aligning assembly of the steering spinner assembly using a slider-crank assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary layout of a locking assembly in the steering spinner assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative

embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific aspect disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
To overcome the drawbacks mentioned in the background, a steering spinner assembly is provided on a steering wheel. A spinner handle of the steering spinner assembly is capable of aligning itself in an axis of the steering wheel after being rotated and released at any arbitrary position. Further, a locking assembly is provided to steering spinner assembly for locking the spinner handle from being use at higher vehicle speed.
Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure showing an assembled view of a steering spinner assembly 104 on a steering wheel 102 of a vehicle. The steering spinner assembly 104 comprises a base plate 106, a spinner handle 108, a spinner cover plate 110, a shaft (not shown in the figure 1) and a self-aligning assembly (not shown). The base plate 106 of the steering spinner assembly 104 is connectable to the steering wheel 102 using fastening means such as including but not limited to screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, pivots and lugs. In an embodiment, the spinner handle 108 and the steering wheel 102 are in same plane. The spinner handle 108 is provided with a spinner

cover plate 110. The spinner handle 108 is provided as a hand grip to a driver for using it while steering. The spinner cover plate 110 in conjunction with the spinner handle 108 is capable of being rotated together while the driver is steering i.e. the spinner cover plate 110 rotates and the spinner handle 108 rotates in same axis perpendicular to the steering wheel 102. The spinner cover plate 110 comprises a shaft which is used to connect the spinner handle 108 and the base plate 106. Particularly, the shaft resides in a bearing (not shown in the figure 1) provided in the base plate 106. The self-aligning assembly is provided in the base plate 106 for aligning the spinner handle 108 in the axis of the steering wheel 102 when the spinner handle 108 is rotated and released at some arbitrary position. For this, the self-aligning assembly is provided which is at least one of a crank assembly and a slider crank assembly. The crank assembly (explained in detail in figure 2) is provided with a crank 112 connected to the shaft used for aligning the spinner handle 108 in the same axis of the steering wheel 102.
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the crank assembly of the steering spinner assembly 104 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The crank assembly comprises the crank 112 and a plurality of springs (206a and 206b). The crank 112 is connected to the shaft 202 using fastening means such as including but not limited to pin, bolt, pivot and nut. The shaft 202 resides inside the bearing 204 provided in the base plate 106. On either side of the bearing 204, at least one pin (208a and 208b) is provided on the base plate 106. One end of each of the plurality of springs (206a and 206b) is connected to the crank 112 and other end of each of the plurality of springs (206a and 206b) is connected to the respective pin (208a and 208b). For example, one end of the spring 206a is connected to the crank 112 and other end of the spring 206a is connected to the pin 208a. Similarly, one end of the spring 206b is connected to the crank 112 and other end of the spring 206b is connected to the pin 208b. As and when the spindle handle 108 is rotated by the driver for steering, the spinner cover plate 110 also rotates. This results in rotating the crank 112 since it is connected to the shaft 202. The rotation of the crank 112 makes the springs (208a and 208b) on either sides to contract and expand. For example, when the spinner handle 108 is rotated in clockwise direction, the spring 208a is contracted and the spring 208b is expanded. When the driver releases his hand off the spinner handle 108 at some arbitrary position, the spring 208a will detract and the spring 208b returns into its original position returning the crank 112 into its initial position.

These results in returning the spinner handle 108 into its original position i.e. aligned on the same plane and axis of the steering wheel 102. Similarly, when the spinner handle 108 is rotated in counter-clockwise direction, the spring 208a is expanded and the spring 208b is contracted. When the driver releases his hand off the spinner handle 108 at some arbitrary position, the spring 208a returns into its original position and the spring 208b is detracted returning the crank 112 to their initial position. These results in returning the spinner handle 108 into its original position i.e. aligned on the same plane and axis of the steering wheel 102.
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a slider-crank assembly of the steering spinner assembly 104 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The slider-crank assembly comprises the crank 112, a connecting rod 302, a slider 304, a guide rail 306 and a plurality of springs (308a and 308b). The crank 112 is connected to the shaft 202. The slider 304 is slidably mounted on the base plate 106. Particularly, the base plate 106 is provided with the guide rail 306 on which the slider 304 is mounted and the slider 304 slides on this guide rail 306. On either side of the slider 304, at least one spring (308a and 308b) is provided on the guide rail 306. The springs (308a and 308b) are mounted on the guide rail 306 on either side of the slider 304. The springs (308a and 308b) on either side of the slider 304 are high tensioned springs and are used to hold the slider 304 in equilibrium position. As and when the spindle handle 108 is rotated by the driver for steering, the crank 112 also rotates since it is connected to the shaft 202. The rotation of the crank 112 makes the connected rod 302 to slide the slider 304 on the guide rail 306 between the springs (308a and 308b). The movement of the slider 304 makes at least one spring (308a or 308b) on either side to contract and other spring (308a or 308b) to detract. For example, when the spinner handle 108 is rotated clockwise direction, the crank 112 also rotates in the same direction which in makes the slider 304 to slide towards its left on the guide rail 306. This makes the spring 308a to contract further and the spring 308b to detract. When the driver releases his hand off the spinner handle 108 at some arbitrary position, the contracted spring 308a returns to its initial position and the springs 308b is returned back to its tensioned position which makes the slider 304 again in its equilibrium position on the guide rail 306. This result in making the spinner handle 108 into its original position i.e. aligned on the same plane and axis of the steering wheel 102. Similarly, when the spinner handle 108 is rotated counter-clockwise direction, the

crank 112 also rotates in the same direction which in makes the slider 304 to slide towards its right on the guide rail 306. This makes the spring 308a to detract from its high tensioned position and the spring 308b contract further. When the driver releases his hand off the spinner handle 108 at some arbitrary position, the detracted spring 308a returns to its initial position i.e. high tensioned position and the springs 308b is returned back to its original position which makes the slider 304 again in its equilibrium position on the guide rail 306. This result in making the spinner handle 108 into its original position i.e. aligned on the same plane and axis of the steering wheel 102.
Figure 4 illustrates is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure showing a cross section view of a locking assembly in a steering spinner assembly 104 for locking the spinner handle 108 with the base plate 106 at higher vehicle speeds. The locking assembly comprises a plunger 402 and an actuator 406. The plunger 402 is mounted on the base plate 106. Particularly, the plunger 402 is mounted on a cover plate 404 of the base plate 106. The plunger 402 is engaged into an arresting zone provided in at least one of including but not limited to the crank 112, the slider 304 and the spinner handle 108. In an embodiment, the plunger 402 is engaged into the arresting zone of the slider 304 for locking the spinner handle 108 with the base plate 106. The actuator 406 is used for actuating the plunger 402 movement. The actuator 406 is at least one of including but not limited to an electromagnetic spring, a smart metal alloy and piezoelectric stack. In an embodiment, the electromagnetic spring is used to illustrate the locking mechanism of the locking assembly. For example, the plunger 402 is engaged into the arresting zone of the slider 304 when the vehicle speed limit is above the threshold speed limit, for example, 20 kilometers per hour (kmph). If the vehicle speed limit is coming down to 20 kilometers per hour (kmph), then a vehicle sensor actuates a relay that would supply current to the electromagnetic spring 406. The electromagnetic spring 406 is energized and thus pulls the plunger 402 out of the arresting zone of the slider 304 which makes the slider 304 to slide upon rotating the spinner handle 108.
In an embodiment, the plunger 402 is engaged into the arresting zone of the crank 112 or the spinner handle 108. The actuator 406 is used for actuating the plunger 402 movement. For example, the plunger 402 is engaged into the arresting zone of the crank 112 or the spinner handle 108 when the vehicle speed limit is above the threshold speed limit, for example, 20 kilometers per hour (kmph). If the vehicle speed limit is coming down to 20

kilometers per hour (kmph), then the vehicle sensor actuates the relay that would supply current to the electromagnetic spring 406 which is the actuator. The electromagnetic spring 406 is energized and thus pulls the plunger 402 out of the arresting zone of the crank 112 or the spinner handle 108 which makes the crank 112 or the spinner handle 108 to rotate.
Additional features and advantages are realized through various techniques provided in the present disclosure.
Embodiment of the present disclosure provides a crash compatible spinner handle which is in a plane of the steering wheel itself i.e. not protruding out of the plane of the steering wheel.
Embodiment of the present disclosure provides a self-aligning mechanism for the spinner handle to align itself with an axis of the steering wheel. Particularly, to align the spinner handle back to its original position when it is being rotated and released at some arbitrary position.
Embodiment of the present disclosure provides a locking mechanism for locking the spinner handle from being rotated by the driver at higher vehicle speeds.
Equivalents
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to

understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
102 Steering wheel
104 Steering spinner assembly
106 Base plate
108 Spinner handle
110 Spinner cover plate
112 Crank
202 Shaft
204 Bearing
206a and 206b Springs
208a and 208b Pins
302 Connecting rod
304 Slider
306 Guide rail
308a and 308b Springs
402 Plunger
404 Cover plate
406 Actuator

We claim:
1. A steering spinner assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a base plate connectable to a steering wheel of the vehicle;
a spinner handle rotatably mounted on the base plate through a shaft provided therein, wherein said shaft resides inside a bearing provided in the base plate; and
a self-aligning assembly provided in the base plate for aligning the spinner handle in an axis of the steering wheel.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the self-aligning assembly is selected from at least one of a crank assembly and a slider-crank assembly.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the crank assembly comprises a crank connected to the shaft and a plurality of springs, wherein one end of each of the plurality of springs is connected to the crank and other end of each of the plurality springs is connected to at least one pin provided on either side of the bearing.
4. The assembly as claimed in claims 2, wherein the slider-crank assembly comprises:
a crank connected to the shaft;
a slider slidably mounted on the base plate, wherein the slider slides on a guide rail provided therein; and
a connecting rod connecting the crank and the slider.
5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slider-crank assembly comprises a plurality of springs, wherein each of the plurality of springs is mounted around the guide rail on either side of the slider.
6. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 comprises a locking assembly for locking the spinner handle with the base plate.
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the locking assembly comprises:
a plunger mounted on the base plate; and
an actuator for actuating the plunger movement.

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plunger is engaged into an arresting zone provided in at least one of the crank, the slider and the spinner handle for locking the spinner handle.
9. The assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the actuator is selected from at least one of an electromagnetic spring, a smart metal alloy and a piezoelectric stack.
10. A vehicle comprising a steering spinner assembly as claimed in claim 1.
11. A steering wheel of a vehicle comprising a steering spinner assembly as claimed in claim 1.