FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION (See Section 10; rule 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Energy Absorbing Steering Wheel Horn Pad
APPLICANTS
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company
having its registered office at Bombay House,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
INVENTORS
Mahendrakumar M S, Anilkumar C both Indian nationals
of TATA MOTORS LIMITED an Indian company
having its registered office at Bombay House,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following provisional specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to steering wheel horn pad for automobiles and more particularly relates to energy absorbing type steering wheel horn pad.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
In case of a vehicle, steering wheel is provided to maneuver the vehicle in desired direction. Basically steering wheel comprises of steering wheel rim, energy absorber provided inside the steering wheel, and horn pad. In the event of crash collision, the driver's head hits the steering wheel & may lead to serious or fatal injury. Therefore it is necessary to make the steering wheel soft enough to promote the absorption of energy contained with the driver's head.
The steering wheel also contains an additional function for blowing of the horn. In order to actuate the horn function, horn pad has been provided at the center of the steering wheel, above central hub. Energy absorbing structure has been provided below the horn pad to dissipate the kinetic energy of the driver's head in case of crash collision.
Conventionally a separate secondary structure, preferably metallic, is provided below the horn pad for absorbing the head impact energy.
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OBJECTS OF INVENTION
The main object of this invention is to provide steering wheel horn pad for
automobiles having adequate provision to absorb the energy generated in vehicle
collisions.
Another object of this invention is to provide steering wheel horn pad for
automobiles which is simple in construction & cost effective.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Steering wheel horn pad of a vehicle consist of multiple ribs provided at inner side , one or more snap guides and horn actuating devices provided integrally at inner side and at least one energy absorbing structure with through hole is provided at the center portion of horn pad and at least one rib with or without depressions is provided on both the sides of energy absorbing structure. Set of multiple ribs provided at both the ends of steering wheel horn pad with a provision to accommodate horn actuating means. Said multiple ribs also provided with or without depressions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same
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Fig 1 shows the steering wheel horn pad in accordance with this invention. Fig 2 shows the steering wheel fitted with steering wheel horn pad.
Referring to Fig 1, wherein steering wheel horn pad (1) of a vehicle consist of multiple ribs (9) provided at inner side to give sufficient stiffness to the horn pad, one or more snap guides are provided integrally at inner side of steering wheel horn pad (1) to guide the steering wheel horn pad (1) into the steering wheel assembly and to fit snuggly to the steering wheel. Horn actuating devices provided integrally at inner side of steering wheel horn pad (1) to actuate the horn. At least one energy absorbing structure (2) with one or more through hole/s (3) is provided at the center portion of horn pad (1) to absorb the major component of energy during collision and to prevent direct contact between steering wheel fastener with steering wheel horn pad (1) and at least one rib (4) with or without depressions (5) is provided on both the sides of energy absorbing structure (2) to absorb some portion of energy. Set of multiple ribs (6) provided at both the ends of steering wheel horn pad (1) with a provision (8) to accommodate horn actuating means. Said multiple ribs also provided with or without depressions (7). The depressions (5) on rib (4) and depressions (7) on rib (6) are provided in order to efficiently share the energy generated during collision.
Figure 2 shows the assembly of steering wheel horn pad (1) fitted with steering wheel.
Steering wheel horn pad in accordance with this invention provides utmost safety to the driver by absorbing the impact energies during collisions.
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The advantages associated with invention are -
a) Steering wheel horn pad absorbs major component of energy during collisions hence it provides utmost safety to the driver.
b) No requirement of separate metallic structure for energy absorption, hence which makes the structure simple.
The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.
Dated this 29th day of March 2007
TATA MOTORS LIMITED By their Agent and Attorney
(KARUNA GOLERIA) of DePENNING & DePENNING
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