Abstract: A motor vehicle steering shaft assembly having two complementary steering shaft pieces adapted to be connected to the vehicle steering gear and steering wheel, respectively. Each shaft piece has an end portion arranged in adjacent, overlapping relationship with the end portion of the other shaft piece. The two shaft pieces are connected by at least two independent, torque-transmitting plug connections which are axially spaced relative to each other along the overlapping end portions. Each of the plug connections includes projections or "plugs," attached and extending parallel to one of the shaft pieces, and corresponding receptacles, adapted to receive the projections, attached to the other shaft piece. As a result of this construction the two shaft pieces of the steering shaft assembly may be disconnected upon application of a predetermined axial force, but the steering shaft assembly will not bend upon application of a transverse force thereto.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering shaft assembly having two complementary steering shaft pieces adapted to be connected to the vehicle steering gear and steering wheel, respectively. Each shaft piece has an end portion arranged in adjacent, overlapping relationship with the end portion of the other shaft piece. The two shaft pieces are connected by at least two independent, torque-transmitting plug connections which are axially spaced relative to each other along the overlapping end portions. Each of the plug connections includes projections or "plugs", attached and extending parallel to one of the shaft pieces, and corresponding receptacles, adapted to receive the projections, attached to the other shaft piece. As a result of this construction the two shaft pieces of the steering shaft assembly may be disconnected upon application of a predetermined axial force, but the steering shaft assembly will not bend upon application of a transverse force thereto.

Abstract: A steering wheel is designed to be attached to a steering column by means of a deformation member to enable the steering wheel to tilt with respect to the axis of the steering column upon impact by the driver. The deformation member is a flat plate with lines of reduced strength preferably in the form of spirals extending from the center of the hub.