Abstract: An upper surface of a front portion of an outer column is provided with a slit having a substantial T shape as seen from a radial direction and a pair of sandwiched portions. In a rear end side portion of an outer surface of the sandwiched portion, a dented portion is formed to be dented inward in a width direction at a lower half portion thereof. Accordingly, a distance from the position of a force which acts on the sandwiched portions according to an operation on an adjustment lever to a position of a main outer column body which is a fulcrum of elastic deformation becomes longer. Therefore, a structure capable of reducing change of a force necessary for operating the adjustment lever and stably fitting and holding an inner column regardless of the position of a steering wheel in a front-rear direction is implemented.

Abstract: Construction is achieved in which a held bracket section 30 is integrally formed with the end section of an outer column by a hydroforming method, so as to be able to substantially ensure the strength and rigidity of the held bracket section 30. A spacer 37 that is made of a material that is softer than the metal plate of the outer column 20a is assembled in the inside of the held bracket section 30 and between a pair of left and right held plate sections 31. Holes for inserting a rod for fastening the position of the steering wheel are provided in portions of the spacer 37 and held plate sections 31 that are aligned with each other.

Abstract: An upper surface of a front portion of an outer column is provided with a slit having a substantial T shape as seen from a radial direction and a pair of sandwiched portions. In a rear end side portion of an outer surface of the sandwiched portion, a dented portion is formed to be dented inward in a width direction at a lower half portion thereof. Accordingly, a distance from the position of a force which acts on the sandwiched portions according to an operation on an adjustment lever to a position of a main outer column body which is a fulcrum of elastic deformation becomes longer. Therefore, a structure capable of reducing change of a force necessary for operating the adjustment lever and stably fitting and holding an inner column regardless of the position of a steering wheel in a front-rear direction is implemented.

Abstract: A sub-arm which is rotated together with an adjustment lever is fixed to a base end portion of the adjustment lever. A receiving side member is fixed to an outer surface of one support plate part of a support bracket and a buffer member made of an elastic material is fixed to the receiving side member. When the adjustment lever is rotated in a predetermined direction, a tip portion of the sub-arm first contacts the buffer member before step portions of driving and driven cam surfaces contact each other. Therefore, when the adjustment lever is rotated in the predetermined direction (a direction in which an axial dimension of a cam mechanism is contracted) so as to adjust a position of a steering wheel, it is possible to prevent generation of a harsh abnormal noise caused as the step portions of the driving and driven cam surfaces contact each other.

Abstract: Construction is achieved in which a held bracket section 30 is integrally formed with the end section of an outer column by a hydroforming method, so as to be able to substantially ensure the strength and rigidity of the held bracket section 30. A spacer 37 that is made of a material that is softer than the metal plate of the outer column 20a is assembled in the inside of the held bracket section 30 and between a pair of left and right held plate sections 31. Holes for inserting a rod for fastening the position of the steering wheel are provided in portions of the spacer 37 and held plate sections 31 that are aligned with each other.

Abstract: Construction is achieved that more completely protects the driver of a vehicle during a secondary collision by gradually increasing the impact load that is absorbed by an energy absorbing member 22b the more the steering wheel displaces in the forward direction. The energy absorbing member 22b comprises a base section 27a that is provided in the center section, and a pair of impact absorbing sections 28b that extend in the forward direction from both ends of the base section 27a and have U-shaped bent back curved sections 29b in the middle section. Of these impact absorbing sections 28b , at least the portions that are nearer the tip end side than the bent back curved sections 29b are pressed so that the height of the energy absorbing member 22b with respect to a stroking section 32 gradually increases going in a direction from the bent back curved sections 29b toward the tip end side of the energy absorbing sections 28b.

Abstract: Construction is achieved in which a held bracket section 30 is integrally formed with the end section of an outer column by a hydroforming method, so as to be able to substantially ensure the strength and rigidity of the held bracket section 30. A spacer 37 that is made of a material that is softer than the metal plate of the outer column 20a is assembled in the inside of the held bracket section 30 and between a pair of left and right held plate sections 31. Holes for inserting a rod for fastening the position of the steering wheel are provided in portions of the spacer 37 and held plate sections 31 that are aligned with each other.

Abstract: An inner column 2 is fitted in an outer column 1 in such a way as to be able to slide in the axial direction. The outer column 1 is mounted on a vehicle body 5 by a vehicle mount bracket 3. Fastening portions 65B, 65B of a right distance bracket 6B pass through through-holes 13, 14 respectively to be able to be in contact with the outer circumference 21 of the inner column and directly fasten the outer circumference of the inner column. Thus, there is provided a steering apparatus that is simple in structure without need to provide an additional mechanism for preventing rotation of an inner column and in which the magnitude of fastening force exerted on the inner column does not vary depending on the telescopic position of the steering wheel.

Abstract: Construction is achieved wherein upward displacement of a steering column 6c during a secondary collision is prevented, and the distance D between the steering column 6c and the tip end section of an adjustment lever 18b is kept the same regardless of the up/down position of the steering wheel 1. The position of the adjustment lever 18b after rotation is maintained by the tip end section of a locking arm 40 that is provided on the base end section of the adjustment arm 18b engaging with a locking groove 42 of a locking piece 41 that is provided on a support plate section 23a. The direction of formation of the locking groove 42 is such that when the up/down position of the steering wheel 1 is in an upward position, the top end section of the locking groove 42 engages with the tip end section of the locking arm 40, and when the up/down position of the steering wheel 1 is in a downward position, the bottom end section of the locking groove 42 engages with the tip end section of the locking arm 40.

Abstract: Construction is achieved in which a held bracket section 30 is integrally formed with the end section of an outer column by a hydroforming method, so as to be able to substantially ensure the strength and rigidity of the held bracket section 30. A spacer 37 that is made of a material that is softer than the metal plate of the outer column 20a is assembled in the inside of the held bracket section 30 and between a pair of left and right held plate sections 31. Holes for inserting a rod for fastening the position of the steering wheel are provided in portions of the spacer 37 and held plate sections 31 that are aligned with each other.

Abstract: Construction is achieved that more completely protects the driver of a vehicle during a secondary collision by gradually increasing the impact load that is absorbed by an energy absorbing member 22b the more the steering wheel displaces in the forward direction. The energy absorbing member 22b comprises a base section 27a that is provided in the center section, and a pair of impact absorbing sections 28b that extend in the forward direction from both ends of the base section 27a and have U-shaped bent back curved sections 29b in the middle section. Of these impact absorbing sections 28b, at least the portions that are nearer the tip end side than the bent back curved sections 29b are pressed so that the height of the energy absorbing member 22b with respect to a stroking section 32 gradually increases going in a direction from the bent back curved sections 29b toward the tip end side of the energy absorbing sections 28b.

Abstract: Construction is achieved wherein upward displacement of a steering column 6c during a secondary collision is prevented, and the distance D between the steering column 6c and the tip end section of an adjustment lever 18b is kept the same regardless of the up/down position of the steering wheel 1. The position of the adjustment lever 18b after rotation is maintained by the tip end section of a locking arm 40 that is provided on the base end section of the adjustment arm 18b engaging with a locking groove 42 of a locking piece 41 that is provided on a support plate section 23a. The direction of formation of the locking groove 42 is such that when the up/down position of the steering wheel 1 is in an upward position, the top end section of the locking groove 42 engages with the tip end section of the locking arm 40, and when the up/down position of the steering wheel 1 is in a downward position, the bottom end section of the locking groove 42 engages with the tip end section of the locking arm 40.

Abstract: An inner column 2 is fitted in an outer column 1 in such a way as to be able to slide in the axial direction. The outer column 1 is mounted on a vehicle body 5 by a vehicle mount bracket 3. Fastening portions 65B, 65B of a right distance bracket 6B pass through through-holes 13, 14 respectively to be able to be in contact with the outer circumference 21 of the inner column and directly fasten the outer circumference of the inner column. Thus, there is provided a steering apparatus that is simple in structure without need to provide an additional mechanism for preventing rotation of an inner column and in which the magnitude of fastening force exerted on the inner column does not vary depending on the telescopic position of the steering wheel.