Abstract: A backlash preventing structure for a steering column is provided for reducing the cost by reducing the number of parts and improving the ease of assembly, and for preventing hammering noise. The steering column has a cylindrical movable jacket slidably fitted into an outer cylindrical housing, the outer cylindrical housing having three holes formed therethrough in an axial direction, a steering shaft swingably disposed within the movable jacket, and a steering wheel secured to one end of the steering shaft. The backlash preventing structure, which prevents backlash of the movable jacket against the outer cylindrical housing, comprises a pair of press members each fitted into a left or a right side hole of the outer cylindrical housing, and a leaf spring fixed to the outer cylindrical housing with a screw screwed into a central hole of the outer cylindrical housing for urging the press members onto an outer peripheral surface of the movable jacket.

Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus is provided with a neutral position returning means which holds a link lever at a forward reclining operating position, and releases the holding of the link lever in the case that a seat back is shifted from a forward reclined position side to a neutral position within a reclining range. The neutral position returning means shifts a cam plate by a spring in such a manner as to hole the position of the link lever at a lever rotating position while the link lever rotates a releasing lever fixed to a center shaft of a reclining lock mechanism together therewith so as to release a lock of the reclining lock mechanism, and shifts the cam plate to an original position against the spring by a cam releasing means so as to return the link lever to an original position, in the case that the forward reclining seat back 3 is shifted to the neutral position.

Abstract: A first housing rotatably supports a steering shaft having an end portion coupled to a steering wheel. A second housing engages with the first housing via two impact energy absorbing rings separate from each other in the axial direction. The first housing and the second housing are relatively movable in the axial direction. One of the first housing and the second housing has first and second impact energy absorbing protrusions projected from positions between the impact energy absorbing rings separately in the axial direction so as to contact with the circumferential surface of the other of the first housing and the second housing. The impact energy absorbing protrusions therefore reduce the load applied to the impact energy absorbing rings in usual steering. Further, the impact energy absorbing rings reduce the load due to frictional resistance in impact energy absorption.

Abstract: A steering apparatus (1) for vehicles capable of undergoing at least telescopic movement is proposed which enables substantial weight and cost reduction through shortening of the overlap (L?) of a movable jacket (7) with a base jacket (6) without affecting the high support rigidity of the movable jacket; also ricketiness of the movable jacket is removed; the movable jacket is engaged with the base jacket in a manner such that the movable jacket can freely slide, and a first lock assembly (20) locks the telescopic movement in synchronism with a second lock assembly (40) when an operation lever (27) is shifted and these lock assemblies unlock the telescopic movement in synchronism too.

Abstract: An automatic transmission operating lever which includes a knob with a switch, a lever member and a conducting wire wired in the knob to send a signal from the switch. The lever member includes a rod to be inserted into the knob and a lever base having an end face to which the rod is connected. An insertion hole is provided on an end face, and the conducting wire is inserted thereto. A guide path communicates with the insertion hole and guides the conducting wire in a direction crossing an axial direction of the rod.

Abstract: A backlash preventing structure for a steering column is provided for reducing the cost by reducing the number of parts and improving the ease of assembly, and for preventing hammering noise. The steering column has a cylindrical movable jacket slidably fitted into an outer cylindrical housing, the outer cylindrical housing having three holes formed therethrough in an axial direction, a steering shaft swingably disposed within the movable jacket, and a steering wheel secured to one end of the steering shaft. The backlash preventing structure, which prevents backlash of the movable jacket against the outer cylindrical housing, comprises a pair of press members each fitted into a left or a right side hole of the outer cylindrical housing, and a leaf spring fixed to the outer cylindrical housing with a screw screwed into a central hole of the outer cylindrical housing for urging the press members onto an outer peripheral surface of the movable jacket.

Abstract: The seat recliner includes a base (10) mounted to a first seat member. The seat recliner includes a gear (60) mounted to a second seat member and being rotatable relative to the base. The gear has first teeth (61) along a peripheral face of the gear. The seat recliner includes a locking member (20) movable inside of the first teeth. The locking member has second teeth (21) engageable with the first teeth. The seat recliner includes a cam (40) configured to rotate the locking member to engage the first and second teeth with each other for establishing an angle between the first and second seat members. The seat recliner includes a guide (11B) on the base and having a guide face (11b) for slidably guiding the locking member to engage the first and second teeth with each other. The guide extends radially from a vicinity of the first teeth to a vicinity of the cam. A near side of the guide relative to the first teeth and the locking member define a gap (G1) therebetween.

Abstract: A seat slide (E1) includes a first guide (1). The seat slide includes a second guide (2) configured to be guided by the first guide (1). The second guide (2) supports a seat (101). The seat slide includes a leading member (3) configured to move the second guide (2) relative to the first guide (1). The seat slide includes a cap (4) mounted to the second guide (2). The cap includes a first support (41) for supporting the leading member (3). The cap includes a second support (42) extending from the first support (42) for supporting the second guide (2).

Abstract: A shift lever device which includes a housing, a shift lever, a knob, a rod with a key and a locking mechanism. The shift lever has a tube and a supporting member provided with a pivot supported by the housing on the vehicle body and a base block to which the tube is connected. The knob is connected to the tube. The rod inserted through the shift lever, is movable in an axial direction by operating the knob button of the knob. The key has a detent engaging portion to engage with a detent plate of the housing. The locking mechanism has a lock lever with a locking portion at its tip. The lock lever swings so that the locking portion is interposed between the base block and the key to lock movement of the rod, thus maintaining the engagement of the detent engaging portion with the detent plate.

Abstract: A first housing 3 for rotatably supporting a steering shaft having an end portion coupled to a steering wheel, or a second housing 5 engaged with the first housing 3 via two impact energy absorbing rings 6 and 7 separated in the axial direction so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction, has first and second impact energy absorbing protrusions 8 and 9 projected from positions between the impact energy absorbing rings 6 and 7 separately in the axial direction so as to contact with the circumferential surface of the other of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. The impact energy absorbing protrusions 8 and 9 therefore can reduce the load applied to the impact energy absorbing rings 6 and 7 in usual steering and the impact energy absorbing rings 6 and 7 can reduce the load due to frictional resistance in impact energy absorption.

Abstract: A lever (60) is for operation via a grip (40). Lever (60) has a transmission member (61) incorporated therein. A mechanism (M1) is for the operation of transmission member (61) via grip (40). A connecting member (10) is assembled with mechanism (M1). Connecting member (10) is fixed to lever (60), having transmission member (61) incorporated therein. Connecting member (10) is mounted to grip (40).

Abstract: An automatic transmission operating lever which includes a knob with a switch, a lever member and a conducting wire wired in the knob to send a signal from the switch. The lever member includes a rod to be inserted into the knob and a lever base having an end face to which the rod is connected. An insertion hole is provided on an end face, and the conducting wire is inserted thereto. A guide path communicates with the insertion hole and guides the conducting wire in a direction crossing an axial direction of the rod.

Abstract: An automatic transmission operating lever 1 including a bar 2 jointed with a base 3 on a base-side end thereof, a knob 5 into which the bar 2 is inserted, a first engagement mechanism and a second engagement mechanism. The first engagement mechanism includes a first engaging portion 21 axially extending on an outer surface on the other end of the bar 2 and a second engaging portion 51b to be engaged with the first engaging portion 21, which is provided in the knob 5. The second engagement mechanism includes a protrusion 3d on the outer surface on the base-side end of the bar 2 and a hook 51f to be latched on the protrusion 3d, which is provided in the knob 5. The first engagement mechanism starts engagement before the second engagement mechanism.

Abstract: The seat recliner includes a first seat member. The seat recliner includes a second seat member rotatable relative to the first seat member. The seat recliner includes an input cam member for rotating relative to the first seat member. The seat recliner includes a pivot on the first seat member. The seat recliner includes a follower member for being actuated by the input cam member to lock the second seat member relative to the first seat member. The follower member includes a first side. The first side includes a tooth for meshing with the second seat member. The first side includes an engagement side pivotably engaging on the pivot. The follower member includes a second side in proximity to the engagement side. The seat recliner includes a pair of guides on the first seat member. Guides have the pivot interposed therebetween for cooperating with the pivot to pivotably support the follower member on the pivot. A guide has smaller rigidity than the pivot for retaining the second side.

Abstract: A frame has a pivot protruding therefrom. A first gear is rotatable relative to the frame. A cam is rotatable with the first gear. A second gear is between the pivot and the cam. The second gear is engaged with the cam for rotation. The second gear is to be rotated on the pivot, thus to be locked with the first gear. The pivot has smaller mechanical strength than the first gear and the second gear.

Abstract: A shift lever operating apparatus includes: a control tube rotatably supported; a shift lever axially attached to the control tube; a compression rod inserted into the control tube which moves in an axial direction in accordance with an operation of the shift lever and integrally rotating with the control tube; a selector member fixed to the compression rod; a detent bracket having a plurality of detent grooves with which a detent portion formed in the selector member selectively engages and being fixed to a vehicle body end. In the construction, the detent bracket is perpendicular to the control tube and rotatably supports an end portion opposite the shift lever. The detent groove is formed on the same surface as the supporting portion. The selector member is fixed to an end portion of the compression rod projecting from the end portion apart from the shift lever of the control tube.

Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus for vehicles includes a casing, which has a recess and a mount extending from the recess, and a cap, which has a fringe and an inside gear formed along the inner periphery of the cap. The cap is received in the recess of the casing. The fringe of the cap and the periphery of the casing are held together by a binding frame so as not to separate from each other. The binding frame has a groove, and the fringe of the cap and the periphery of the casing are received in the groove. A lock mechanism is placed in the recess of the casing. The lock mechanism includes one or more lock gears. Each lock gear has arched gear teeth, and is movable between a meshed position, at which the lock gear is meshed with the inside gear of the cap, and a retracted position, at which the lock gear is disengaged from the inside gear. A driving shaft penetrating through the cap and the casing.

Abstract: A structure of support leg member having a pair of reinforcing pieces formed laterally thereof, which is used with a seat slide device provided in an automotive seat, wherein an inclinable portion is defined in the upper securing portion of the support leg member on which a guide rail of the seat slide device is securely amounted. The inclinable portion allows the guide rail to be inclined by a great load applied thereto in excess of a tolerable amount, thereby protecting the seat slide device against damage. The inclinable portion, for instance, may comprise an upward protuberant bead formed in the upper securing portion so that a pair of spacings are defined between the guide rail and a base portion of that upper securing portion such as to allow inclination of the guide towards the center of the automotive seat.