Abstract: A steering-wheel arrangement is disclosed which comprises a steering-wheel having a first gear element. A second gear element is provided which is mounted on a steering column. The first and second gear elements inter-engage one another and the arrangement is further provided with an anti-backlash gear which is mounted on one of the gear elements. The anti-backlash gear has teeth configures to as to align substantially with the teeth of the gear element upon which it is mounted, and the anti-backlash gear is biased relative to the gear element upon which it is mounted towards a position in which the teeth of the anti-backlash gear become displaced from the corresponding teeth of the gear element. This gear arrangement has been found to provide improved “feel” for a person driving a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A steering wheel is disclosed, the steering wheel comprising a frame as radially outwardly-extending spokes (3,4) and a rim (5). The frame defines a recess to receive an air-bag unit 9. The steering wheel is provided with a number of mounting elements (26) associated with a respective spoke (3,4). Each mounting element (26) is connected to the steering wheel and has a portion (27) overlying part of the steering wheel. The air-bag unit (9) is connected to each mounting element (26) by means of a resiliently-biased connection to permit relative movement of the air-bag unit (9) with respect to the steering wheel, such that the peripheral part of the air-bag unit (9) defines a pre-determined gap between itself and the overlying portion (27) of the mounting element (26).

Abstract: A steering wheel arrangement is disclosed which incorporates a fixed element (20). The fixed element carries a first annular bearing (33) which supports a steering wheel for rotation relative to the fixed element (20). The fixed element also carries a second bearing (38) which rotatably supports a component to be connected to part of the steering column of a motor vehicle. Each of the bearings are retained, to the fixed element (20), by means of a first resilient retaining element (40), and the first bearing (33) is also retained to the steering wheel by a second resilient retaining element (41).

Abstract: A steering-wheel arrangement is disclosed which comprises a steering-wheel having a first gear element. A second gear element is provided which is mounted on a steering column. The first and second gear elements inter-engage one another and the arrangement is further provided with an anti-backlash gear which is mounted on one of the gear elements. The anti-backlash gear has teeth configures to as to align substantially with the teeth of the gear element upon which it is mounted, and the anti-backlash gear is biased relative to the gear element upon which it is mounted towards a position in which the teeth of the anti-backlash gear become displaced from the corresponding teeth of the gear element. This gear arrangement has been found to provide improved “feel” for a person driving a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A steering wheel is disclosed, the steering wheel comprising a frame as radially outwardly-extending spokes (3,4) and a rim (5). The frame defines a recess to receive an air-bag unit 9. The steering wheel is provided with a number of mounting elements (26) associated with a respective spoke (3,4). Each mounting element (26) is connected to the steering wheel and has a portion (27) overlying part of the steering wheel. The air-bag unit (9) is connected to each mounting element (26) by means of a resiliently-biased connection to permit relative movement of the air-bag unit (9) with respect to the steering wheel, such that the peripheral part of the air-bag unit (9) defines a pre-determined gap between itself and the overlying portion (27) of the mounting element (26).