Ford Files Another Steering Wheel Deployable Tray Patent

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a steering wheel deployable tray that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on August 4^th, 2023, published on February 6^th, 2025, and assigned serial number 0042319.

The Ford Authority Take

When the redesigned Ford Transit Custom debuted for Europe some time ago, it did so with a rather interesting feature inside the cabin – a trick steering wheel that folds upward and can accommodate a flat surface that transforms it into a tray table of sorts, and the bottom tab lifts up, which helps secure a tray in place. The steering wheel can be placed in all sorts of different angles, which makes it useful for a variety of things, ranging from holding a meal to a laptop or simply acting as a writing surface. Since then, Ford has filed patents for a similar concept in the U.S., as well as a deployable work table for trucks and another type of deployable tray.

Now, this newly published patent presents us with yet another idea for a steering wheel deployable tray that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too. In this case, the tray itself isn’t built into the steering wheel, nor does the wheel need to lay flat for occupants to use it – rather, this new type of tray would be stashed on the side of the center console when it isn’t needed. When one wants to use the tray, they can simple detach it and place it on the bottom of the steering wheel.

This idea is a bit simpler than some of the aforementioned patents, and in this case, Ford also proposes adding two different kinds of trays to the mix – with each one being stored on a different side of the center console. It’s an interesting idea that seemingly wouldn’t take up too much space, and as such, it looks viable for use in future Blue Oval models.

“Submitting patent applications is a normal part of any strong business as the process protects new ideas and helps us build a robust portfolio of intellectual property,” Ford said in a statement. “The ideas described within a patent application should not be viewed as an indication of our business or product plans. No matter what the patent application outlines, we will always put the customer first in the decision-making behind the development and marketing of new products and services.”