Patent ID: 6976404

Claim:
A steering wheel unit for a motor vehicle, said steering wheel unit comprising: a connection hub non-rotatably connected to a steering shaft; a steering wheel rim non-rotatably connected to said connection hub by spokes, said spokes having an inner end with a spoke support; a central piece mounted to said connection hub by a spacer element, said central piece being rotatable relative to said steering shaft and said steering wheel rim; a coupling device for preventing rotational movement of said central piece relative to said steering wheel rim, said spacer element having a first end non-rotatably connected to said central piece and a second end rotatably mounted to said connection hub, said spacer element constructed as a crash element failing when a predetermined force moves said central piece towards said connection hub, said second end of said spacer element being an annular body, said spacer element having at least two webs projecting from said annular body, said webs being spaced apart around a perimeter of said annular body, said webs being connected to said central piece.