Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Larry E Flora

Barry C Worrell

Paul M Landis

Harold W Morgan

A motor vehicle steering wheel having a structural frame including a metal hub, a metal rim, a hollow, thin-walled metal tube having opposite distal ends rigidly connected to the rim, and a thick-walled metal sleeve disposed around a center portion of the metal tube. The metal sleeve and the center portion of the metal tube are squeezed concurrently such that each defines an oval shape in cross section in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the metal tube and the metal tube is mechanically interlocked with the metal sleeve. The metal sleeve is resistance welded to the metal hub whereby the metal tube on opposite sides of the metal sleeve defines a pair of low mass, hollow spokes of the structural frame and the sleeve defines a pair of spoke bases whereat the spokes are rigidly connected to the hub.

Steering wheel for motor vehicle

An inflatable restraint module mounting mechanism is disclosed for use in mounting an inflatable restraint module to a support structure such as the hub portion of a steering wheel. The inflatable restraint module is provided with a plurality of mounting members which are adapted to pass through and be retained within apertures in a support plate. The mounting members each include a slot for receiving a spring which traverses across the apertures of the support plate. The slots are preferably sized such that the mounting members are supported for limited movement in a direction longitudinal of the mounting members to permit actuation of a horn circuit. In addition, the springs are movable in a lateral direction to facilitate insertion of the mounting members through the apertures in the support plate.

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Laura, OH, United States of America

Larry E Flora