Core bar for steering wheels

[0058] Next, operation of the first embodiment is described. In the event of vehicular collision, the airbag device 4 is operated to develop the airbag in front of the driver or occupant so as to restrain him or her thrown forward, alleviating a collision impact to be applied.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 5, in the event that the occupant collides with the steering wheel 1 regardless of actuation of the airbag device 4, the core bar 11 can be deformed or self-aligned as illustrated by the two-dot chain line, absorbing a collision impact. At this time, the core bar 11 provides a greater strength, since the outer periphery of the boss core-bar portion 16 is reinforced by the protrusions 33c, 53c, the rim core-bar portion 15 and the spoke core-bar portion 17 continuously connecting the protrusions 33c, 53c form a tube with closed section, and the embracement coupling structure provides a rib structure. Moreover, the spoke core-bar large-diameter portion 67 and rim core-bar large-diameter po...

[0089] In the second embodiment, the boss core-bar main body including the press-formed upper and lower shells 121, 122 is configured separately from the boss body 123. The rotation reception 135 is formed with the boss core-bar main body, whereas the tapered reception 123h is formed with the boss body 123. This structure allows secure mounting of the core bar 111 to the steering shaft S without backlash only by tightly engaging the tightening means N with the steering shaft S.

[0090] Specifically, an integral boss portion, as it were, including the rotation reception 135 integrated with the boss core-bar main body with combined upper lower shells 121, 122 is constructed by engaging the tubes 133c, 153c, which is high in strength per se due to its double structure. Moreover, the inclined face of the rotation support 123g of the boss body 123 presses the integrated boss portion inwardly from the outer periphery so as to apply the surface pressure to a meshed part between the serration...