Abstract: A steering wheel core structure comprises a hub core, polygonal in cross section with diametrically opposed, parallel peripheral faces; a spoke core with a U-shaped central portion brought into engagement with the peripheral surfaces of the hub core to clamp the same and held at the central portion between an enlarged end of the hub core and a hub bracket. The hub bracket has a finger engaged in a peripheral cut of the hub core so as to prevent relative rotation between the hub bracket and the hub core, a pair of upstanding portions engageable with upstanding portions of the spoke core so as to prevent relative rotation between the spoke core and the hub core, and a pair of horn contact portions and a pair of hub cover mounting portions cooperating to hold therebetween radial portions of the spoke core so as to prevent the spoke core from falling off from the hub bracket.

Abstract: A hub portion of a steering wheel has coaxial upper and lower sleeve sections. Upper and lower internal gears are mounted on the sleeve sections by way of bearings. A bracket is fixedly mounted on the hub portion and rotatably carries thereon a pinion meshing with the upper and lower internal hears. The internal gears are made of the same material as that of which the bracket is made.

Abstract: A pair of pinions are mounted on a hub portion of a steering wheel in a manner to be movable toward and away from a pair of matched internal gears. The pinions are urged by a pair of leaf springs toward the internal gears to eliminate backlash therebetween.

Abstract: A steering wheel center pad is formed to have a pair of coaxial upper and lower sleeve section on which a pair of upper and lower internal gears are rotatably mounted, respectively. The lower internal gear is held stationary relative to a column by means of one or more tapered anchor legs provided to the lower internal gear and holes provided in a combination switch fixedly attached to the column.

Abstract: In a steering wheel mounted heater, there is provided a heat conductive sheet directly in contact with the outer surface of the rim portion. This conductive sheet is then intimately covered first with an electrically insulating sheet and secondly with an electrically heat generating member. This configuration is provided in order to quickly achieve uniform temperature distribution on a given zone of the steering wheel which zone is most likely gripped by the driver during the vehicle driving.