Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel (10) comprises a steering wheel armature (14) having adjoining first and second portions (20 and 60) and a decorative layer (30) covering the first portion (20) of the armature. The decorative layer (30) has an annular groove (44). A band (80) is disposed in the groove (44) in the decorative layer (30). A wrapable material (90) covers the second portion (60) of the armature (14). The wrapable material (90) includes an end portion (92) folded around the band (80) and disposed in the groove (44) to form a junction of the wrapable material and the decorative layer (30).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a vehicle steering wheel (12) having a hub portion (54) that includes an axially extending inner sleeve (80) having a circumferentially spaced plurality of openings (86). A vehicle steering shaft (14) has an end portion (120) that includes a circumferentially extending arcuate groove (124). A plurality of bearing elements (110) are at least partially disposed in the openings (86) in the inner sleeve (80). The bearing elements (110) are movable in a radial direction within the openings (86) between a disconnected condition and a connected condition. The disconnected condition permits relative axial movement between the steering wheel (12) and the steering shaft (14). The connected condition blocks relative axial movement between the steering wheel (12) and the steering shaft (14). An axially movable collar (130) is engageable with the bearing elements (110) to move the bearing elements in the radial direction from the disconnected condition to the connected condition.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for mounting on a vehicle steering shaft which rotates about an axis to steer the vehicle and which has a threaded end portion. The assembly includes a steering wheel armature (10), a hub (34) fixedly connected to the steering wheel armature (10) and for non-rotatable attachment to the steering shaft, an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (50), an inflator (15) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant restraint (50), a frame (24) supporting the vehicle occupant restraint (50) and the inflator (15) on the steering wheel armature (10), and a cover (39) covering the steering wheel armature (10), the vehicle occupant restraint (50), and the inflator (15). A rotatable fastener (30), when rotated, axially forces the assembly onto the steering shaft with the hub (34) non-rotatably attached to the steering shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an assembly to be mounted on a vehicle steering shaft which rotates about an axis to steer the vehicle and which has a threaded end portion. The assembly includes a steering wheel armature (10), a hub (34) fixedly connected to the steering wheel armature (10) and for non-rotatable attachment to the steering shaft, an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (50), an inflator (15) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant restraint (50), a frame (24) supporting the vehicle occupant restraint (50), and the inflator (15) on the steering wheel armature (10), and a cover (35) covering the steering wheel armature (10), the vehicle occupant restraint (50), and the inflator (15). A rotatable fastener (30) axially forces the assembly onto the steering shaft with the hub (34) non-rotatably attached to the steering shaft. The fastener (30) has an attachment portion (33) for threaded engagement with the threaded end portion of the steering shaft.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for mounting on a vehicle steering shaft which rotates about an axis to steer the vehicle and which has a threaded end portion. The assembly includes a steering wheel armature (10), a hub (34) fixedly connected to the steering wheel armature (10) and for non-rotatable attachment to the steering shaft, an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (50), an inflator (15) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant restraint (50), a frame (24) supporting the vehicle occupant restraint (50) and the inflator (15) on the steering wheel armature (10), and a cover (35) covering the steering wheel armature (10), the vehicle occupant restraint (50), and the inflator (15). A rotatable fastener (30) axially forces the assembly onto the steering shaft with the hub (34) non-rotatably attached to the steering shaft. The fastener (30) has a portion (33) for threaded engagement with the threaded end portion of the steering shaft.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for mounting on a vehicle steering shaft which rotates about an axis to steer the vehicle. The assembly includes a steering wheel rim (34), an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (47), an inflator (48) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant restraint, and an integral cover (38, 39) covering the steering wheel rim, the vehicle occupant restraint and the inflator. The integral cover (38, 39) defines a chamber in which the inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (47) is located. A mounting (31) is fixedly connected to the steering wheel rim (34) and supports the inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (47) and the inflator (48). The mounting (31) has a portion (58) which receives the steering shaft and which is non-rotatably attachable to the steering shaft. A threaded fastener (61) fastens the mounting (31) to the steering shaft. The fastener (61) engages the mounting (31) and engages the steering shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a channel (51) within the housing, and a plurality of spur gears (55b, 56, 57, 58) disposed within the channel and in gear meshing engagement. A first one (58) of the plurality of spur gears protrudes from the housing. First and second meshing bevel gears (54, 55a) impart rotation to the plurality of spur gears. The first bevel gear (55a) is rotatable about an axis coaxial with a second one (55b) of the plurality of spur gears. The first bevel gear (55a) is fixed for rotation with the second spur gear (55b). The second bevel gear (54) has a drive connection (60) which, when rotated, causes rotation of the plurality of spur gears by rotating the first and second bevel gears.