Steering wheel

• US 6,231,074 B1
• Filed: 03/29/1999
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Vian, Paolo
• Primary Examiner(s): Olszewski, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JASMIN, LYNDA C
• Application Number:
  US09/281,441
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 280/731, 280/728.2, 280/750, 745/52
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2037 the module or a major component thereof being yieldably mounted, e.g. for actuating the horn switch or for protecting the driver in a non-deployment situation horn switches integrated in steering wheel covers with tear lines B60R21/21658
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/04 Hand wheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels

Abstract

A steering wheel is provided with an airbag. The steering wheel has a central part for connection to a steering wheel attachment, having a cavity for housing a module comprising the airbag safety device and a horn, an outer ring and a plurality of substantially radial spokes connecting the outer ring to the central part of the steering wheel. Around module there is provided a metal peripheral part fixed to the plurality of spokes by means of connecting means so as to give the steering wheel a sporting appearance.

Claims

1. A steering wheel provided with an airbag comprising a central part for connection to a steering wheel attachment, having a cavity housing a moveable module capable of axial movement to actuate a horn comprising

the airbag,

an outer ring

a plurality of substantially radial spokes connecting the outer ring to the central part of the steering wheel, and

a peripheral metal part around the module fixed to the plurality of spokes by connecting means, the peripheral metal part covering a top surface of the spokes so as to give the steering wheel a sporting appearance.

2. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral metal part has a circular shape and has radial projections fixed to the plurality of spokes by the connecting means, the peripheral metal part is attached to the module to form a single central unit and to provide the module with the possibility of performing an axial movement.

3. The steering wheel according to claim 2 further comprising arched projections laterally bounding the cavity wherein the peripheral metal part covers the arched projections.

4. The steering wheel according to claim 1 further comprising arched projections laterally bounding the cavity wherein the peripheral metal part covers the arched projections.

5. A steering wheel provided with an airbag comprising a central part for connection to a steering wheel attachment, having a cavity housing a moveable module capable of axial movement to activate a horn and comprising

the airbag,

an outer ring

a plurality of substantially radial spokes connecting the outer ring to the central part of the steering wheel, and

a peripheral metal part around the module fixed to the plurality of spokes by connecting means, the peripheral metal part has a circular shape and has radial projections fixed to the plurality of spokes by the connecting means, wherein the peripheral metal part is attached to the module to form a single central unit and to provide the module with the possibility of performing an axial movement.

6. The steering wheel according to claim 5 further comprising arched projections laterally bounding the cavity, wherein the peripheral metal part covers a top surface of the spokes and the arched projections.