Patent ID: 8511707

Claim:
A driver-airbag-apparatus-attaching structure with which a driver airbag apparatus is attached to a front surface of a steering wheel, the driver-airbag-apparatus-attaching structure enabling the driver airbag apparatus to be attached to the steering wheel with the aid of a snap-lock mechanism, wherein the snap-lock mechanism includes a bracket projecting upwardly from the front surface of the steering wheel; an attachment piece projecting downwardly from a bottom surface of the driver airbag apparatus toward the steering wheel in such a manner as to overlap the bracket; an engaging portion provided on a surface of the bracket that is to face the attachment piece; and a projecting portion projecting from a surface of the attachment piece that is to face the bracket, and wherein, when the driver airbag apparatus is bought near to the steering wheel, the attachment piece moves downwardly along the bracket, and the projecting portion receives a reactive force from the bracket, whereby the attachment piece elastically deforms; when the projecting portion reaches the engaging portion, the attachment piece elastically restores back to the original form thereof, and the projecting portion engages with the engaging portion at an engagement interface therebetween prior to airbag deployment with the driver airbag apparatus attached to the steering wheel, and a guide portion having opposite side portions at either side of the projecting portion that extend downwardly beyond the projecting portion to be configured to receive the upwardly projecting bracket therebetween to guide the attachment piece as the attachment piece moves down along the bracket with the opposite side portions at either side of the bracket; and seating surfaces at distal, lower end portions of the attachment piece and about a proximal, lower end of the bracket that engage each other below the engagement interface with the projecting portion engaged with the engaging portion to attach the driver airbag apparatus to the steering wheel.