Brodie knob

A brodie knob (alternative spelling brody knob) is a knob that attaches to the steering wheel of an automobile or other vehicle or equipment with a steering wheel. Other names for this knob include: suicide, necker, granny, knuckle buster, and wheel spinner.

Aged Brodie knob on the steering wheel of a forklift
Brodie knob on an Oliver tractor
Spinner added to the steering wheel of a Rambler Classic

Design and use

The device is a small, independently rotating knob (similar to a U.S. classic door knob) facing the driver that is securely mounted on the outside rim of a steering wheel.[1] The protruding knob is an aftermarket accessory. The free rotation is intended to help make steering with one hand less difficult or faster. Brodie knobs had popularity on trucks and tractors before the advent of power steering. Their main use today is still in trucks, particularly semi trucks where they allow simultaneous steering and operation of the radio or gearshift. They are also used on forklifts, riding lawnmowers, and ice resurfacers, where frequent sharp turning is required. The knob is also standard equipment in most modern farm and commercial tractors, its main purpose being to ease single-hand steering while the driver operates other controls with his/her other hand or is traveling in reverse.

Some boats are equipped with a helm featuring a stainless-steel wheel with a brodie knob.[2]

Etymology

The "Steering Wheel Spinner Knob" was invented by Joel R. Thorp of Wisconsin in 1936.[3] The Brodie name is a reference to Steve Brodie and was meant to describe all manner of reckless stunts.[4] The device is often called a "suicide knob" because of being notoriously useless for controlling the wheel during an emergency.[5] It is also called a "knuckle buster" because of the disadvantage posed by the knob when letting go of the steering wheel after going around a corner, the wheel spins rapidly and the knob can hit the user's knuckle, forearm, or elbow. If the driver is wearing a long sleeve shirt, the protruding accessory on the rim of the steering wheel can also become caught in the sleeve's open cut by the button. Other names include "granny knob" and "wheel spinner."

Legality

Brodie knobs are legal on private vehicles in most U.S. states.[6]

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations restrict use of auxiliary devices for specific construction vehicles.[7] OSHA prohibits modification of industrial equipment without the approval of the equipment manufacturer.

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References
  1. Breitenstein, Jeff (2004). Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary: A-Bombs to Zoomies. Motorbooks. p. 208. ISBN 978-0-7603-1823-2. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  2. Caswell, Chris (January 2008). "Chris Craft Catalina 26". MotorBoating. 201 (1): 41. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  3. Thorp, Joel R. (December 7, 1937). "Steering Wheel Spinner Knob. Application November 20, 1936. Serial No. 113,283". Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office. 485: 170.
  4. Breitenstein, pg. 35.
  5. Humez, Alexander; Humez, Nicholas (2008). On the Dot: The Speck That Changed the World. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-532499-0. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  6. "State Laws for Steering Wheel Knobs". suicideknob.net. 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  7. "Occupational Safety & Health Administration 1926.602(c)(1)(iv)". OSHA. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
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