Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect a driver side occupant of a vehicle having a steering yoke includes an airbag mounted to the steering yoke. The airbag is inflatable from a stored condition concealed in the steering yoke to a deployed condition in which the airbag is positioned between the steering yoke and the occupant. The apparatus also includes an airbag wrap for packaging the airbag in the stored condition. The airbag wrap is configured to bias the airbag to deploy initially in an initial deployment direction transverse to a steering axis of the steering yoke through a deployment opening defined by the airbag wrap and a pleat formed in the airbag wrap and secured with a tear stitch. The pleat is configured to initially reduce the size of the deployment opening, which limits initial deployment of the airbag through the deployment opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect a driver side occupant of a vehicle having a steering yoke includes an airbag mounted to the steering yoke. The airbag is inflatable from a stored condition concealed in the steering yoke to a deployed condition in which the airbag is positioned between the steering yoke and the occupant. The apparatus also includes an airbag wrap for packaging the airbag in the stored condition. The airbag wrap is configured to bias the airbag to deploy initially in an initial deployment direction transverse to a steering axis of the steering yoke through a deployment opening defined by the airbag wrap and a pleat formed in the airbag wrap and secured with a tear stitch. The pleat is configured to initially reduce the size of the deployment opening, which limits initial deployment of the airbag through the deployment opening.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to a vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions. At least one of the first and second rim portions is pivotable about a pivot axis between a steering position and a folded position. At least one linear actuator is connected to the support member and operably connected to at least one of the first and second rim portions. Actuation of the linear actuator pivots at least one of the first and second rim portions about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions that are pivotable about first and second pivot axes, respectively, between a steering position and a folded position. At least one linear actuator is connected to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions. Actuation of the linear actuator pivots the first and second rim portions about the first and second pivot axes.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to a vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions. At least one of the first and second rim portions is pivotable about a pivot axis between a steering position and a folded position. At least one linear actuator is connected to the support member and operably connected to at least one of the first and second rim portions. Actuation of the linear actuator pivots at least one of the first and second rim portions about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions that are pivotable about first and second pivot axes, respectively, between a steering position and a folded position. At least one linear actuator is connected to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions. Actuation of the linear actuator pivots the first and second rim portions about the first and second pivot axes.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to a vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions that are pivotable about at least one pivot axis between a steering position and a folded position. At least one gear drive is rotatable relative to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions. Rotation of the gear drive causes each of the first and second rim portions to pivot about the at least one pivot axis between the steering and folded positions.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to a vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions that are pivotable about at least one pivot axis between a steering position and a folded position. At least one gear drive is rotatable relative to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions. Rotation of the gear drive causes each of the first and second rim portions to pivot about the at least one pivot axis between the steering and folded positions.