Abstract: A pad for a steering wheel includes a membrane switch forming member and a cover member. The switch forming member includes a switch body and a support plate. The switch body has a plurality of conductive thin metal sheets and an insulating space interposed between the metal sheets. The support plate is made of rigid synthetic resin for supporting the switch body on its upper face and is formed in its outer peripheral edge with a plurality of mounting holes extending vertically. The cover member covers the air bag of an air bag device and is formed with a rupture portion adapted to be ruptured when the air bag is inflated, and mounting ribs projecting from the back face thereof and engaged with the mounting holes of the support plate. At least one of the outer peripheral edge of the support plate and the back face of the cover member is formed with gap regulating projections for setting a predetermined gap between the upper face of the support plate back face of the cover member.

Abstract: An air bag device 1 is arranged at a steering wheel W. In the air bag device 1, a large door 12 and a planar horn switch 28 can be arranged at a ceiling 10 of a pad 9 with no disadvantage. The air bag device 1 is arranged with a horn switch 28 and a support plate 33 between an air bag 2 and the pad 9. The switch 28 and a support portion 34 of the support plate 33 are constituted in a planar shape substantially equal to that of the openable door 12 of the ceiling 10 of the pad. The support plate 33 is provided with an attaching leg 39 placed along a side wall 17 of the pad. The support plate 33 is attached to a bag holder 19 by the attaching leg 39. Positioning recesses 36 and positioning projections 14 for engaging with each other are formed at the support portion 34 and the door 12.

Abstract: A pad for a steering wheel includes a membrane switch forming member and a cover member. The switch forming member includes a switch body and a support plate. The switch body has a plurality of conductive thin metal sheets and an insulating space interposed between the metal sheets. The support plate is made of rigid synthetic resin for supporting the switch body on its upper face and is formed in its outer peripheral edge with a plurality of mounting holes extending vertically. The cover member covers the air bag of an air bag device and is formed with a rupture portion adapted to be ruptured when the air bag is inflated, and mounting ribs projecting from the back face thereof and engaged with the mounting holes of the support plate. At least one of the outer peripheral edge of the support plate and the back face of the cover member is formed with gap regulating projections for setting a predetermined gap between the upper face of the support plate back face of the cover member.

Abstract: A steering wheel pad is provided which includes a non-conductive inner member. The pad has a pressure sensitive horn switch disposed on the inner member. The horn switch has terminals. The pad includes a non-conductive outer member covering surfaces of the inner member and the horn switch. An air bag device is accommodated in the inner member. A conductive bag support is provided with the air bag device for attaching the air bag device to the inner member. The pad has a conductive bracket and a conductive coupling member having a rod section and engaging sections at opposing ends thereof. The bracket is disposed at an outer side of the outer member. The rod section of the coupling member is inserted into bores of the bag support, inner member, terminals, outer member and bracket.

Abstract: The liquid level sensor comprising a tubular case with an inner surface, a base plate having a wiring and disposed in the case so as to extend lengthwise of the case is disclosed. A switch member is disposed on the base plate and is electrically connected with the wiring. A float is disposed outside of the case and is movable in accordance with a displacement of the liquid surface of the liquid in the reservoir tank. A driving member is disposed on the float so as to drive the switch member. A retaining member is disposed on at least one of the inner surface of the case and the base plate so as to support and secure the base plate in the case.

Abstract: A relay mechanism for a steering wheel comprising a plurality of slip rings disposed isolated from each other in a circular track having a steering shaft as its center, and sliders, one provided at each slip ring. It further includes an arcuate common line slip ring extending so as to have a predetermined central angle, and a common line slider sliding on the common line slip ring with the steering shaft as its center, the common line slider being positioned at the midpoint of the common slip ring when the steering wheel is at its straight travel position. When the steering wheel is turned over more than a predetermined angle from its travel position, the common line connecting the slip rings and a power source is rendered non-conductive thereby to disable the signal transmission between the slip rings and electric devices.