Abstract: The steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a steering column and a steering wheel having an annular rim, a central hub, and a plurality of spokes joining the rim to the hub. The steering wheel includes a metal member having (a) a rim portion defining a core for the rim of the steering wheel, (b) spoke portions defining the spokes of the steering wheel, and (c) a mounting portion within the hub of the steering wheel which can be coupled to an end of the steering column to mount the steering wheel on the column. The mounting portion of the metal member has a U or V shaped configuration with one leg of the U continuing into the spoke portions of the member and the other leg being secured to the end of the steering column. The mounting portion is also deformable such that its spaced-apart leg sections move toward each other to absorb impact energy when a load exceeding a predetermined load is exerted on the mounting portion through the steering wheel.

Abstract: A safety steering column for a vehicle comprises a rotatable composite shaft extending between the steering wheel assembly and the steering gear assembly for the vehicle. The composite shaft is divided intermediate its ends into two shaft parts and a relatively torsion-stiff joint couples adjacent ends of the two shaft parts. Two more relatively torsion-stiff joints couple opposite ends of the composite shaft to the steering wheel assembly and the steering gear assembly, respectively. The joint coupling together the two parts of the composite shaft is constructed to provide a pivot point radially offset from the central longitudinal axes of the shaft parts. Accordingly, upon application of an axial load on the composite shaft exceeding a predetermined axial load, the shaft parts will pivot relative to each other about the pivot point and the composite shaft will tend to buckle at the joint coupling the two parts of the shaft.

Abstract: A steering column for a vehicle comprises two rotatable stub shafts coupled to a steering wheel for the vehicle and a steering gear for the vehicle, respectively. A rotatable steering shaft extends between the two stub shafts and couplings connect opposite ends of the steering shaft to different ones of the two stub shafts. At least one of the couplings is relatively torsion-stiff and couples the steering shaft to one of the stub shafts so as to define an angle between the shafts. The coupling includes at least two portions that are fabricated of metal plate. The two portions of the coupling are coupled together and are oriented transversely of each other. One of the portions of the coupling is rigidly connected to an end of the steering shaft and the other is rigidly connected to an end of the one stub shaft.