Omega Automation, Inc.

Craig Anthony Walker

Paul Willard Mellander

An apparatus is provided for use in assembling a steering wheel cover, an air bag device and a retainer plate into a single unit. The air bag device includes an inflatable cushion portion and a base plate portion. The steering wheel cover includes a central portion and a plurality of side portions which extend out from the central portion to define with the central portion a pocket for receiving the air bag device. At least one of the side portions has a tab for lockingly engaging the retainer plate. The apparatus comprises: a receiving nest adapted to receive the steering wheel cover; a first expanding device for engaging a first side portion of the steering wheel cover and moving the first side portion outwardly to permit the air bag device to be placed within the pocket; and engagement apparatus for engaging the base plate portion and moving the base plate portion toward the central portion of the steering wheel cover to set the height of the base plate portion within the pocket and after the retainer plate has been positioned on the moved base plate portion effecting engagement of the tab with the retainer plate.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Craig Anthony Walker