Patent ID: 6334623
Filing Date: 2002-01-01
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A steering apparatus for a four-wheeled vehicle, comprising:a steering shaft adapted to be rotated by a handle; a reduction gear mechanism operatively connected to the steering shaft, the reduction gear mechanism including a pinion gear on an input side, a steering gear on an output side, the steering gear having internal teeth which are engaged with the pinion gear, a gear case in which the pinion gear and the steering gear are housed, and a pinion shaft on which the pinion gear is mounted, the pinion shaft being connected to the steering shaft; a steering lever operatively connected to the reduction gear mechanism; right and left tie rods operatively connected to the steering lever; right and left knuckles operatively connected to the right and left tie rods, respectively; a lever shaft on which the steering gear is mounted and being combined with the steering lever; and a spring by which the lever shaft is biased so that the internal teeth are pressed against the pinion gear, wherein the lever shaft has first and second end portions on first and second sides which are located on opposite sides with respect to a positon at which the steering gear is connected to the lever shaft, the first end portion being supported by a bearing on the gear case and the second end portion being supported with a radical clearance by a bearing hole formed in the gear case, and wherein the spring is disposed on the second side on which the bearing hole is formed.