Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel, the mounting device comprises a mounting portion of a resilient ring for forming, in a locking position of the ring, an element for holding at least one hook on the other of the module or the steering wheel, the resilient ring having an unlocking position in which the mounting portion of the ring is no longer in the zone of interaction with the at least one hook, the device further comprises an element for releasing the ring, connected to one of the module or the steering wheel and arranged so as to move the ring during a movement for extracting the module such that the ring is placed back from the locking position.

Abstract: Vehicle horn control device, embedded on a vehicle steering wheel, comprising: a base part (10); a control part (20), movable between a rest position and a depressed position; elastic return means (31), for pushing back the control part (20) to the rest position,—positioning means (41); an electrical circuit with at least one switch comprising a second contact terminal (51; 151; 251a, 251b; 21, 452), embedded on the control part (20), and a first contact terminal (52; 152; 252; 441), secured to the base part (10), characterized in that the positioning means (41) comprises the initial contact terminal (52; 152; 252; 441) arranged to position the control part (20) in the rest position, so as to close the switch when the control part (20) is in the rest position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel, the mounting device comprises a mounting portion of a resilient ring for forming, in a locking position of the ring, an element for holding at least one hook on the other of the module or the steering wheel, the resilient ring having an unlocking position in which the mounting portion of the ring is no longer in the zone of interaction with the at least one hook, the device further comprises an element for releasing the ring, connected to one of the module or the steering wheel and arranged so as to move the ring during a movement for extracting the module such that the ring is placed back from the locking position.

Abstract: Detection device for a steering wheel of a vehicle, said device being configured to detect contact or proximity of a person with or to the steering wheel, comprising sensors, of which there are only three, of which: a first sensor (21) is intended to be arranged on a left-hand half of a first face of the steering wheel, a second sensor (22) is intended to be arranged on a right-hand half of said first face of the steering wheel, and a third sensor (23) is intended to be arranged on a second face opposed to said first face of the steering wheel, and said first face is a rear face of the steering wheel.

Abstract: Vehicle horn control device, embedded on a vehicle steering wheel, comprising: a base part (10); a control part (20), movable between a rest position and a depressed position; elastic return means (31), for pushing back the control part (20) to the rest position,—positioning means (41); an electrical circuit with at least one switch comprising a second contact terminal (51; 151; 251a, 251b; 21, 452), embedded on the control part (20), and a first contact terminal (52; 152; 252; 441), secured to the base part (10), characterized in that the positioning means (41) comprises the initial contact terminal (52; 152; 252; 441) arranged to position the control part (20) in the rest position, so as to close the switch when the control part (20) is in the rest position.

Abstract: A steering wheel having a steering wheel body (10) having a first force transmitting component, and a horn actuation element. The horn actuation element having a horn actuation surface (23) and having a second force transmitting component. A load cell (30) is provided having a sensitive element that changes at least one of its electrical properties in response to a compression force. The sensitive element placed between the first and second force transmitting components. At least one elastically deformable element is provided between the steering wheel body (10) and the horn actuation element. When a pushing force is applied to the horn actuation surface (23) the force applied to the sensitive element changes.

Abstract: A steering wheel having a steering wheel body (10) having a first force transmitting component, and a horn actuation element. The horn actuation element having a horn actuation surface (23) and having a second force transmitting component. A load cell (30) is provided having a sensitive element that changes at least one of its electrical properties in response to a compression force. The sensitive element placed between the first and second force transmitting components. At least one elastically deformable element is provided between the steering wheel body (10) and the horn actuation element. When a pushing force is applied to the horn actuation surface (23) the force applied to the sensitive element changes.

Abstract: A driver assistance module is designed to be fixed on an automobile steering wheel. The driver assistance module includes a first driver information device and an infrared radiation source arranged to illuminate the driver and forming part of a second information device.

Abstract: A driver assistance module is designed to be fixed on an automobile steering wheel. The driver assistance module includes a first driver information device and an infrared radiation source arranged to illuminate the driver and forming part of a second information device.

Abstract: A steering wheel has a gripping formation including an armature substantially encapsulated by a cover of foamed material and a flexible outer skin provided over and around the cover. The flexible skin may be formed of leather or artificial leather. The steering wheel may include a plastic insert engaged within a fixing groove or recess formed in the cover. At least one edge of the outer skin may be positioned within the fixing groove or recess and fixed to the insert by ultrasonic welding, for example. In a preferred arrangement, two opposed edges of the outer skin may be both received within the fixing groove or recess and fixed to the insert therein by ultrasonic welding.

Abstract: A steering wheel has a rim having an armature encapsulated by a cover of resilient material. The cover has a fixing groove or recess formed therein so as to extend around the rim generally circumferentially with respect to the steering wheel. An outer skin is formed from flexible material and is provided over and around the cover such that two opposed edges of the outer skin are both positioned within the fixing groove or recess and fixed therein. The outer skin includes at least one seam terminating in a seam-end located along one of the opposed edges of the outer skin such that each edge of the outer skin positioned within the fixing groove or recess has at least one seam-end, and wherein each seam-end formed along one of the edges is circumferentially offset around the rim from each seam-end formed along the other edge.

Abstract: A steering wheel has a rim with an armature substantially encapsulated by foam. The foam includes a major foam member and a separate minor foam member. The major foam member has a cross-sectional profile effective to cover a major cross-sectional extent of the armature and define a gap in the foam member adjacent the armature. The gap has a maximum cross-sectional width which is equal to or less than the cross-sectional width of the armature, and is substantially filled by said minor foam member.

Abstract: A steering wheel has a rim having an armature encapsulated by a cover of resilient material. The cover has a fixing groove or recess formed therein so as to extend around the rim generally circumferentially with respect to the steering wheel. An outer skin is formed from flexible material and is provided over and around the cover such that two opposed edges of the outer skin are both positioned within the fixing groove or recess and fixed therein. The outer skin includes at least one seam terminating in a seam-end located along one of the opposed edges of the outer skin such that each edge of the outer skin positioned within the fixing groove or recess has at least one seam-end, and wherein each seam-end formed along one of the edges is circumferentially offset around the rim from each seam-end formed along the other edge.

Abstract: A steering wheel has a gripping formation including an armature substantially encapsulated by a cover of foamed material and a flexible outer skin provided over and around the cover. The flexible skin may be formed of leather or artificial leather. The steering wheel may include a plastic insert engaged within a fixing groove or recess formed in the cover. At least one edge of the outer skin may be positioned within the fixing groove or recess and fixed to the insert by ultrasonic welding, for example. In a preferred arrangement, two opposed edges of the outer skin may be both received within the fixing groove or recess and fixed to the insert therein by ultrasonic welding.

Abstract: A steering wheel has a gripping portion including an armature substantially encapsulated by a cover, and an outer skin provided over the cover. The outer skin comprises a layer of fabric material defining first and second opposed surfaces. The first surface of the fabric material has a polymeric coating. The first surface is attached to the outermost surface of the cover and the second surface defines a peripheral surface of the gripping portion. Preferably, the second surface of the fabric layer is substantially uncoated. In preferred arrangements, the second surface of the fabric layer has a surface relief pattern substantially defined by a weave of the fabric and thus defines a peripheral surface pattern.

Abstract: A steering wheel has a rim with an armature substantially encapsulated by foam. The foam includes a major foam member and a separate minor foam member. The major foam member has a cross-sectional profile effective to cover a major cross-sectional extent of the armature and define a gap in the foam member adjacent the armature. The gap has a maximum cross-sectional width which is equal to or less than the cross-sectional width of the armature, and is substantially filled by said minor foam member.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for mounting an air-bag module to a hub of a steering wheel. The hub being provided with apertures and cutaway sections and a spring. The spring is moveable from a release position in which parts of the spring do not extend across the apertures or the cutaway sections to a locking position in which parts of the spring extend across the apertures and the cutaway sections. The spring is initially deformed and is held in the release position against blocking elements. The air-bag module is provided with hooks which are positioned on the air-bag module to correspond to the positions of the apertures and the cutaway sections on the hub. The air-bag module is provided with an actuation member which, when the hooks are inserted into the apertures, engages part of the spring to urge the spring out of engagement with the blocking elements.

Abstract: A steering-wheel arrangement is disclosed which comprises a steering-wheel having a first gear element. A second gear element is provided which is mounted on a steering column. The first and second gear elements inter-engage one another and the arrangement is further provided with an anti-backlash gear which is mounted on one of the gear elements. The anti-backlash gear has teeth configures to as to align substantially with the teeth of the gear element upon which it is mounted, and the anti-backlash gear is biased relative to the gear element upon which it is mounted towards a position in which the teeth of the anti-backlash gear become displaced from the corresponding teeth of the gear element. This gear arrangement has been found to provide improved “feel” for a person driving a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for mounting an air-bag module to a hub of a steering wheel. The hub being provided with apertures and cutaway sections and a spring. The spring is moveable from a release position in which parts of the spring do not extend across the apertures or the cutaway sections to a locking position in which parts of the spring extend across the apertures and the cutaway sections. The spring is initially deformed and is held in the release position against blocking elements. The air-bag module is provided with hooks which are positioned on the air-bag module to correspond to the positions of the apertures and the cutaway sections on the hub. The air-bag module is provided with an actuation member which, when the hooks are inserted into the apertures, engages part of the spring to urge the spring out of engagement with the blocking elements.

Abstract: A steering wheel arrangement is disclosed which incorporates a fixed element (20). The fixed element carries a first annular bearing (33) which supports a steering wheel for rotation relative to the fixed element (20). The fixed element also carries a second bearing (38) which rotatably supports a component to be connected to part of the steering column of a motor vehicle. Each of the bearings are retained, to the fixed element (20), by means of a first resilient retaining element (40), and the first bearing (33) is also retained to the steering wheel by a second resilient retaining element (41).