Abstract: A tilt steering apparatus for vehicles has a fixed bracket member fixed on a vehicle body and a rotatable bracket member pivoted on the fixed bracket member. A ratchet member and a pawl are disposed on the opposite bracket members. A lever for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet is rotatably disposed around the pivoting point between the fixed bracket and the rotatable bracket at one end thereof.

Abstract: A tilt steering mechanism, a telescopic steering mechanism and a seat attitude adjusting mechanism are controlled in their attitudes by an electric motor such that the respective attitudes are automatically set into a retreat attitude where the driver easily gets on and off a vehicle upon boarding/alighting, and into a driving attitude assumed before retreat upon the completion of boarding. Whether or not the driver is about to get on and off the vehicle is judged in accordance with the status of an ignition switch, status of a door switch, vehicle speed, status of a parking brake, shift lever position of a transmission, etc. A change speed of attitude is monitored during energization of the electric motor and, if the change speed is less than a predetermined value, this is judged as the presence of overload and the electric motor is stopped.

Abstract: A screw-nut type driving mechanism having a rotatable screw shaft, a nut engaged with the screw shaft and a driven member secured to the nut. The nut has an axially tapered outer surface which is formed with external threads. The driven member has an internally threaded, axially tapered hole with which the nut is threadably engaged. A retaining plate is provided to hold the nut on the driven member to prevent rotation of the nut.

Abstract: A tilt steering apparatus for vehicles includes a fixed bracket and a rotational bracket rotatably mounted on the fixed bracket and having a ratchet fixed on a side thereof. A pawl, pivotally mounted on the fixed bracket, engages the ratchet when the rotational bracket is in an upward position and in a downward driving position. Memory means memorizes a selected engagement relationship between the pawl and ratchet when the pawl and ratchet are engaged and the rotational bracket is in a downward position. When the rotational bracket is subsequently being rotated to the downward position, intermediate means maintain the ratchet and pawl in a disengaged state until the rotational bracket is in the downward driving position.

Abstract: A link connecting structure includes a first and a second link member, a pin disposed between the two link members and having a tapered portion which engages with a complementary tapered hole in the second link member, and a resilient member for always urging the first link member in the direction of the second link member.

Abstract: An electrically operated tiltable vehicle steering mechanism includes an electric motor of a reversible type which is adapted to drive through a speed reduction mechanism a screw shaft of a screw-nut mechanism. The screw-nut mechanism includes a nut which is engaged with the screw shaft and connected with a tiltable bracket supporting a steering shaft. Stoppers are provided to limit the stroke of the movement of the nut. The stopper includes a stopper plate made of a metallic material of a low frictional coefficient and a rubber cushion. The stopper is located with the stopper plate faced to the nut for engagement therewith and the rubber cushion maintained in contact with the housing of the screw-nut mechanism. The mechanism is provided with a clutch means for allowing a slip between the motor and the screw nut mechanism when the excessive load is applied to a torque transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A telescopic steering mechanism for automotive vehicles includes first and second support members telescopically coupled with each other for relative movement, a first shaft rotatably carried by the first support member, a second shaft rotatably carried by the second support member and telescopically coupled with the first shaft for rotation therewith, a feed screw shaft arranged in parallel with the first and second shafts and rotatably carried by the first support shaft, and a feed nut fixedly mounted on the second support member and threadedly coupled over the feed screw shaft for effecting relative movement of the support members in accordance with rotation of the feed screw shaft.

Abstract: A steering wheel having a telephone includes a pad portion secured to a steering shaft, wherein the pad portion comprises a base held on the steering shaft and a telephone detachably held on the base, the base has a receiving recess and a swing projection with which the telephone is engaged, and the telephone has an engaging recess in engagement with the swing projection and a radio communication means for transferring signals. Therefore, the driver can use the telephone of the present invention in his driving attitude without picking up it during operation of the steering wheel and other occupants can also pick up it from the steering wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a back-lash eliminating mechanism in a screw-type driving device, in which a nut member is made flexible so that a screw member and the nut member can be disposed close to each other to thereby eliminate back-lash at the thread-engagement portion between the screw member and the nut member.

Abstract: A telescopic assembly includes a yoke supported for rotation on a stationary member, a shaft fitted in telescoping relation inside the yoke, rotatably supported by a movable bracket and capable of being reciprocated together with the movable bracket relative to the yoke, a screw rotatably retained by a stationary bracket, and a nut threadedly engaged with the screw and fixed to the movable bracket. When the screw is rotated, the nut provided on the movable bracket moves axially along the screw so that the movable bracket is moved toward or away from the stationary bracket. Hence, the shaft supported by the movable bracket is displaced axially forward or backward, depending upon the direction of screw rotation, relative to the yoke, thereby enabling the portion of the shaft projecting from the yoke to be adjusted in length.

Abstract: A safety system in an apparatus for adjusting attitudes of a tilt mechanism and a telescopic mechanism of a steering wheel by means of an electric motor. A change speed of attitude is monitored and, when the monitored result becomes less than a predetermined value, this is judged as the presence of overload, whereupon the direction of driving of the electric motor is reversed. When a time of the reverse operation or the number of strokes during the reverse operation reaches a predetermined value, the electric motor is set to stop. Attitude information is sampled with intervals of a predetermined time and, when a change amount of the attitude information is less than a predetermined value, this is judged as the presence of overload.

Abstract: The shaft and bush device includes a shaft, a bush having a slit in its axial direction and a pressing member which forces the bush inwardly to contact with the shaft so that the bush and shaft are pressed to each other without any clearance. The shaft and the bush may be a screw shaft and a nut engaging the screw shaft or a pin and a nut engaging the pin.A tilting steering apparatus has this shaft and bush device. Namely the device is used as a pivot pin connecting an upper bracket rotatably holding an upper steering shaft and main bracket fixed to a body of an automobile. The device is also used for an expansion-shrinking device which swings the upper bracket against the main bracket. The expansion-shrinking device has a screw shaft and nut which form the shaft and bush device.

Abstract: A telescopic shaft includes an outer shaft, a first spline on the outer shaft, an inner shaft, a second spline on the inner shaft for engagement with the first spline, a threaded nut for depressing a threaded end portion of the outer shaft against the inner shaft, and a rod with a tapered end for depressing a tapered end portion of the inner shaft against the outer shaft.

Abstract: In a tilt steering equipment including a main bracket mounted to a vehicle body; an upper bracket with a steering wheel, which is pivoted at the main bracket around a tilt center; and a driving means supported by the main bracket to tilt the upper bracket against the main bracket, the driving means in fixed to the main bracket and has a drive center spaced from the tilt center and an engaging pin which rotates around the drive center. The upper bracket has an engaging slotted hole in which the engaging pin is inserted. According to the tilt steering equipment of this invention, the drive center of the driving means is spaced from the tilt center. Therefore, it is easy to assemble the equipment with high accuracy and a smaller torque is enough to tilt the upper bracket to the main bracket.

Abstract: A telescopic steering column assembly in which the length of a steering shaft may be adjusted comprising a pair of shafts which are telescopeable while maintaining rotary engagement, a fixed bracket mountable on a vehicle body for rotatably supporting one of said shafts while restricting the axial movement thereof relative to said fixed bracket, a movable bracket which is movable with respect to said fixed bracket for rotatably supporting the other shaft while restricting the axial movement thereof relative to said movable bracket, screw means including A pair of internally and externally threaded members which threadably engage for effecting the relative movement between said brackets and rotary drive means mounted on one of the brackets for imparting the rotary movement to said screw means.

Abstract: A movable type air balance panel is mounted beneath the front end of a motor vehicle. This balance panel moves upward and downward in response to the speed of the vehicle and is maintained in a retracted position when the brakes are applied, thereby decreasing the chance of damage to the balance panel. Air resistance is decreased during low speed operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: An up and down moving mechanism for an air spoiler associated with a movable grill for reducing air resistance is disclosed. The moving mechanism includes a speed sensor detecting the driving speed and transmitting a signal to a control circuit. A thermostat connects to a linkage for controlling the opening and closing of the movable grill in response to the water temperature in a radiator. A motor rotates in response to instructions transmitted from the control circuit and opens a gap between the air spoiler and a bumper. A first circuit detects the position of a thermostat rod and transmits a signal to the control circuit to lift the air spoiler. A second circuit detects a position of a motor rod and transmits a signal to the control circuit to stop a rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A rack and pinion gearing comprising a helical rack and a spiral pinion. The rack has a structure defined by a radius, a distance from the axis to tooth crest, a helix angle, and a pressure angle determined from the viewpoint of applied kinematics so as to produce a balancing moment of rotation. The structure keeps the rack free from inclination and rocking about the axis which would otherwise result in a biting effect.