Vehicle steering wheel arrangement

• US 5,697,638 A
• Filed: 04/01/1996
• Issued: 12/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Port, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric D.
• Application Number:
  US08/624,385
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/731, 280/732
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns

Abstract

A Vehicle steering wheel arrangement that includes a steering column (1) with a spindle (2) having fixed to its upper end a mounting hub (3). A steering wheel (8) is fastened to the mounting hub (3) to a free face (5) of which is attached an air-bag module (6). The steering wheel (8) has an integral cover (9) for the air-bag module (6) and has a cavity (10) beneath the cover (9) to permit the steering wheel (8) to be mounted over the air-bag module (6) and fastened to the mounting hub (3) after the attachment of the air-bag module (6) to the mounting hub (3) fixed to the spindle (2).

Claims

1. A vehicle steering wheel arrangement comprising:

a steering column;

a steering spindle mounted in the steering column and having an upper end;

a mounting hub fixed to the steering spindle upper end and having a free face;

an air bag module directly fastened to the mounting hub free face; and

a steering wheel fastened to the mounting hub, the steering wheel having an integral cover defining a cavity receiving the air bag module.

2. A vehicle steering wheel arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steering wheel comprises, at least in part, a unitary moulding incorporating both the cover and the cavity.

3. A vehicle steering wheel arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover is provided with at least one area of weakness.

4. A vehicle steering wheel arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting hub comprises a cylinder having a peripheral flange and wherein the steering wheel is fastened to the mounting hub at the peripheral flange.

5. A vehicle steering wheel arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the cover is provided with at least one peripheral line of weakness.

6. A vehicle steering wheel arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the cover is provided with at least one transverse line of weakness.