Abstract: A horn actuator for a vehicle horn mounts to a steering wheel hub. The horn actuator has a number of support posts that each pass through a switch cup and mount into the steering wheel hub. A switch lies within the switch cup and a spring biases the switch cup away from the steering wheel hub. An air bag plate presses against the switch cup and biases the spring to cause the switch to make contact when a force is applied to the air bag. When activated, the switch relays electricity to a vehicle horn. The support posts are connected to each other by a connector portion that provides rigidity to the structure and provides a surface for wiring of the electrical switches. Additional support posts, cups and switches are connected by additional connector portions.

Abstract: A steering wheel includes a rim assembly having a pair of preformed half-shells secured to the steering wheel skeleton. Each half-shell includes an annular rigid substrate having an outer surface bordered by an inner and an outer peripheral edge, and a cover that overlies both the substrate's outer surface and its peripheral edges. When the two half-shells are mounted to the skeleton, the covered peripheral edges abut one another to provide finished inner and outer peripheral seams on the rim. Nonfunctional stitching in the covers, advantageously provided prior to covering the substrates, cooperate to simulate a functionally-stitched seam on the finished rim assembly. A decorative trim element, such as a trim ring, is mechanically captured between the opposed peripheral edges of the two half-shells. An internal passage defined within the rim assembly is advantageously used in conjunction with a Peltier device to heat and cool the rim assembly.

Abstract: A horn actuator for a vehicle horn mounts to a steering wheel hub. The horn actuator has a number of support posts that each pass through a switch cup and mount into the steering wheel hub. A switch lies within the switch cup and a spring biases the switch cup away from the steering wheel hub. An air bag plate presses against the switch cup and biases the spring to cause the switch to make contact when a force is applied to the air bag. When activated, the switch relays electricity to a vehicle horn. The support posts are connected to each other by a connector portion that provides rigidity to the structure and provides a surface for wiring of the electrical switches. Additional support posts, cups and switches are connected by additional connector portions.