Abstract: To provide a steering wheel which is lightweight, and which has adequate strength and shock resistance, a carbon fiber prepreg 13 is wound on a mandrel 11 or a lightweight foam core 40 so as to obtain a preformer 14. By heating this preformer 14 in a mold 18, a steering wheel is obtained wherein the rim is formed from a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin joined to a metal skeleton 23.

Abstract: To provide a steering wheel which is lightweight, and which has adequate strength and shock resistance, a carbon fiber prepreg 13 is wound on a mandrel 11 or a lightweight foam core 40 so as to obtain a preformer 14. By heating this preformer 14 in a mold 18, a steering wheel is obtained wherein the rim is formed from a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin joined to a metal skeleton 23.

Abstract: An air bag apparatus mounted in a vehicle in an immovable state comprises an inflator for expelling gas during a sudden deceleration of a vehicle, a bag disposed in a folded state on the occupant side of the inflator and a restricting member made of a soft material with both ends thereof being fastened to the inner circumferential surface of the bag so as to restrict the expansion height of the bag which expands in the form of a sphere toward the occupant by the gas expelled upon sudden deceleration of the vehicle. Thus, the fastening position of one end of the restricting member is defined in the vicinity of the inflator and the fastening position of the other end of the restricting member is displaced by a predetermined length on the upper side in the direction of the radius of the inflator with reference to the axis of the inflator. Therefore, the bag is able to ensure protection of the head of an occupant, without being caused to inflate upward more than necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for an air bag mounted in a Vehicle such that a steering wheel rotates with respect to the air bag. The air bag inflates towards an occupant upon sudden decelerations of the vehicle, thereby protecting the occupant's head. The air bag includes a lower portion formed into a substantially straight line restricting the air bag's expanded volume and height to facilitate use with a seat belt.