Abstract: The rim and spoke armatures of an automotive steering wheel are molded into a plastic body which presents to the driver an unbroken front surface. The plastic body of the steering wheel includes a cavity in its back surface which is closed by a hub plate attached to the steering column. The cavity and the hub plate serve as an airbag module and house the inflator and the folded airbag therein. The front surface of the steering wheel body may be scored, preferably on its hidden side, to form tear lines to release the expanding airbag.

Abstract: A horn pad for a steering wheel incorporating an air bag device. The horn pad comprises a pad main body, a planar switch opposed to a lower side of a horn operating portion and a support plate. A plurality of pressing protrusions are formed on the lower surface of the horn operating portion. The support plate is urged upwardly by the air bag and comprises a first support plate and a second support plate separatable from each other. Work preventive protrusions are formed passing through the planar switch and the first support plate between the second support plate and a lower surface of the horn operating portion such that a non-press-contact state can be maintained between the pressing protrusion and the planar switch when the horn operating portion bears no load. Accordingly, even if the support plate should be urged upwardly by an air bag or the like, this will not cause erroneous operation of the planar switch and, in addition, the thickness of the support plate can be made as thin as possible.