Abstract: In order to support an annular member, to which the non-rotatable center hub is connected, on a tubular holder without permitting an axial play of the annular member relative to the tubular holder, an improved measure is disclosed which comprises an annular groove formed about the tubular holder, the rounded bottom surface of the annular groove being tapered toward the major portion of the tubular holder, and a snap ring coaxially disposed in the annular groove with its inner wall contacting with the tapered bottom surface of the annular groove and its inboard side surface slidably contacting with an axial end surface of the annular member.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a steerable vehicle such as an automotive vehicle, wherein a switch support structure positioned internally of the rim portion of a steering wheel and having incorporated therein a switch assembly including various electric switch units to be manually actuated is retained in position independently of the steering wheel and held against rotation with respect to a steering column tube fixed with respect to the body structure of the vehicle and wherein an optical display unit associated with the switch units or some of the switch units is securely supported in position in front of the steering wheel. The switch units are connected to electrically operated vehicular instruments through wire harnesses including those which are passed through the switch support structure and those which are passed through a member secured to the steering column tube.

Abstract: An instrument panel supporting structure having a switch support member provided with manually operated electric switches and positioned inside the rim portion of a steering wheel of a steerable vehicle, wherein the switch support member having recesses therein is rotatably mounted on the steering shaft and a slider support member having a plurality of sliders slidably supported thereon is secured to the steering column tube and wherein the sliders are urged to protrude into the recesses, respectively, in the switch support member so as to provide engagement between the switches and slider support members and to prevent the switch support member from rotation with respect to the slider support member. When the steering wheel is turned and a radial spoke portion of the steering wheel is brought into engagement with any one of the sliders, the particular slider is forced by the spoke portion to retract away from the recess in the switch support member and permits the spoke portion to move past the slider.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a steerable vehicle such as an automotive vehicle, including a steering column tube fixed to the body structure of the vehicle, a steering shaft extending through and rotatable with respect to the column tube, and a steering wheel structure rotatable with the steering shaft, wherein a switch support structure supporting a switch assembly including, for example, a switch for a warning horn is arranged to be rotatable with respect to each of the steering column tube, steering shaft and steering wheel structure and is connected to the steering column tube by means of two flexible lines which are wound in such a manner that the switch support structure is held stationary with respect to the steering column tube irrespective of the turning of the steering wheel structure and the steering shaft.