Abstract: A ball joint includes a pair of generally hemispheric head members including facing surfaces. A bearing member is disposed between the facing surfaces. One of the head members is connected to a ball stud, the other includes a shank hole through which the ball stud passes. Both head members are enclosed in a ball seat which is deformed into conformity with a generally spherical outer surface of the combined first and second head members by a socket that is formed about them. An elastic member between the socket and the ball seat applies an axial force to said first and second head members, whereby a substantial preload on the ball joint permits take-up of wear during use.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering system for an automotive vehicle includes a front wheel steering mechanism operable in response to a steering effort applied thereto to steer a pair of dirigible front road wheels, a rear wheel steering mechanism including an axially displaceable operation rod operatively connected at the opposite ends thereof with a pair of dirigible rear road wheels to steer the rear road wheels, and a connecting mechanism assembled in combination with the rear wheel steering mechanism and being drivingly connected to the front wheel steering mechanism for effecting axial displacement of the operation rod in response to operation of the front wheel steering mechanism and for controlling the steering angle ratio and direction of the rear road wheels relative to the front road wheels.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering system in a wheeled vehicle the front wheel steering mechanism of which is drivingly interconnected to a rear wheel steering mechanism to steer the rear road wheels in either the same or the opposite direction as the front road wheels in dependence upon the turn-angle of the steering wheel of the vehicle. In the steering system, the rear wheel steering mechanism includes an operation rod operatively connected at the opposite ends thereof to the rear road wheels, and a connecting mechanism is assembled in combination with the rear wheel steering mechanism for effecting axial displacement of the operation rod in response to operation of the front wheel steering mechanism and for controlling the displacement direction of the operation rod in dependence upon the turn-angle of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A steering shaft deformable in response to a force corresponding to frontal impact of a vehicle. The steering shaft includes an upper shaft, a lower shaft and a deformable plate. The upper shaft and the lower shaft are fixed on the deformable plate at a first position and a second position, respectively. The first position and the second position are perpendicularly offset from an axis of the steering shaft. Means for controlling deformation of the deformable plate is formed in the deformable plate between the first position and the second position. The means can be a slit, a hole or a groove. When the steering shaft receives a force corresponding to frontal impact of the vehicle, the deformable plate deforms along the means causing attenuation of the force as well significant absorbtion of the impact energy. Such a steering shaft can be mounted on the vehicle without significantly increasing the space required for mounting the steering device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a support structure of a steering column tube (10) for a vehicle which supports the steering column tube (10) through a column support bracket (12) to a support member (14) such as a vehicular body in such a manner as to absorb a large external force and avoid receipt of local stress for the purpose of ensuring safety of a driver. The column support bracket (12) is formed with a first bent portion (130) and a second bent portion (132) at upper and lower positions of the steering column tube (10) and/or with protectors (40).

Abstract: A four-wheel steering system for an automotive vehicle includes a linkage drivingly connected at its front end to a front wheel steering mechanism, and a connecting mechanism assembled in combination with a rear wheel steering mechanism to drivingly connect the linkage to a pair of operation rods of the rear wheel steering mechanism in such a manner that the operation rods are axially displaced in response to movement of the linkage to steer a pair of dirigible rear road wheels. The connecting mechanism is designed to control the steering angle and direction of the rear road wheels relative to those of a pair of dirigible front road wheels without causing any change in the alignment of the rear road wheels.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering system in a wheeled vehicle comprises a front-wheel steering linkage, a rear-wheel steering linkage including a lateral control shaft operatively connected at its opposite ends with a pair of rear steerable road wheels, and a rear-wheel steering mechanism for interconnecting the steering linkages.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cable-type clutch release device for a clutch of the type, in which a release bearing disposed between a crank shaft of an engine and a transmission is maintained in contact with a diaphragm spring when the clutch pedal is released. In the clutch release device according to the present invention, a first clutch pedal member having a pedal pad, a second clutch pedal member, and a ratchet member connected to one end of a cable for transmitting the movement of the first clutch pedal member to the clutch, and having ratchet teeth are supported pivotally movably about a common axis; and a pawl member having at one end thereof a pawl engageable with one of ratchet teeth of the ratchet member is pivotally movably supported on the second clutch pedal member, the other end of the pawl member being adapted to engage an engaging pin.