FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: AN ASSEMBLY FOR HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL OF A
VEHICLE
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
CEAT LIMITED Indian CEAT Ltd At: Get Muwala Po: Chandrapura Ta: Halol - 389 350 Dist: Panchmahal, Gujarat, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to a steering wheel holder
and, particularly but not exclusively, to a steering wheel holder for holding the steering wheel of a vehicle in a stationary position.
BACKGROUND
[0002] To provide movement to a vehicle, wheels are attached to an axle shaft
through bearing. The axle shaft passes through the center of the wheels. To allow the movement of the vehicle on a road surface, engine of the vehicle causes the axle shaft to move which in turn enables the movement of the wheels attached to the axle shaft. During movement of the wheels on the uneven road surface, the positioning of the wheels on the axle shaft and thus, with respect to other wheels and body of the vehicle gets effected. Vehicle behavior is directly influenced by positioning of a wheel w.r.t other wheels and body of the vehicle. For example, tires mounted on the wheels undergoes uneven wear when the wheels are misaligned. Further, steering system that allows to control the direction of the vehicle also experiences deviation in movement from the expected direction of movement. Wheel misalignment also negatively affect the braking system of the vehicle. Thus, every wheel needs to be properly aligned with respect to other wheels and body of the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number
identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers
are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Figure 1 illustrates an assembly for holding steering wheel of a vehicle
in a stationary position, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.
[0005] Figure 2 illustrates the assembly placed on a driving seat of the vehicle,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0006] The present subject matter relates to aspects relating to holding steering
wheel of a vehicle in a stationary position during wheel alignment by an assembly,
to be placed on a driving seat of the vehicle, for holding the steering wheel.
[0007] Over the time, wheels of the vehicle get misaligned with respect to other
wheels and body of the vehicle. To avoid adverse effects of the wheels misalignment such as uneven wear of the tire, poor braking system, lack of coordination between the steering wheel and direction of movement of the wheels, wheels need to be properly aligned when needed. To ensure proper alignment of the wheels, steering wheel of the vehicle needs to be held in a stationary position during wheel alignment.
[0008] Conventionally, steering wheel holders are available for light vehicles,
such as a passenger car. However, due to high variation in the driving seat and
steering wheel arrangements of heavy vehicles, such as trucks, the steering wheel
holders which are used in case of light vehicles cannot be used for heavy vehicles.
[0009] Thus, in case of heavy vehicles, generally, a person sits on the driving
seat and holds the steering wheel during wheel alignment and other related activities while another person engages in the wheel alignment and related activities. Thus, manpower is wasted in holding the steering wheel in the stationary position. Also, it is difficult to manually hold the steering wheel in a stationary position. Manually holding the steering wheel in the stationary position may not only cause fatigue to the person holding the steering wheel but may also lead to improper alignment in some cases. For instance, inadvertent movement of steering wheel by the person holding the steering during wheel alignment may lead to inaccurate wheel alignment.
[0010] An assembly for holding steering wheel of a vehicle in a stationary
position during wheel alignment is described in the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the assembly overcomes the above-described problems associated with the conventional devices and techniques available for holding steering wheels in the vehicles and more specifically for holding steering wheel in a heavy vehicle.

[0011] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, an
assembly for holding steering wheel of a vehicle in a stationary position includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion each comprising a frame. In an example, the vertical portion is connected to the horizontal portion along an edge of the horizontal portion forming a L-shape structure. The vertical portion aligns with backrest of a seat of the vehicle and the horizontal portion aligns with a flat seating portion of the seat of the vehicle when the assembly is placed on the seat to hold the steering wheel during wheel alignment.
[0012] In an example, the assembly further comprises a first arm and a second
arm provided on the vertical portion. The first arm and the second arm, each have a first end and a second end. Each of the first end of the first arm and the first end of the second arm is connected to the vertical portion at a predetermined height above the horizontal portion such that the first arm and the second arm are movable about the respective first ends to enable the second end of the first arm and the second end of the second arm to hold the steering wheel. In an example, the predetermined height is adjustable to enable the second end of the first arm and the second end of the second arm to hold the steering wheel.
[0013] The positioning of the movable arms on the vertical portion of the
assembly allows the assembly to hold any arrangement of steering wheels in a stationary position during wheel alignment and other related activities, without the need of manual intervention.
[0014] Thus, no manpower is required to hold the steering wheel in a stationary
position during wheel alignment, resulting in saving of manpower. Further, inadvertent movement of steering wheel during wheel alignment that may otherwise be caused because of manually holding the steering wheel may be avoided that ensures the accuracy of wheel alignment.
[0015] Further, the assembly is such that it is compatible with a variety of
vehicles, esp. heavy vehicles like trucks. This is because, there is generally high variation in the steering wheel arrangement in heavy vehicles and the assembly is suitable to hold any arrangement of steering wheels.

[0016] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject
matter will be better explained with regard to the following description and accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter along with examples described herein and, should not be construed as a limitation to the present subject matter. It is thus understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Further, for the sake of simplicity, and without limitation, the same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0017] Figure 1 illustrates an assembly for holding steering wheel of a vehicle
in a stationary position, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. While Figure 2 illustrates the assembly placed on a driving seat of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For sake of ease of explanation, Figures 1 and 2 are explained together.
[0018] The assembly 100 for holding steering wheel 116 of a vehicle in a
stationary position, in an implementation of the present subject matter, comprises
a horizontal portion 102 and vertical portion 104. Each of the horizontal portion
102 and the vertical 104 comprises a frame. In an example, each of the frames of
horizontal portion 102 and vertical portion 104 may be rectangular. In an example,
the frame may be a metallic frame made out of iron or steel or similar rigid material
[0019] In the example embodiment depicted in Figure 1 and Figure 2, each of
the rectangular frames comprise a recess in the middle of the frame. The recess is provided to minimize the weight of the assembly owing the removal of material from area of the frames corresponding to said recess. In other embodiments, the recess may not be provided on both the rectangular frames or be provided on only one of the rectangular frame. Also, it will be understood that while the recess is depicted to have a rectangular shape in example embodiment depicted in Figure 1 and Figure 2, other shapes may also be created by removal of material to reduce the weight and in turn the cost of the assembly 100. For instance, in some example

embodiments, the frame may be U shape which also reduces the weight of the assembly.
[0020] The vertical portion 104 is connected to the horizontal portion 102
along an edge 106 of the horizontal portion 102 such that a L-shape structure is formed. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the vertical portion 104 is fixedly connected to the horizontal portion 102 along the edge 106 of the horizontal portion 102 at an angle of about 90 degrees. During a wheel alignment procedure or other related activities, the vertical portion 104 is aligned with backrest 120 of a seat 118 of the vehicle and the horizontal portion 102 is aligned with a flat seating portion 122 of the seat 118 of the vehicle to hold the steering wheel 116 in a stationary position as illustrated in Fig. 2. The edge 106 connecting the vertical portion 104 to the horizontal portion 102 coincide with the edge of the seat connecting the backrest 120 of the seat 118 to the flat seating portion 122 of the seat 118.
[0021] In another example implementation, the vertical portion 104 may be
movable at an angle with respect to the horizontal portion 102 along the edge 106 of the horizontal portion 102 connecting the horizontal portion 102 with the vertical portion 104. In an example, the vertical portion 104 may be connected to the horizontal portion 102 along the edge 106 of the horizontal portion 102 through an adjustable hinge. The hinge may be operable to vary the angle between the vertical portion 104 and the horizontal portion 102 within a predetermined range and once an angle is set, the hinge may be operable to fix the vertical portion 104 to the horizontal portion 102 at said angle. The hinged connection of vertical portion 104 with the horizontal portion 102 allows the angled movement of vertical portion 104 with respect to the edge 106 of the horizontal portion 102. In an example, the angle of movement of vertical portion 104 is in the range of 1-10 degree.
[0022] In an example implementation, the assembly 100 comprises a first arm
108 and a second arm 110 provided on the vertical portion 104. Each of the first arm 108 and the second arm 110 has a first end 108-1, 110-1 and a second end 108-2, 110-2. The first end 108-1 of the first arm 108 and the first end 110-1 of the second arm 110 are connected to the vertical portion 104 at a predetermined height

above the horizontal portion 102 such that the first arm 108 and the second arm 110 are movable about the respective first ends 108-1, 110-1 to enable the second end 108-2 of the first arm 108 and the second end 110-2 of the second arm 110 to hold the steering wheel 116. The predetermined height may be set in accordance with the design of the vehicle. For example, for heavy vehicles, the predetermined height may be different than for light vehicles.
[0023] In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the first ends 108-1, 110-1 of
each of the first and second arms 108, 110 are connected to the vertical portion 104
through the respective hinges that allow the movement of the first arm 108 and the
second arm 110 about the respective first ends 108-1, 110-1 at an angle. In an
example, the first end 108-1 of the first arm 108 and the first end 110-1 of the
second arm 110 are connected to the vertical portion 104 at the predetermined
horizontal distance with respect to each other to accommodate a diameter of the
steering wheel 116. In an example, the hinges may be fixed at the respective
positions on the vertical portion 104 and the angled movement of first and the
second arms 108, 110 about their first ends 108-1, 110-1 may allow the second
ends 108-2, 110-2 of the first and second arms 108, 110 to hold the steering wheel
116. In another example, the hinge may slide vertically across the vertical portion
104 and be locked at the required height to enable the first and second arms 108,
110 to hold the steering wheel 116 through their second ends 108-2, 110-2.
[0024] In another example, the predetermined height may be adjustable to
enable the second end 108-2 of the first arm 108 and the second end 110-2 of the second arm 110 to hold the steering wheel 116. The height may be adjusted through a slide and lock mechanism or pin pull type mechanism whereby the first and second arms 108, 110 can slide across the vertical portion 104 and can be locked at any height on the vertical portion 104 as per the needs of the vehicle. In such a case, two vertical slots (not shown in Figures) may be provided at the predetermined horizontal distance to allow the first ends 108-1, 110-1 to move vertically to enable the second ends 108-2, 110-2 of the first arm 108 and the second arm 110 respectively to hold the steering wheel 116. Two bolts or similar means may be provided on the vertical portion 104 to lock the first ends 108-1,

110-1 at the required height to match the positioning of the steering wheel 116 in the vehicle. The movement of the first and second arm 108, 110 enables the flexibility of assembly 100 to hold the steering wheels 116 mounted at different heights in different vehicles.
[0025] In an example, the length of each of the first arm 108 and second arm
110 is adjustable to hold the steering wheel 116. Each of the first arm 108 and the second arm 110 may comprise an outer portion 108-A, 110-A and an inner portion 108-B, 110-B respectively that slide inside the corresponding outer portion 108-A, 110-A and can be locked at a point such that the length of the respective arm is adjusted to hold the steering wheel 116. Adjustable length of the steering wheel 116 allows the assembly 100 to hold steering wheels 116 mounted at different distances from the driving seat 118 in different seats.
[0026] In another example, each of the first arm 108 and the second arm 110
comprises a gripper 112, 114 provided on the respective inner portions 108-B, 110-B. The gripper 112, 114 may have the adjustable gripping members to hold the steering wheels 116 having different grip circumference. The gripping members may comprise a pair of gripping members, wherein a distance between the gripping members in the pair of gripping members can be adjusted to suit the variety of steering wheels 116 having different grip circumference.
[0027] Fig. 2 illustrates the assembly 100 placed on a driving seat 118 of the
vehicle, wherein the horizontal portion 102 of the assembly 100 is aligned with the flat seating portion 122 of the seat 118 of the vehicle and the vertical portion 104 is aligned with the backrest 120 of the seat 118 of the vehicle. Further, first and second arms 108, 110 provided on the vertical portion 104 are holding the steering wheel 116 in a stationary position.
[0028] As would be understood, the assembly described in the present subject
matter allows to accommodate the steering wheels of various vehicles having different arrangements for steering wheel such as height of steering wheel from a base of the vehicle, width of steering wheel, grip circumference of the steering wheel and hols the steering wheel in stationary position without manual intervention.

[0029] Although implementations for an assembly 100 for holding steering
wheel 116 of a vehicle in a stationary position are described, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features of the systems described herein. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as implementations for the assembly 100 for holding the steering wheel 116.

I/ We Claim:
1. An assembly 100 for holding steering wheel 116 of a vehicle in a stationary
position, the assembly 100 comprising:
a horizontal portion 102 comprising a frame;
a vertical portion 104 comprising a frame, the vertical portion 104 being connected to the horizontal portion 102 along an edge 106 of the horizontal portion 102 forming a L-shape structure, such that the vertical portion 104 is to align with backrest 120 of a seat 118 of the vehicle and the horizontal portion 102 is to align with a flat seating portion 122 of the seat 118 of the vehicle;
a first arm 108 and a second arm 110 provided on the vertical portion 104,
wherein the first arm 108 and the second arm 110 each have a first end 108-1, 110-1 and a second end 108-2, 110-2, the first end 108-1 of the first arm 108 and the first end 110-1 of the second arm 110 being connected to the vertical portion 104 at a predetermined height above the horizontal portion 102 such that the first arm 108 and the second arm 110 are movable about the respective first ends 108-1, 110-1 to enable the second end 108-2 of the first arm 108 and the second end 110-2 of the second arm 110 to hold the steering wheel 116.
2. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end 108-1 of the first arm 108 and the first end 110-1 of the second arm 110 being connected to the vertical portion 104 at a predetermined distance with respect to each other to accommodate a diameter of the steering wheel 116.
3. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical portion 104 is movable at an angle with respect to the horizontal portion 102 along the edge 106 of the horizontal portion 102 connecting the horizontal portion 102 with the vertical portion 104.
4. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 3, wherein the angle is in the range of 1-10 degree.

5. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length of each of the first arm 108 and the second arm 110 is adjustable to hold the steering wheel 116.
6. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the first arm 108 and the second arm 110 comprises an outer portion 108-A, 110-A and an inner portion 108-B, 110-B that slide inside the corresponding outer portion 108-A, 110-A such that the length of the respective arm 108, 110 is adjusted to hold the steering wheel 116.
7. The assembly 100 as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first arm 108 and the second arm 110 comprises a gripper 112, 114 provided on the respective inner portion 108-B, 110-B.
8. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 7, wherein the gripper 112, 114 comprises adjustable gripping members to accommodate the steering wheel 116.