Abstract: A steering wheel mountable horn switch is provided which can be operated by either a substantially downward depression of a horn button or by a tilting of the horn button. The switch includes a stationary contact plate, a movable contact plate which is disposed above the staitonary contact plate and is urged away from the stationary contact plate, a device for electrically insulating the movable contact plate from accidental electrical contact with an upper side of the stationary contact plate and a horn button which is disposed vertically above the movable contact plate. The horn button includes a stem mounted to an underside thereof which extends through through-holes defined in each of the contact plates. Finally, a plate-shaped member is fixedly mounted at one end thereof to the horn button stem.

Abstract: A steering wheel having an operating portion, a hub portion, a spoke portion, an impact energy absorbing member located on the hub portion for absorbing impact energy, and a pad including a hard insert and a soft cover member integrally covering the insert for covering at least an impact energy absorbing member and a spoke portion. The insert has a plurality of divided parts or a portion or portions of thin wall section to improve an impact energy absorbing effect of the impact energy absorbing member independently of the rigidity of the pad, without the deterioration of the pad.

Abstract: An impact energy absorber of a steering wheel is formed of a thin metal sheet and is disposed within a cover pad above a boss plate in a boss portion of the steering wheel. The impact energy absorber is composed of an annular base portion which is supported by a supporting member above the boss plate with a predetermined inner space between the base portion and the boss plate, and a plurality of leg portions which are protruded inwardly from the inner periphery of the base portion and are thereafter bent upward so as to be brought into contact with the inner wall of the upper portion of the cover pad. When impact is applied to the cover pad, the impact energy absorber absorbs the impact energy by deforming the lower portion of each leg portion by bending it from the inner periphery of the base portion and inserting it to the inner space between the base portion and the boss plate.

Abstract: A steering ring core is fabricated by telescopically assembling into a ring a plurality of arcuate alternating solid connecting elements and tubular steering ring elements and welding radiating spoke elements at their outer ends to the solid connecting elements. The steering ring elements are secured to the connecting elements by squeeze-forming respective portions of the steering ring elements into external indentations formed in the connecting elements.