Abstract: A steering wheel having a stationary portion supporting a DAB or similar module, comprises an armature (1) having a hub (2, H) directly mounted to a vehicle steering shaft and provided with an opening (3) through which a coiled element (5) passes. A non-rotating housing (41) is assembled with the hub (2) and the coiled element (5) connects the non-rotating housing (41) to a fixed part (61) of the vehicle and carries one or more electric wires to the DAB. The coiled element (5) is screwing or unscrewing itself to or from the hub (2, H) via the opening (3) when the steering wheel is rotated. A gear assembly is provided for supporting the stationary portion (41) when the steering wheel is rotated.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly has a steering wheel armature, a hub portion and spokes. The hub portion is fixable to a conventional steering column shaft. The steering wheel assembly has a first drum supported on the steering column shaft, to freely rotate about only the axis of the steering column shaft. A second drum is freely rotatable with respect to the first drum only about a second axis. The second axis is parallel to and spaced apart from or incident to of the steering column shaft. Stationary means are provided for supporting the second drum on the first drum. Both the first drum and the second drum are rotated around their respective axes by the spokes engaging their sidewalls. The support provides a stationary support member onto which an airbag module or other devices can be mounted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering wheel having a stationary hub mounted portion. The steering wheel has an armature with a hub and is coupled to a vehicle steering shaft. The hub is provided with an opening through which a coiled element passes. A non-rotating housing is assembled with the hub. The coiled element connects the non-rotating housing to a stationary component of the vehicle. The coiled element screwing or unscrewing itself to or from the hub via the opening when the steering wheel is rotated.

Abstract: As improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel has an airbag module housing having an airbag cover, an internally stored airbag. The airbag module housing has two pairs of attachment legs. A base plate assembly has a base plate with a pair of mounting brackets pivotally attached at ends of the mounting brackets to the hinge supports projecting from the base plate and being linearly movable relative to the hinge supports. A resilient member such as a spring returns the airbag module housing to a resting position upon activation of a horn. The resilient member is interposed between one mounting bracket and the base plate. The pair of mounting brackets are connected by a pin and a slot. Each end of a mounting bracket is attached to an attachment leg of the airbag module housing. Movement of the airbag module housing assembly is constrained to a displacement parallel to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: An assembly of a steering wheel with static airbag module has a rotor portion and a stator portion. A first gear and a second gear are at least partially superimposed. An intermediate supporting element is located between first and second gears with the gears directly axially coupled. An intermediate element has a portion that defines a path for the means for axially coupling said first and second gear to temporarily disengage them from the gears when a relative rotation between the intermediate element and the first and second gears occurs.

Abstract: As improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel has an airbag module housing having an airbag cover, an internally stored airbag. The airbag module housing has two pairs of attachment legs. A base plate assembly has a base plate with a pair of mounting brackets pivotally attached at ends of the mounting brackets to the hinge supports projecting from the base plate and being linearly movable relative to the hinge supports. A resilient member such as a spring returns the airbag module housing to a resting position upon activation of a horn. The resilient member is interposed between one mounting bracket and the base plate. The pair of mounting brackets are connected by a pin and a slot. Each end of a mounting bracket is attached to an attachment leg of the airbag module housing. Movement of the airbag module housing assembly is constrained to a displacement parallel to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly having a molded armature with outwardly extending spokes for mounting on a steering column. Airbag module engagement members extend from an airbag module housing to engage corresponding armature engagement members. The airbag module rests on a multiple of switch assemblies while the engagement members are separated by a clearance. The engagement members are only in contact if the airbag is fired. A clearance between each armature engagement member and each corresponding airbag module engagement member assures that there is no interference that may result in undesirable noise or vibration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering wheel having a stationary hub mounted portion. The steering wheel has an armature with a hub and is coupled to a vehicle steering shaft. The hub is provided with an opening through which a coiled element passes. A non-rotating housing is assembled with the hub. The coiled element connects the non-rotating housing to a stationary component of the vehicle. The coiled element screwing or unscrewing itself to or from the hub via the opening when the steering wheel is rotated.

Abstract: An assembly of a steering wheel with static airbag module has a rotor portion and a stator portion. A first gear and a second gear are at least partially superimposed. An intermediate supporting element is located between first and second gears with the gears directly axially coupled. An intermediate element has a portion that defines a path for the means for axially coupling said first and second gear to temporarily disengage them from the gears when a relative rotation between the intermediate element and the first and second gears occurs.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a decorative components for vehicle interiors, comprises the steps of pre-forming a sheet of formable veneer material under pressure and heath, positioning the pre-formed sheet in a mold half of an injection mold comprising a cavity; holding the sheet in position on the mold half, closing said mold and injecting into the cavity one or more thermoplastic materials on the back of the veneer sheet to provide a support layer.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly having a molded armature with outwardly extending spokes for mounting on a steering column. Airbag module engagement members extend from an airbag module housing to engage corresponding armature engagement members. The airbag module rests on a multiple of switch assemblies while the engagement members are separated by a clearance. The engagement members are only in contact if the airbag is fired. A clearance between each armature engagement member and each corresponding airbag module engagement member assures that there is no interference that may result in undesirable noise or vibration.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly having a molded armature with outwardly extending spokes for mounting on a steering column. Airbag module engagement members extend from an airbag module housing to engage corresponding armature engagement members. The airbag module rests on a multiple of switch assemblies while the engagement members are separated by a clearance. The engagement members are only in contact if the airbag is fired. A clearance between each armature engagement member and each corresponding airbag module engagement member assures that there is no interference that may result in undesirable noise or vibration.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly having a molded armature with outwardly extending spokes for mounting on a steering column. Airbag module engagement members extend from an airbag module housing to engage corresponding armature engagement members. The airbag module rests on a multiple of switch assemblies while the engagement members are separated by a clearance. The engagement members are only in contact if the airbag is fired. A clearance between each armature engagement member and each corresponding airbag module engagement member assures that there is no interference that may result in undesirable noise or vibration.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly having a molded armature with outwardly extending spokes for mounting on a steering column. Airbag module engagement members extend from an airbag module housing to engage corresponding armature engagement members. The airbag module rests on a multiple of switch assemblies while the engagement members are separated by a clearance. The engagement members are only in contact if the airbag is fired. A clearance between each armature engagement member and each corresponding airbag module engagement member assures that there is no interference that may result in undesirable noise or vibration.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly having a molded armature with outwardly extending spokes for mounting on a steering column. Airbag engagement members extend from an airbag module housing to engage corresponding hub engagement members. The airbag module rests on a multiple of switch assemblies while the engagement members are separated by a clearance. The engagement members are only in contact if the airbag is fired. A clearance between each hub engagement member and each corresponding airbag engagement member assures that there is no interference that may result in undesirable noise or vibration.

Abstract: A method for installing an airbag assembly within a steering wheel assembly includes locating an airbag module engagement member with a corresponding armature engagement member. Once aligned, an operator presses downward on the airbag cover until switch engagement members engage their corresponding switch assembly receivers within the airbag cover. A clearance is formed between each armature engagement members and the corresponding airbag module engagement members when the module is mounted to the molded armature. Thus the switch assemblies support the airbag module.

Abstract: A horn actuating device for a steering wheel has a plurality of helical springs that return an airbag module to a raised resting position. Each helical spring has a free upper end that moves with the airbag module that also acts as a mobile electrical contact cooperating with the fixed electrical contact to bring about actuation of the horn.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly having a molded armature with outwardly extending spokes for mounting on a steering column. Airbag engagement members extend from an airbag module housing to engage corresponding hub engagement members. The airbag module rests on a multiple of switch assemblies while the engagement members are separated by a clearance. The engagement members are only in contact if the airbag is fired. A clearance between each hub engagement member and each corresponding airbag engagement member assures that there is no interference that may result in undesirable noise or vibration.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly having a molded armature with outwardly extending spokes for mounting on a steering column. Airbag module engagement members extend from an airbag module housing to engage corresponding armature engagement members. The airbag module rests on a multiple of switch assemblies while the engagement members are separated by a clearance. The engagement members are only in contact if the airbag is fired. A clearance between each armature engagement member and each corresponding airbag module engagement member assures that there is no interference that may result in undesirable noise or vibration.

Abstract: A method for installing an airbag assembly within a steering wheel assembly includes locating an airbag module engagement member with a corresponding armature engagement member. Once aligned, an operator presses downward on the airbag cover until switch engagement members engage their corresponding switch assembly receivers within the airbag cover. A clearance is formed between each armature engagement members and the corresponding airbag module engagement members when the module is mounted to the molded armature. Thus the switch assemblies support the airbag module.