Abstract: A heated steering wheel with a preformed heating member, having an inner rim portion; a cushion layer disposed about the inner rim portion; and a preformed heating element disposed about the cushion layer; wherein the cushion layer is applied using a molding process and the preformed heating element and the inner rim portion are inserted in a mold used for the molding process prior to the application of said cushion layer therein.

Abstract: A heated steering wheel with a preformed heating member, having an inner rim portion; a cushion layer disposed about the inner rim portion; and a preformed heating element disposed about the cushion layer; wherein the cushion layer is applied using a molding process and the preformed heating element and the inner rim portion are inserted in a mold used for the molding process prior to the application of said cushion layer therein.

Abstract: An air bag module assembly for attachment to a steering wheel is provided. The assembly includes an air bag subassembly including an air bag. A container is provided with the assembly for receiving the air bag subassembly therein. The assembly further includes a frame portion for attachment to the steering wheel. The container is snap-fittedly attached to the frame portion. Preferably, an outer material is formed as an integral one-piece covering over the frame portion and the container. The frame portion may include a plurality of bosses on the frame portion and a plurality of alternating tabs and notches on the container. The tabs each include an outwardly projecting hook portion. The bosses are received in the notches when the container is snapped on the frame portion and the hook portions are snapped onto the frame portion.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering wheel having a horn switch assembly including a module mounting plate on the steering wheel, a pair of horn contact plates attached to the module mounting plate in plug-in fashion, an occupant restraint module including a module base plate, and a plurality of electrically insulating plastic retainers. Each of the plastic retainers has a plurality of short legs received in keyhole slots in the module base plate and a plurality of long legs received in keyhole slots in the horn contact plates. When the retainers are twisted to locked positions, hooks on the short legs clamp the retainers to the module base plate. In the locked positions of the plastic retainers, the long legs cooperate with the keyhole slots in the horn contact plates in supporting the module base plate on the horn contact plates for in and out movement through a horn sounding stroke. Springs nested in the plastic retainers urge relative separation between the module base plate and the horn contact plates.

Abstract: A method and steering wheel assembly having a steering wheel comprising a preselected material continuously molded onto at least a driver's side thereof to conceal the air bag when the air bag is mounted to the steering wheel. The preselected material covers at least a driver's side of a rim section, a center section and a spoke section which joins the rim and center sections. The invention provides an integral construction which permits a steering wheel manufacturer to provide a steering wheel having a continuous molded construction on at least a driver's side thereof. This also enables steering wheels to be manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes.