Abstract: A flexible steering wheel rim having an upper portion with a stack of arcuate leaf springs canted forwardly and toward the steering wheel. The leaf springs are mounted to a seat in the lower portion of the rim which has a flat surface inclined fowardly and toward the center of the steering wheel. A clamp circumscribes the wire and leaf springs and has a rearward wall which is pitched rearwardly and toward the center of the steering wheel. The leaf springs are deformable upon impact in a forward or rearward direction parallel to the axis of the steering wheel. The leaf springs flex when a rear axial force is present such that they become canted rearward and toward the center of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A flexible steering wheel rim having an upper portion with a pair of arcuate leaf springs. Each leaf spring is mounted to a seat in the lower portion of the rim. The seat is interposed between the two leaf springs such that a gap is formed between the leaf springs which narrows as the leaf springs converge towards each other away from the seat.

Abstract: A steering wheel for a motor vehicle according to the present disclosure has a flexible rim with a spring metal core. The rim core comprises a flat annular leaf spring that lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel. A pair of arcuate leaf springs overlay the annular leaf spring adjacent the outer ends of each of the spokes of the wheel whereby the stresses in the annular rim core where it is attached to the spokes are reduced when the rim is deflected.