Talk:Brodie knob

Used in cars with power steering
In automobiles, these knobs were used in cars with power steering to make parking and turning corners easier. The old cars required a LOT of hand-over-hand turning to park or turn 90 degrees. These knobs allowed you to turn the wheel with the palm of your hand, without gripping anything. Hence the "suicide" name. Dsbeerf (talk) 07:10, 2 October 2010 (UTC)

"Wheel-spinners are also used for helping people with disabilities, such as multiple sclerosis, to drive automobiles." Could anyone tell me, how does the accident rate of these drivers compare with those of able bodied drivers? Myrtone

according to Fish Insurance, a specialist insurer for people with disabilities, those who aren't able-bodied are generally a better risk than many other groups of motorists and there is no justification for them to be charged higher premiums. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.42.76.88 (talk) 05:29, 19 October 2009 (UTC)

why does myrtone even care? the accident rate of persons with disabilities has literally sweet f.a. to do with this article — Preceding unsigned comment added by 206.255.1.195 (talk) 00:52, 28 January 2014 (UTC)

For Myrtone's enlightenment: Learning to live with the use of one arm taught me a level of forethought and prudence I have realized most people never attain. This has made everything I do safer. It's sloppy thoughtlessness that causes accidents. Back on topic: I wonder if any laws regarding them have changed and am hoping someone here knows more than I do will address this. KDBales — Preceding unsigned comment added by KDBales (talk • contribs) 14:55, 30 January 2016 (UTC)

Illegal
spinner knobs have become illiegal in many parts of the US due to the dangerous associated with overstearing shouldn't this be mentioned —Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.161.51.235 (talk) 11:10, 4 April 2008 (UTC)

Proposed move to Steering Wheel Spinner knob
Per WP:COMMONNAME. In terms of Google hits the name "spinner knob" is about 100 times more common than "Brodie knob" or "Brody knob". The etymology of the term Brodie knob is in any case unsourced, both here and on the Steve Brodie article. Another point is that the term "Brodie knob" is only known in the US (and possibly Canada). Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 15:35, 14 August 2013 (UTC)

Yes, in 1937 and 1947, Mr. Joel R. Thorp was awarded no less than two (2) U.S. Patents, #2,101,519 and #2,432,262 for the "steering wheel spinner knob". The Wisconsin inventor was also awarded Design Patent D141293 S, "Design for a steering wheel spinner knob" in 1945.

use & legality in the other 190-odd countries of the world
Does anyone have any references for legality in the rest of the world? I know that they are fitted to private cars for some disabled drivers in the UK & also fitted to vehicles where the steering has to be moved fast or frequently (eg works trucks) 185.13.106.73 (talk) 01:44, 10 June 2014 (UTC)

Very commonly used by drivers with a variety of disabilities
A spinner knob is an essential component of many control modfication schemes for disabled drivers. For example if the throttle and brakes are controlled with a hand operated lever, by drivers with lower limb impairments who cannot use foot pedals, such a knob is often required to facilitate effective steering with only one hand. Roger (Dodger67) (talk) 19:06, 27 January 2017 (UTC)


 * My father, who was missing his left arm, was required by a notation on his driver's license to have a spinner knob. After power steering had been common, I saw this notation and asked him since the family cars no longer had the knobs.  He said that the power assist was a generally accepted substitute.
 * Unfortunately, all documentation has since disappeared, so I'm not putting this in the article. Snile (talk) 21:36, 19 February 2024 (UTC)