Patent ID: 9254860
Filing Date: 2016-02-09
CPC Classification: B60R,B62D

Claim Text:
1. An outer column, the outer column formed using a metal material into a cylindrical shape as a whole, and constructing a steering column by fitting with an inner column so that sliding is possible, and the outer column comprising: a slit formed in one half section in an axial direction of the outer column for decreasing a rigidity in a radial direction of the one half section in the axial direction; and a pair of supported sections provided in positions on both sides of the slit in a width direction of the outer column, with through holes formed in portions of the pair of supported sections that are aligned with each other; the slit comprising a main slit section formed in the axial direction; and a sub slit section formed in a circumferential direction of a front-end section of both end sections in the axial direction of the main slit section in case that the outer column is arranged on a rear side, or in a circumferential direction of a rear-end section of both end sections in the axial direction of the main slit section in case that the outer column is arranged on a front side, with the front or rear end section in the axial direction of the main slit section being open to part in the circumferential direction of the sub slit section; a length in the circumferential direction from the main slit section to one end section of both end sections of the sub slit section, which is in one half section in the width direction of the outer column is, longer than a length in the circumferential direction from the main slit section to the other end section which is in the other half section in the width direction of the outer column; a first area of the slit in the one half section in the width direction is larger than a second area of the slit in the other half section in the width direction, and a rigidity in the width direction of the one half section in width direction of a portion of the outer column where the slit is formed is less than a rigidity in the width direction of the other half section in the width direction of the portion of the outer column where the slit is formed.