Patent ID: 6193267
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: B60R,B62D

Abstract:
A steering wheel assembly to be mounted on a vehicle steering shaft which rotates about an axis to steer a vehicle and which has a threaded end portion, said steering wheel assembly comprising:a steering wheel armature;an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device supported on said steering wheel armature;an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;a hub fixedly attached to said steering wheel armature and for non-rotatable attachment to the vehicle steering shaft;a rotatable fastener rotatably supported on said hub and for axially forcing said hub onto the steering shaft upon rotation of said fastener in a first direction, said fastener having a first end portion including gear means for rotating said fastener and a second end portion for threadedly engaging the threaded end portion of the steering shaft upon rotation of said fastener; anda retainer plate spaced from said inflator and fixedly attached with said steering wheel armature, said retainer plate overlying said first end portion of said fastener and retaining said fastener on said steering wheel armature;said retainer plate having a peripheral portion partially encircling a central portion, said central portion being axially offset from said peripheral portion.