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.

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.

Abstract: When a knee airbag is deployed, a lid, which is provided in a column cover that covers a steering column, is opened by the deployment pressure of the knee airbag. Thus, an opening, through which the knee airbag expands, is formed to extend in the lower wall portion and the right and left side wall portions of the column cover. At this time, an opening amount regulation portion regulates the opening amount of the lid so that the knee airbag is deployed toward areas on right and left sides of the column cover.

Abstract: A shock absorbing steering apparatus for use in a vehicle, including a steering column to be fixed to a portion of a body of the vehicle such that the steering column is releasable from the body of the vehicle and movable in a forward direction of the vehicle in the event of a secondary collision of an occupant of the vehicle upon a collision of the vehicle, and wherein one of the steering column and the portion of the vehicle body includes a mounting portion, while the other of the steering column and the portion of the vehicle body includes a holding portion. The steering apparatus further includes an impact energy absorbing member to be mounted on the mounting portion.

Abstract: When a knee airbag is deployed, a lid, which is provided in a column cover that covers a steering column, is opened by the deployment pressure of the knee airbag. Thus, an opening, through which the knee airbag expands, is formed to extend in the lower wall portion and the right and left side wall portions of the column cover. At this time, an opening amount regulation portion regulates the opening amount of the lid so that the knee airbag is deployed toward areas on right and left sides of the column cover.

Abstract: A structure for fastening a column side member to a vehicle-body side, so as to fix a steering column relative to a vehicle body such that the column is movable in event of application of an excessively large load to the column. One of the column side member and vehicle-body side member provides a first clamped member having a slot elongated in parallel with a direction in which the column is movable, while the other of the column side member and vehicle-body side member provides a second clamped member.

Abstract: Collision-energy-absorbing means of an impact-absorbing steering column apparatus includes guide slots 31a1 and 31b1, guide slots 31a2 and 31b2, and transition portions 31a3 and 31b3, as well as energy-absorbing members 36 and 37, so as to change absorption load for secondary collision energy. A collar 42 plastically deforms the energy-absorbing member 36 or 37, thereby absorbing secondary collision energy of an occupant in the event of a collision of a vehicle. The guide slots 31a1 and 31b1, the guide slots 31a2 and 31b2, and the transition portions 31a3 and 31b3 change an absorption load for secondary collision energy dependently on the direction of a secondary collision of the occupant with the steering system.

Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus includes an air bag device 20 for deploying an air bag between a steering wheel 11 and an occupant H and an impact-energy-absorption-type steering column 12 equipped with an energy-absorbing mechanism 30, and absorbs impact energy of the occupant H during a vehicle collision event. Both the air bag device 20 and the energy-absorbing mechanism 30 are of a variable energy absorption load type. When their energy absorption loads are varied, the energy absorption loads change in the same direction.

Abstract: A shock absorbing steering apparatus for use in a vehicle, including a steering column to be fixed to a portion of a body of the vehicle such that the steering column is releasable from the body of the vehicle and movable in a forward direction of the vehicle in the event of a secondary collision of an occupant of the vehicle upon a collision of the vehicle, and wherein one of the steering column and the portion of the vehicle body includes a mounting portion, while the other of the steering column and the portion of the vehicle body includes a holding portion. The steering apparatus further includes an impact energy absorbing member to be mounted on the mounting portion.

Abstract: A structure for fastening a column side member to a vehicle-body side, so as to fix a steering column relative to a vehicle body such that the column is movable in event of application of an excessively large load to the column. One of the column side member and vehicle-body side member provides a first clamped member having a slot elongated in parallel with a direction in which the column is movable, while the other of the column side member and vehicle-body side member provides a second clamped member.

Abstract: Collision-energy-absorbing means of an impact-absorbing steering column apparatus includes guide slots 31a1 and 31b1, guide slots 31a2 and 31b2, and transition portions 31a3 and 31b3, as well as energy-absorbing members 36 and 37, so as to change absorption load for secondary collision energy. A collar 42 plastically deforms the energy-absorbing member 36 or 37, thereby absorbing secondary collision energy of an occupant in the event of a collision of a vehicle. The guide slots 31a1 and 31b1, the guide slots 31a2 and 31b2, and the transition portions 31a3 and 31b3 change an absorption load for secondary collision energy dependently on the direction of a secondary collision of the occupant with the steering system.

Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus includes an air bag device 20 for deploying an air bag between a steering wheel 11 and an occupant H and an impact-energy-absorption-type steering column 12 equipped with an energy-absorbing mechanism 30, and absorbs impact energy of the occupant H during a vehicle collision event. Both the air bag device 20 and the energy-absorbing mechanism 30 are of a variable energy absorption load type. When their energy absorption loads are varied, the energy absorption loads change in the same direction.

Abstract: A support mechanism of a steering system that supports a steering column to a part of a vehicle body includes an energy absorbing member mounted on the side of a steering column or the vehicle body, a support pin mounted on the side of the vehicle body or the steering column, that deforms the energy absorbing member when the steering column moves relative to the vehicle body, and an actuator mounted on the side of the steering column or the vehicle body, that changes deformation characteristics of the energy absorbing member.

Abstract: A support mechanism of a steering system that supports a steering column to a part of a vehicle body includes an energy absorbing member mounted on the side of a steering column or the vehicle body, a support pin mounted on the side of the vehicle body or the steering column, that deforms the energy absorbing member when the steering column moves relative to the vehicle body, and an actuator mounted on the side of the steering column or the vehicle body, that changes deformation characteristics of the energy absorbing member.

Abstract: A screw-nut feed mechanism for effecting axial displacement of a movable member on a stationary member in accordance with rotation of a feed screw shaft mounted on the stationary member. The feed mechanism includes a first nut element threadedly mounted on the screw shaft and being connected to the movable member for axial movement therewith, the first nut element having internal threads in engagement with external threads of the screw shaft, a second nut element threadedly mounted on the screw shaft, the second nut element having internal threads in engagement with the external thread of the screw shaft and being fastened to the first nut element in such a manner that the screw shaft is applied with a pre-load in an axial direction to eliminate all of the clearance space between the threads of the screw shaft and the first nut element, and a support element coupled with the second nut element and being fastened to the first nut element to retain the connection of the first and second nut elements.

Abstract: A control cable connecting device for connecting the cable of a control cable to an operated device. The control cable connecting device comprises a guide sleeve, an operating member slidably fitted in the guide sleeve, supporting lugs fixed to the outer surface of the guide sleeve with a predetermined space therebetween, a guide block fixedly connected to the extremity of the outer casing of a control cable, a driving member slidably fitted in the guide block and fixed to the free end of the cable of the control cable, and a clip for fastening the guide block to the supporting lugs. The driving member can be connected operatively to the operating member simply by placing the guide block containing the driving member in the space between the supporting lugs, and simply by fastening the guide block to the supporting lugs with the clip. Thus, the control cable connecting device requires a small space for installation and is capable of being assembled easily.