Patents by Inventor Kou Yamamoto

Kou Yamamoto 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: 7322608
    Abstract: A steering column apparatus comprises a steering shaft having its rear end to which a steering wheel is secured, a steering column supporting rotatably the steering shaft and adjustable of its length in axial directions together the steering shaft, and telescopic position fixing means for fixing the steering column to a desired length. The steering column is constructed of an outer column fixed on a car body side and an inner column slidably fitted in the outer column. The telescopic position fixing means is constructed of a lock housing formed on the outer column, first and second press blocks slidably held by the lock housing and moving forwards and backwards in a way that embraces an outer peripheral surface of the inner column, and presses block driving means for bringing the first and second press-blocks into a press-contact with the inner column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kou Yamamoto, Daijiro Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20040113408
    Abstract: A steering column apparatus comprises a steering shaft having its rear end to which a steering wheel is secured, a steering column supporting rotatably the steering shaft and adjustable of its length in axial directions together the steering shaft, and telescopic position fixing means for fixing the steering column to a desired length. The steering column is constructed of an outer column fixed on a car body side and an inner column slidably fitted in the outer column. The telescopic position fixing means is constructed of a lock housing formed on the outer column, first and second press blocks slidably held by the lock housing and moving forwards and backwards in a way that embraces an outer peripheral surface of the inner column, and presses block driving means for bringing the first and second press-blocks into a press-contact with the inner column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kou Yamamoto, Daijiro Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20040090058
    Abstract: An extendable and contractable steering column apparatus includes an outer column through which an inner column is slidably inserted, a lock housing portion formed on the outer column, and a locking mechanism that includes a pair of movable pieces slidably fitted within a cylinder bore formed in the lock housing portion. The locking mechanism shifts the pair of movable pieces toward each other so as to press the inner column and shifts the pair of movable pieces away from each other so as to release the pressure on the inner column, in response to swinging of an operating lever. The cross section of the cylinder bore of the lock housing portion is non-circular and the cross sections of said pair of movable pieces are also non-circular correspondingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Kou Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20040084886
    Abstract: An extendable and contractable steering column apparatus includes an outer column through which an inner column is slidably inserted, a lock housing portion formed on the outer column, and a locking mechanism that includes a pair of movable pieces slidably fitted within a cylinder bore formed in the lock housing portion. In response to swinging of an operating lever, the locking mechanism shifts the pair of movable piece toward each other so as to press the inner column and to shift the pair of movable pieces away from each other so as to release the pressure on the inner column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Kou Yamamoto