Patents by Inventor Shigeru Hoshino

Shigeru Hoshino has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9376137
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft and a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock plate provided with a plurality of holes; a lock mechanism that moves a tooth such that the tooth advances to the lock plate to be engaged with one of the holes, and retreats from the lock plate to be disengaged from the hole. The lock plate includes a bent portion as a stopper at an end portion of the lock plate in the axial direction, and the stopper restricts a movement of an upper jacket relative to a lower jacket in the axial direction by abutting on the lock mechanism in the axial direction when the steering shaft and the column jacket is telescopically adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Yoshihara, Tomonori Sugiura, Yuji Takahashi, Atsumune Nagatani, Tatsuro Kubota, Shigeru Hoshino, Yota Uesaka
  • Patent number: 9376136
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock plate provided with a plurality of holes and a plurality of partition portions arranged in the axial direction; and a tooth that advances to and retreats from the lock plate, and that is engaged with one of the holes of the lock plate. The steering shaft includes a first end to which a steering member is mounted and a second end. The partition portions are provided such that a height of a first end-side partition portion in a direction toward the tooth retreated from the lock plate is greater than that of a second end-side partition portion positioned on a second end side of the first end-side partition portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, FUJI KIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Yoshihara, Tomonori Sugiura, Yuji Takahashi, Atsumune Nagatani, Tatsuro Kubota, Shigeru Hoshino, Yota Uesaka
  • Publication number: 20160176435
    Abstract: A resin pin which is passed through a first resin-pin passing hole of a first plate, and a second resin-pin passing hole of a second plate to couple the second plate to a predetermined position of the first plate is sheared in a secondary collision, and causes the second plate to release from the predetermined position in a column movement direction. A slide plate which extends along the upper surface of the first plate has a resin-pin visual check hole. A highly hard collar is received by the second plate, placed in the first resin-pin passing hole, and fitted to a shaft portion of the resin pin. In the resin pin, axial elastic projections which apply a pressing and urging force to the slide plate are disposed at positions avoiding a range where, in a secondary collision, the resin-pin visual check hole is passed in the column movement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicants: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eiji TANAKA, Susumu MAGAKI, Shigeru HOSHINO, Shunsuke NUNOMURA
  • Patent number: 9346481
    Abstract: A steering column device including a first bracket for supporting a column tube that supports a steering shaft, a second bracket coupled to the first bracket and assembled onto a vehicle body, and a disengaging mechanism provided on the second bracket that allows the column tube to be disengaged from the vehicle body forward along a column axis direction under a set load when a secondary impact is caused with a collision of a vehicle. The first bracket and the second bracket are coupled to each other through an intermediation of a coupling mechanism in a relatively rotatable manner, and a rotation center of relative rotation intersects an axis center of the steering shaft. The first bracket and the second bracket perform relative rotation when an external force exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the disengaging mechanism along the column axis direction before the first bracket, the second bracket, the disengaging mechanism are assembled onto the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeru Hoshino
  • Patent number: 9346482
    Abstract: A steering column device is provided with a suspension mechanism which is supported on a fixed bracket, suspends a movable jacket through a movable bracket, and can move in a column movement direction at the time of a secondary collision. The suspension mechanism includes a suspension bolt which is inserted into a first plate of the fixed bracket and a second plate of a tilt bracket and is screwed into a nut. A leaf spring which is interposed between a head portion of the suspension bolt and the second plate in a state of bringing a stepped portion of the suspension bolt into contact with the second plate biases the first plate to the second plate side. Further, the second plate is pinched between the stepped portion and the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eiji Tanaka, Susumu Imagaki, Takeshi Matsuda, Hiroyuki Yao, Shigeru Hoshino
  • Patent number: 9327755
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft and a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock member that advances to an advance position at which the lock member is engaged with one of holes of a lock plate and that retreats to a retreat position at which the lock member is disengaged from the hole of the lock plate; an operation member that is mechanically separated from the lock member; a biasing member that constantly biases the lock member toward the advance position; and a transmission member that moves the lock member to the retreat position against a biasing force of the biasing member in accordance with operation of the operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, FUJI KIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Yoshihara, Tomonori Sugiura, Yuji Takahashi, Atsumune Nagatani, Tatsuro Kubota, Shigeru Hoshino, Yota Uesaka
  • Publication number: 20160107677
    Abstract: Column moving direction is referred to as first direction, opposite direction to the first direction is referred to as second direction, and direction which is orthogonal to the first direction is referred to as third direction. First suspending bolt is in contact with cylindrical surface which is formed by end portion of first elongated slot in second direction to thereby be positioned in relation to the second direction and the third direction. Second suspending bolt is positioned only in relation to the second direction by inner surface of end portion of second elongated slot in the second direction. Positions of portions of the end portions of the elongated slots which are situated farthest in the second direction are made equal to each other with respect to the second direction, and both the suspending bolts are aligned in position with respect to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Eiji TANAKA, Hiroyuki YAO, Shigeru HOSHINO
  • Patent number: 9242667
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft and a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock plate provided with a plurality of holes; a support shaft that extends in a cross direction crossing the axial direction and includes a low-strength portion to be broken when a load acts on the steering shaft and the column jacket; and a lock member that advances to the lock plate to be engaged with one of the holes. The lock member is disengaged from the one of holes when the support shaft is broken in a state in which the lock member is engaged with the one of the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, FUJI KIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Yoshihara, Tomonori Sugiura, Yuji Takahashi, Atsumune Nagatani, Tatsuro Kubota, Shigeru Hoshino, Yota Uesaka
  • Publication number: 20150360714
    Abstract: A steering column device is provided with a pair of suspension shafts which connects a first plate of a fixed bracket and a second plate of a movable bracket, thereby suspending a movable jacket through the movable bracket. A pair of first holes, each of which is an elongated hole, into which the pair of suspension shafts is inserted, is formed in the first plate. A connection and separation mechanism which separates, at the time of a secondary collision, the second plate from a predetermined position of the first plate in a column movement direction includes a resin pin disposed only between the pair of first holes in relation to a direction orthogonal to the column movement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Eiji TANAKA, Takeshi MATSUDA, Susumu IMAGAKI, Hiroyuki YAO, Shigeru HOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20150344064
    Abstract: A steering column device is provided with a suspension mechanism which is supported on a fixed bracket, suspends a movable jacket through a movable bracket, and can move in a column movement direction at the time of a secondary collision. The suspension mechanism includes a suspension bolt which is inserted into a first plate of the fixed bracket and a second plate of a tilt bracket and is screwed into a nut. A leaf spring which is interposed between a head portion of the suspension bolt and the second plate in a state of bringing a stepped portion of the suspension bolt into contact with the second plate biases the first plate to the second plate side. Further, the second plate is pinched between the stepped portion and the nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Eiji TANAKA, Susumu IMAGAKI, Takeshi MATSUDA, Hiroyuki YAO, Shigeru HOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20150266499
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft and a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock plate provided with a plurality of holes; a support shaft that extends in a cross direction crossing the axial direction and includes a low-strength portion to be broken when a load acts on the steering shaft and the column jacket; and a lock member that advances to the lock plate to be engaged with one of the holes. The lock member is disengaged from the one of holes when the support shaft is broken in a state in which the lock member is engaged with the one of the holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshihito YOSHIHARA, Tomonori SUGIURA, Yuji TAKAHASHI, Atsumune NAGATANI, Tatsuro KUBOTA, Shigeru HOSHINO, Yota UESAKA
  • Publication number: 20150266495
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock plate provided with a plurality of holes and a plurality of partition portions arranged in the axial direction; and a tooth that advances to and retreats from the lock plate, and that is engaged with one of the holes of the lock plate. The steering shaft includes a first end to which a steering member is mounted and a second end. The partition portions are provided such that a height of a first end-side partition portion in a direction toward the tooth retreated from the lock plate is greater than that of a second end-side partition portion positioned on a second end side of the first end-side partition portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshihito YOSHIHARA, Tomonori SUGIURA, Yuji TAKAHASHI, Atsumune NAGATANI, Tatsuro KUBOTA, Shigeru HOSHINO, Yota UESAKA
  • Publication number: 20150266497
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft and a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock member that advances to an advance position at which the lock member is engaged with one of holes of a lock plate and that retreats to a retreat position at which the lock member is disengaged from the hole of the lock plate; an operation member that is mechanically separated from the lock member; a biasing member that constantly biases the lock member toward the advance position; and a transmission member that moves the lock member to the retreat position against a biasing force of the biasing member in accordance with operation of the operation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshihito YOSHIHARA, Tomonori SUGIURA, Yuji TAKAHASHI, Atsumune NAGATANI, Tatsuro KUBOTA, Shigeru HOSHINO, Yota UESAKA
  • Publication number: 20150266496
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft and a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock plate provided with a plurality of holes; a lock mechanism that moves a tooth such that the tooth advances to the lock plate to be engaged with one of the holes, and retreats from the lock plate to be disengaged from the hole. The lock plate includes a bent portion as a stopper at an end portion of the lock plate in the axial direction, and the stopper restricts a movement of an upper jacket relative to a lower jacket in the axial direction by abutting on the lock mechanism in the axial direction when the steering shaft and the column jacket is telescopically adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshihito YOSHIHARA, Tomonori SUGIURA, Yuji TAKAHASHI, Atsumune NAGATANI, Tatsuro KUBOTA, Shigeru HOSHINO, Yota UESAKA
  • Patent number: 9016722
    Abstract: A steering column device includes a steering column for supporting a steering shaft in a freely rotatable manner, and a guide plate and a column bracket for assembling the steering column onto a part of a vehicle body. The steering column device further includes coupling bolts coupled to the column bracket through guide grooves of the guide plate and movable along the guide grooves when the column bracket moves toward the front of the vehicle relative to the guide plate. Further, an upper column cover movable toward the front of the vehicle together with the steering column is assembled above the steering column at a position corresponding to a vehicle rear of the guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shosuke Yachida, Seiji Kondou, Shigeru Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20150090066
    Abstract: A steering column device including a first bracket for supporting a column tube that supports a steering shaft, a second bracket coupled to the first bracket and assembled onto a vehicle body, and a disengaging mechanism provided on the second bracket that allows the column tube to be disengaged from the vehicle body forward along a column axis direction under a set load when a secondary impact is caused with a collision of a vehicle. The first bracket and the second bracket are coupled to each other through an intermediation of a coupling mechanism in a relatively rotatable manner, and a rotation center of relative rotation intersects an axis center of the steering shaft. The first bracket and the second bracket perform relative rotation when an external force exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the disengaging mechanism along the column axis direction before the first bracket, the second bracket, the disengaging mechanism are assembled onto the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeru Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8887596
    Abstract: A steering column apparatus has a fixed bracket fixed to a vehicle body and having a pair of long holes extending parallel to each other along a backward-and-forward direction; a movable bracket arranged movably in the backward-and-forward direction; a pair of bolts and a pair of nuts for fixing the movable bracket to a rear portion of the fixed bracket so that the movable bracket can move in the backward-and-forward direction with respect to the fixed bracket; a spring plate having pressing portions for holding the movable bracket at the rear portion of the fixed bracket by pressing the fixed bracket against the movable bracket; a shear pin connecting the fixed bracket and the movable bracket at the rear portion of the fixed bracket; and first and second low friction elements. Upon a secondary collision, the movable bracket smoothly moves toward a vehicle front side together with the spring plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yota Uesaka, Shigeru Hoshino, Eiji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140246848
    Abstract: A steering column device includes a steering column for supporting a steering shaft in a freely rotatable manner, and a guide plate and a column bracket for assembling the steering column onto a part of a vehicle body. The steering column device further includes coupling bolts coupled to the column bracket through guide grooves of the guide plate and movable along the guide grooves when the column bracket moves toward the front of the vehicle relative to the guide plate. Further, an upper column cover movable toward the front of the vehicle together with the steering column is assembled above the steering column at a position corresponding to a vehicle rear of the guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shosuke Yachida, Seiji Kondou, Shigeru Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8651526
    Abstract: In a steering apparatus, an upper bracket that supports a steering column is configured as a breakaway bracket, and has a telescopic adjustment function that allows the steering wheel position to be adjusted in the axial direction of the steering column. The upper bracket has a first through-hole extending through the upper bracket in the axial direction. The upper bracket is provided with a guide rail 7 that has a fixed portion and a body portion. The fixed portion is fixed to a mounting stay. The body portion extends from the fixed portion toward the front of a vehicle in the axial direction, and is inserted in the first through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nakamura, Keiji Kishimoto, Kazuyuki Tamenaga, Takeshi Matsuda, Hiroji Nagano, Kazuyoshi Wakabayashi, Shigeru Hoshino, Tomokazu Fujita
  • Patent number: 8277142
    Abstract: A tightened shaft portion 51a of a shaft 51 and a tightened portion 42b of a lower joint yoke 42 are coupled with each other such that a required torque can be transmitted therebetween by inserting the tightened shaft portion 51a of the shaft 51 into a shaft insertion hole 42b2 of the lower joint yoke (a coupling member) 42, and inserting a bolt 44 into a bolt insertion aperture 42b3 of the lower joint yoke 42 and a bolt engagement groove 51a1 of the shaft 51 and tightening the bolt in the condition (the regular position condition) that the bolt engagement groove 51a1 of the shaft 51 and the bolt insertion aperture 42b3 of the lower joint yoke 42 are axially aligned with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Hoshino, Seiji Tanaka