Patent ID: 7328917
Filing Date: 2008-02-12
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. In a steering apparatus supporting a steering shaft to which a steering wheel is attached such that the steering shaft is changeable in axis-directional position, the steering apparatus comprising: an inner column supporting the steering shaft rotatably; a pair of brackets fitted to a vehicle body and disposed in positions facing each other with respect to an axis of the steering shaft; a tension member extending between the pair of brackets; two fixing members fixing the tension member from outside of the pair of brackets; a displacement causing member, disposed between the tension member and one of the fixing members, causing a relative displacement between the pair of brackets; and an outer column held on the vehicle body through a connection between the tension member, the brackets and the fixing members, having a pressing portion between the pair of brackets, of which an outer periphery is engaged with both of the pair of brackets due to relative displacement of the brackets, and having an inner peripheral surface embracing an outer periphery of the inner column, wherein the pair of brackets cooperating with the tension member approach one another due to displacement caused by the displacement causing member, a pressing force is thereby applied to the inner column via the pressing portion of the outer column, the inner column maintains its axis-directional position with respect to the brackets through the outer column, furthermore, a straight line connecting centers of the two fixing members and extending through the outer column and the inner column is shifted with respect to the longitudinal axis line of the inner column, and the tension member is provided outside to said outer column, and wherein a slit extends on at least one of an upper side and a lower side of the outer column, and the line connecting centers of the two fixing members is shifted to the side of one of the slits with respect to the longitudinal axis line of the inner column.