Abstract:
An apparatus for supporting a steering column has a cross member spanned over two right-and-left walls of a car body at a portion just anterior to a driver&#39;s seat, a support bracket integrally fixedly connected to a portion, aligned with the driver&#39;s seat, of an intermediate portion of the cross member, a supported bracket fixedly connected to an intermediate portion of the steering column, and a connecting member for connecting the support bracket and the supported bracket to each other with no intermediary of other brackets.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Japanese patent applications Nos. 10-215045 and 11-034191 which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an improvement of a steering column supporting apparatus for supporting on a car body a steering column constituting a steering device of an automobile, and to a steering column supporting apparatus capable of reducing costs by decreasing the number of parts and the number of assembly processes. 
     2. Related Background Art 
     FIGS. 27-29 show one example of an automobile steering apparatus which has hitherto been known. A motion of an unillustrated steering wheel is transmitted to a steering gear which is not likewise illustrated via a steering shaft  36  and an unillustrated universal joint, thereby imparting a steering angle to front wheels. Further, the steering shaft  36  is rotatably supported inside a steering column  6  supported on a car body. This steering column  6  is fixedly supported through a support bracket  38  and a supported bracket  39  on a fixed bracket  37  fixed by welding to a cross member  1  provided on the car body. 
     The support bracket  38  is fixedly connected to the fixed bracket  37  by use of bolts  40 ,  40  and nuts  46 ,  46 . The supported bracket  39  is fixedly connected by welding to an intermediate portion of the steering column  6 . Then, the supported bracket  39  is fixedly connected to the support bracket  39  by use of a bolt  11  and a nut  12 . 
     Note that the example illustrated therein shows a shock absorbing tilt type steering apparatus given a shock absorbing function of absorbing a shock applied to a body of the driver who has collided with the steering wheel when at a secondary collision, and a function of making adjustable of a height position of the steering wheel. A contrivance of providing the shock absorbing function thereof involves the use of a collapsible steering column  6  of which an entire length is reduced while absorbing an impact energy. In addition, a supported bracket  39  is so supported by a support bracket  38  as to be detachable therefrom when a strong force acting forward (leftward in FIG. 2) is applied. 
     A front side end (a left side end in FIG. 27) of the steering column  6  is supported on a car body  42  in a rockable manner about shafts  41 ,  41 . To be specific, a rock bracket  44  fixed by welding to the front side end of the steering column is pivotally supported through the horizontal shafts  41 ,  41  by a lower fixed bracket  43  fixed to the car body  42  with a bolt. Further, the bolt  11  engages with an elongate hole  45  formed in the support bracket  38  and taking a circular arc with the horizontal shaft  41  being centered. Note that a structure of the shock absorbing tilt type steering apparatus, which has hitherto been known, is not related to the gist of the present invention, and hence a detailed description thereof is omitted. 
     The prior art structure described above requires a large number of parts needed for supporting the steering column on the car body, which inevitably leads to a rise in terms of costs. Namely, the prior art structure requires at least “the fixed bracket  37 ”, “the support bracket  38 ”, “plural pairs of bolts  40 ,  40  and nuts  46 ,  46  for connecting the fixed bracket  37  and the support bracket  38  to each other”. 
     It is therefore inevitable that a parts working cost, a parts management cost and an assembly cost rise due to an increase in the number of parts, which might induce a rise in the costs for automobile steering apparatus including a steering column supporting apparatus. Further, it is required that the plural pairs of bolts  40 ,  40  and nuts  46 ,  46  for connecting the fixed bracket  37  and the support bracket  38  to each other, be disposed, as obvious from FIG. 28, at a large pitch to some extent in terms of how much a tool for fastening the bolts  40 ,  40  and the nuts  46 ,  46  can be handled. Consequently, there arises a necessity for setting width dimensions (right-and-left directional dimensions in FIG. 28) of the fixed bracket  37  and of the support bracket  38  larger than substantially needed, with the result that the steering column supporting apparatus is downsized and reduced in weight with a difficulty. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, which provides an apparatus for supporting a steering column was devised under such circumstances. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for supporting a steering column comprises a cross member spanned over two right-and-left walls of a car body at a portion just anterior to a driver&#39;s seat, a support bracket integrally fixedly connected to a portion, aligned with the driver&#39;s seat, of an intermediate portion of the cross member, a supported bracket fixedly connected to an intermediate portion of the steering column, and a connecting member for connecting the support bracket and the supported bracket to each other with no intermediary of other brackets. 
     More preferably, in addition to the requirement given above, the following requirements (1)-(3) are provided. 
     (1) The support bracket includes a pair of right-and-left support plate members parallel to each other and is fixedly connected by welding to the cross member. The supported bracket is interposed between the pair of support plate members in a state of being fixed by welding to the steering column. The connecting member is a bolt penetrating the pair of support plate members and the supported bracket. The supported bracket is fixedly supported by the pair of support plate member with a nut screwed to the tip of the bolt and with a head of the bolt. 
     (2) The supported bracket is supported in an up-and-down position adjustable manner by the support bracket, and the front side end of the steering column is supported in a rockable manner by a rock support member provided at a front side end of the support bracket. 
     (3) In addition to at least the requirement (1) (further to the two requirements (1) and (2) as the necessity may arise), the supported bracket is so connected to said support bracket as to be shiftable forward when a strong load acting forward is applied to said steering column. The front side end of the steering column is supported by a shock absorbing member provided at the front side end of the support bracket. The shock absorbing member, if the strong load is applied thereto, permits the steering column to shift forward while being plastically deformed. 
     In the case of the thus constructed apparatus for supporting the steering column according to the present invention, the support bracket is integrally fixed connected to the cross member, it is therefore possible to reduce the number of parts by omitting the “fixed bracket” and the “plural pairs of bolts and nuts for connecting the fixed bracket and the support bracket to each other” which have hitherto been required for the prior art structure described above. As a result, the costs for the automobile steering apparatus including the steering column supporting apparatus can be restrained small by decreasing each of the parts working cost, the parts management cost and the assembly cost. Further, with the plural pairs of bolts and nuts being unnecessary, the width of the support bracket can be set to a dimension necessary for supporting the steering column. Therefore, in combination with the omissions of the “fixed bracket” and the “plural pairs of bolts and nuts for connecting the fixed bracket and the support bracket to each other”, the steering column supporting apparatus can be downsized and decreased in weight. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line  2 — 2  in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line  5 — 5  in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional side view showing a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line  8 — 8  in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional side view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 11 is a side view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 13 is a side view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional side view showing a seventh embodiment when in a normal state; 
     FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional side view showing the seventh embodiment in a state where a secondary collision happens; 
     FIG. 16 is a fragmentary vertical sectional side view showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention when in the normal state; 
     FIG. 17 is a fragmentary vertical sectional side view showing the eighth embodiment in the state where the secondary collision happens; 
     FIG. 18 is a side view showing an initial stage of an assembly work; 
     FIG. 19 is a side view showing a final stage thereof; 
     FIG. 20 is a fragmentary vertical sectional side view showing a ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line  21 — 21  in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 22 a fragmentary vertical sectional side view showing a tenth embodiment of the present invention in a midway state of the assembly; 
     FIG. 23 is a view showing a structure with only a cross member and a support bracket being taken out as viewed from the right side in FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along the line  24 — 24  in FIG. 22 with some portions being omitted; 
     FIG. 25 is a side view showing an eleventh embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along the line  26 — 26  in FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 27 is a side view showing a first example of a prior art structure; 
     FIG. 28 is a sectional view taken along the line  28 — 28  in FIG. 27; and 
     FIG. 29 is a view taken along the arrow H in FIG. 27, illustrating the structure with a steering column and a steering shaft being removed. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of an apparatus for supporting a steering column according to the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     A support bracket  2  is composed of a metal plate crooked substantially in a U-shape, and includes a pair of right-and-left support plate members  3 ,  3  parallel to each other, and a connecting plate member  4  for connecting upper side edges of the two support plate members  3 ,  3  to each other. An upper side edge of the thus constructed support bracket  2  is circularly cut away  5 , and a lower half portion of the cross member  1  is tightly fitted in this cut away portion  5 . In the support bracket  2 , the intermediate lower half portion of the cross member  1  is fitted in the cut away portion  5 , and in this state contact portions are welded to each other, thereby fixedly connecting these portions to each other. Note that this welding work is implemented beforehand in a factory of manufacturing the cross member  1  (before assembling the car body). 
     On the other hand, the supported bracket  7  is fixedly connected by welding to an intermediate portion of the steering column  6 . This supported bracket  7  is composed of a metal plate such as a steel plate exhibiting a sufficient rigidity, which is crooked substantially in a C-shape in section (an angled C-shape). The supported bracket  7  includes a pair of right-and-left supported plate members  8 ,  8  parallel to each other, and a connecting plate member  9  for connecting upper side edges of the two supported plate members  8 ,  8  to each other. The thus constructed supported bracket  7  has crooked edges  10 ,  10  provided at lower side edges of the two supported plate members  8 ,  8 , and these crooked edges  10 ,  10  are abutted upon and welded to an outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion of the steering column  6 , whereby the supported bracket  7  is fixedly connected to the intermediate portion of the steering column  6 . 
     The supported bracket  7 , which has been thus fixedly connected to the intermediate portion of the steering column  6 , is fixedly connected to the support bracket  2  by use of the bolt  11  and the nut  12  as connecting members, the bracket  12  being fixed to the intermediate portion of the cross member  1 . To be specific, the bolt  11  is inserted into through-holes  13   a,    13   b  formed in the support plate members  3 ,  3  of the support bracket  2 , and into through-holes  14 ,  14  formed in the supported plate members  8 ,  8  of the supported bracket  7 , and the nut  12  is screwed to the tip (a left side end in FIG. 2) of the bolt  11 . Then, thus nut  12  is fastened, and the pair of support plate members  3  are pressed against outer surfaces of the pair of right-and-left supported plate members  8 ,  8  constituting the supported bracket  7  with the nut  12  and a head  15  of the bolt  11 , whereby the supported bracket  7  is fixedly supported in between the pair of support plate members  3 ,  3 . Note that a pair of flat surfaces  16  parallel to each other are formed in positions, opposite to each other in the diametrical direction, of the outer peripheral surface of the head  15 , and the head  15  is non-circularly fitted into the through-hole  13   a  at the portions formed with the flat surfaces  16  in the embodiment illustrated herein. Accordingly, it never happens that the bolt  11  rotates when the nut  12  is fastened. Further, a washer  17  is interposed between the nut  12  and the support plate member  3 . 
     In the case of the thus structured apparatus for supporting the steering column according to the present invention, the support bracket  2  is integrally fixedly connected by welding to the cross member  1 . It is therefore feasible to reduce the number of parts by omitting “the fixed bracket  37 ” and “the plural pairs of bolts  40 ,  40  and nuts  46 ,  46  for connecting the fixed bracket  37  to the support bracket  38 ” which are needed for the prior art structure as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. As a result, the costs for the automobile steering equipment including the steering column supporting apparatus, can be restrained small by reducing each of a parts working cost, a parts management cost and an assembly cost. Further, the steering column supporting apparatus can be downsized and decreased in weight. 
     Next, FIGS.3-5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the present invention is applied to a steering column supporting apparatus for constructing a tilt-type steering apparatus capable of adjusting a height position of the steering wheel in accordance with a driving posture and a physique of the driver. For this application, the second example takes such a configuration that elongate holes  18   a,    18   b  each extending in up-and-down directions are formed in mutually-aligned positions in the pair of support plate members  3 ,  3  constituting the support bracket  2 . Then, a contrivance is that the bolt  11  is capable of rising and lowering along the elongate holes  18   a,    18   b,  and, with an engagement of the pair of flat surfaces  16   a  formed on the head  15  of the bolt  11  with a side edge of the elongate hole  18   a,  a rotation of the bolt  11  is prevented (the rotation about a central axis of the bolt  11  itself is prevented). Further, a proximal end of a tilt lever  19  is fixedly connected by use of a screw  20  screwed into a nut  12   a  to the tip (corresponding to a lower side end in FIG. 4 but a left side end in FIG. 5) of the nut  12   a  of which a proximal end (corresponding to an upper side end in FIG. 4 but a right side end in FIG. 5) is screwed to the tip of the bolt  11 . 
     In the thus configured second embodiment, when adjusting the height position of the steering wheel, a spacing between the nut  12  and the head  15  is expanded by operating the tilt lever  19  in a predetermined direction. In this state, a frictional force between the inner surfaces of the support plate members  3 ,  3  and the outer surfaces of the supported plate members  8 ,  8  constituting the supported bracket  7 , is reduced or lost. Such being the case, as kept in this state, if the unillustrated steering wheel is moved in the up-and-down directions, the steering column  6  is raised and lowered. In a state where the height position of the steering wheel is shifted to a desired position, the spacing between the nut  12   a  and the head  15  is narrowed by manipulating the tilt lever  19  in a reverse direction, with the result that there increases the frictional force between the inner surfaces of the support plate members  3 ,  3  and the outer surfaces of the supported plate members  8 ,  8  constituting the supported bracket  7 . Then, the height position of the steering wheel is fixed in a position after being controlled. 
     It is to be noted that if the elongate holes formed in the support plate members  3 ,  3  extend in the axial direction of the steering column  6 , not the height position but a front-and-rear position of the steering wheel can be set adjustable. Moreover, the elongate holes  18   a,    18   b  extending in the up-and-down directions can be formed in the support plate members  3 ,  3 , and elongate holes extending in the back-and-forth directions can be formed in the supported plate members  8 ,  8  of the supported bracket  7  (the positions for forming the respective elongate holes may be reversed), whereby the height position and the front-and-rear positions of the steering wheel can also be set adjustable. In the case of setting the front-and-rear positions adjustable, as a matter of course, the steering column and, in addition, the steering shaft  36  supported inside the steering column  6  are so constructed as to be shiftable (including a collapsible structure) in the back-and-forth directions. 
     Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment discussed above, and hence the repetitive explanations thereof are omitted with the same components being marked with the like numerals. 
     Next, FIGS. 6 to  8  show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment also, as in the case of the second embodiment discussed above, the present invention is applied to the steering column supporting apparatus for constituting the tilt type steering apparatus. Particularly in the case of the third embodiment, a supported bracket  7   a  taking substantially a U-shape is fixedly welded to a lower surface of the intermediate portion of the steering column  6 . Then, a pair of right-and-left supported plate members  8   a,    8   a  protruded upwards of the steering column  6 , hold the pair of right-and-left support plate members  3 ,  3  constituting the support bracket  2  from both of the right and left sides. 
     Thus, with a reversed geometry of the supported plate members  8   a,    8   a  and the support plate members  3 ,  3 , the elongate holes  18   a,    18   b  extending in the up-and-down directions are formed on the supported plate members  8   a,    8   a,  while the support plate members  3 ,  3  are formed with through-holes  14 ,  14  through which the bolt  11  can merely be inserted. Further, a bridging bracket  21  taking substantially a U-shape in section is provided between peripheral portions of the through-holes  14 ,  14  inwardly of the inner surfaces of the pair of support plate members  3 ,  3 . The bridging bracket  21 , when reducing the spacing between a nut  12   a  and the head  15  of the bolt  11  by manipulating the tilt lever  19 , performs a function of preventing the spacing between the pair of supported plate members  8   a,    8   a  from being narrowed and sufficiently enhancing a contact pressure between the outer surfaces of the support plate members  3 ,  3  and the inner surfaces of the supported plate members  8   a,    8   a.    
     Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first and second examples discussed above, and hence the repetitive explanations thereof are omitted with the same components being marked with the like numerals. 
     Next, FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, as in the second and third embodiments described above, in order to apply the present invention to the steering column supporting apparatus for constituting the tilt type steering apparatus, the supported bracket  7  is supported by a support bracket  2   a  so that the up-and-down positions thereof are set adjustable. The structure and operation of the mechanism for making the up-and-down positions adjustable are the same as those in the second embodiment discussed above, and hence the repetitive explanations thereof are omitted with the same components being marked with the like numerals. 
     Especially in the case of the fourth embodiment, the front side end of the support bracket  2   a  is provided with an overhanging plate member  22  bent downward from a front edge of a connecting plate member  4   a  forming the support bracket  2   a,  which serves as a rock support member for supporting the front side end of the steering column  6  in a rockable manner. Then, an annular bush  24  fixedly externally fitted to the front side end of the steering column  6  is held inside a support hole  23  formed in the overhanging plate member  22 . When the supported bracket  7  is ascended and descended in order to adjust the height position of the steering wheel, the overhanging plate member  22  makes a rocking movement based on an elastic deformation of said overhanging plate member  22  with respect to the connecting plate member  4   a.    
     In the case of the structured in the fourth embodiment explained above, the function of the bracket for supporting rockably the front side end of the steering column  6 , is given to the support bracket  2   a,  and it is therefore feasible to reduce the cost for the automobile steering apparatus including the steering column supporting apparatus by further decreasing the number of parts when constructing the tilt type steering apparatus. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the example  2  described above. 
     Next, FIGS. 11-12 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. A contrivance in the fifth embodiment is that a support bracket  25  is fixedly connected to the front side end of the support bracket  2   b  by using nuts  26 ,  26  welded and fixed to the front side end of the support bracket  2   b  and screws  27 ,  27 . Further, a supported bracket  28  constituting a rock supporting portion in combination with the support bracket  25 , is also fixed likewise by welding to the front side end of the steering column  6 . The supported bracket  28  is pivotally supported in a rockable manner by the support bracket  25  through a pair of right-and-left pivots  29 ,  29 . Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the fourth embodiment described above. 
     Next, FIG. 13 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the sixth embodiment, a U-shaped supported bracket  28   a  with its front being opened is fixed by welding to an upper surface of the front side end of the steering column  6 . Further, a pipe-like pivot  29   a  is fixedly supported between the front side ends of the pair of right-and-left support plate members  3 ,  3  constituting the support bracket so as to span over the pair of support plate members  3 ,  3 . The front side end of the steering column  6  is pivotally supported in the rockable manner by the front side end of the support bracket  2 , which involves closing an opening of the pivotal supported bracket  28   a  with a screw  30  in a state where the pivot  29   a  is thrust into the pivotal supported bracket  28   a.  In this state, the front side end of the steering column  6  is pivotally supported in the rockable manner by the front side end of the support bracket  2 . Moreover, the pivot  29   a  is shiftable in the axial direction of the steering column  6  within the supported bracket  28   a,  whereby a dimensional error of each member can be absorbed. Note that a screw hole, into which the tip of the screw  30  is screwed, is formed by tapping in an inner peripheral surface of a burring hole formed in one side end of the supported bracket  28   a.  Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the examples  4  and  5  described above. 
     Subsequently, FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the seventh embodiment, the supported bracket  7  fixed by welding to the intermediate portion of the steering column  6 , is so connected to the support bracket  2  as to be shiftable forward when a strong load acting forward is applied to the steering column  6 . For attaining this configuration in the seventh embodiment, the cut-away portions  31  opened on the rear edge sides of the supported plate members  8 ,  8  are formed in mutually-aligned positions of the pair of right-and-left supported plate members  8 ,  8  constituting the supported bracket  7 . The bolt  11  for connecting the supported bracket  7  to the support bracket  2  is inserted into each of the cut-away portions  31 . 
     In the seventh embodiment having the above construction, as illustrated in FIG. 14, at a normal time the bolt  11  exists deep in the cut-away portion  31 . By contrast, if a secondary collision subsequent to an accident of collision happens wherein the body of the driver impinges on the steering wheel with the result that a strong impact load acting forward is applied to the steering column  6 , as shown in FIG. 15, the bolt  11  comes out of each of the cut-away portions  31  enough to allow the steering column  6  to shift forward. Then, this prevents a large impact from being exerted upon the body of the driver who has just impinged upon the steering wheel. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the embodiment  2  illustrated in FIGS. 4-5. 
     Next, FIGS,  16 - 19  show an eighth embodiment of the present invention. A contrivance in the eighth embodiment is that the front side end of the steering column  6  is supported by a shock absorbing member  32  provided at the front side end of the support bracket  2 . Then, this shock absorbing member  32 , if the strong impact load acting forward subsequently to the secondary collision is applied to the steering column  6 , is given a shock absorbing function of permitting the steering column  6  to shift forward while being plastically deformed. 
     The shock absorbing member  32  is, for incorporating this shock absorbing function, configured such that a band-like portion extending forward from the front edge of the connecting plate member  4  constituting the support bracket  2 , is folded in a U-shape. On the other hand, a pin  34  is supported through a bracket  33  upwardly of the front side end of the steering column  6 . This bracket  33  combined with the pin  34  and the shock absorbing member constitutes the rock support member. Then, the pin  34  is positioned inside the folded portion  35  of the shock absorbing member  32 , and functions as a pivot serving as the center of rock movement of the tilt type steering apparatus at the normal time. 
     If the secondary collision subsequent to the accident of collision happens wherein the body of the driver impinges on the steering wheel with the result that the strong impact load acting forward is applied to the steering column  6 , as shown in FIG. 17, the bolt  11  supporting the supported bracket  7  on the support bracket  2  comes out of each of the cut-away portions  31  enough to allow the steering column  6  to shift forward. Simultaneously, the folded portion  35  of the shock absorbing member  32  is withdrawn by the pin  34 , whereby the folded portion  35  moves toward the front edge of the shock absorbing portion. On this occasion, the shock absorbing member  32  is plastically deformed, and thus absorbs an impact energy applied to the steering column from the body of the driver. Then, this prevents more effectively the large impact from being exerted upon the body of the driver who has impinged upon the steering wheel. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the seventh example illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. 
     Note that an assembly work of the structure in the eighth embodiment can be easily performed. That is, in a factory for working the cross member  1 , the front side end of the shock absorbing member  32  is protruded downward as illustrated in FIG. 18 in a state where the support bracket  2  is assemble to the cross member  1 . Then, the front side end of the shock absorbing member  32  is inserted into a gap between the pin  34  and the upper surface of the front side end of the steering column  6  in the car assembly factory. On the occasion of this inserting work, the steering column  6  is set more lateral (horizontal) than in a state of completion of the assembly. Then, when the front side end of the shock absorbing member  32  is inserted up to a position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 19, the rear portion of the steering column  6  is raised as shown by the chain dotted line in FIG. 19, and a tilt angle of the steering column  6  is set in a state of completion of the assembly. On this occasion, the shock absorbing member  32  is pressed by the upper surface of the front side end of the steering column  6  and thereby plastically deformed, thus coming into the state of completion of the assembly shown in FIG.  16 . The assembly work of the structure in the eighth embodiment can be easily performed in this way. 
     Next, FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a ninth embodiment of the present invention. A structure in the ninth embodiment is also, as in the eighth embodiment described above, provided with the shock absorbing function of absorbing the impact applied to the body of the driver who has impinged upon the steering wheel when at the secondary collision, and the function of making adjustable the height position of the steering wheel. For attaining these functions, in the ninth example, the front side end of the steering column  6  is supported so as to be shiftable in the axial direction (the right-and-left directions in FIG. 20) as well as being slightly rockable with respect to a lower fixed bracket  43   a  fixed to the car body. More specifically, a bush  48  composed of an elastic material such as elastomer etc like rubber is engaged inside a cylindrical portion  47  provided at the lower fixed bracket  43   a.  The front side end of the steering column  6  is press-fitted into the bush  48 . In this state, the front side end of the steering column  6  is supported in the rockable manner based on the elastic deformation of the bush  48 . 
     On the other hand, the supported bracket  7  fixed by welding to the intermediate portion of the steering column  6  is, with the same structure as the prior art structure shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, supported in an up-and-down position adjustable manner by the support bracket  2  fixed by welding directly to the cross member  1 . Therefore, the support bracket  2  is formed in the U-shape with the upper portion being opened and the lower ends being connected to each other. When assembling the above structure in the ninth example, the steering column  6  is inserted inside the support bracket  2 , and thereafter the front side end of the steering column  6  is press-fitted into the bush  48 . Subsequently, the supported bracket  7  is connected to the support bracket  2  with the bolt  11  and the nut  12 . Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the respective examples discussed above. 
     Next, FIGS. 22-24 show a tenth embodiment of the present invention. A configuration in the tenth embodiment is that the support bracket  2  is formed with the cut-away portions  49 ,  49  through which the elongate holes  18   a,    18   b  into which the bolt  11  is loosely fitted communicate with the rear edge of the support bracket  2 . These two cut away portions  49 ,  49  have a width large enough to admit passing of the bolt  11 . Accordingly, when assembling the structure in the tenth example, the bolt  11 , the nut  12  and further the tilt lever  19  can be previously assembled to the supported bracket  7  in the factory for manufacturing the steering column. Accordingly, the number of processes in the automobile assembly factory can be reduced. 
     Namely, in the factor for manufacturing the steering column  6 , the above-described members,  11 ,  12 ,  19  are assembled to the supported bracket  7 , and a spacer  50  composed of a synthetic resin or a metal plate etc substantially in the U-shape, is interposed between the bolt  11 , the nut  12  and the supported bracket  7 . Then, the bolt  11  and the but  12  are fastened. Note that the spacer  50  has a thickness equal to the support bracket  7 , and cut away portions through which to insert the bolt  11  are formed in the opposed positions of the two side ends of the spacer  50 . In the automobile assembly factory, the bolt  11  and the nut  12  are slackened to remove the spacer  50 , and thereafter the front side end of the steering column  6  is press-fitted into the bush  48 . At the same time, the bolt  11  is inserted via the two cut-away portions  49 ,  49  into the elongate holes  18   a,    18   b.  The spacer  50  is sent back to the factory of manufacturing the steering column  6  and reused there. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the ninth example. 
     Next, FIGS. 25 and 26 show an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The eleventh embodiment involves the use of a collapsible type steering column  6  of which an entire length is reduced while absorbing the impact energy, and the front side end of the steering column  6  is, as in the case of the prior art structure shown in FIGS. 27-29, supported rockably with a structure including a horizontal shaft  41 . Further, with such a structure being taken, a rock bracket  44  is fixed by welding to the front side end of the steering column  6 . With this configuration, the support bracket  2  used herein takes a shape with its lower portion being opened, and the intermediate portion of the steering column  6  is insertable from the lower opening into the support bracket  2 . 
     A pair of right-and-left plate members  51 ,  51  constituting the support bracket  2  may be formed separately, however, it is a free option to integrally connect the plate members  51 ,  51  in a position upper than the steering column  6  (an upper end position in, e.g., FIG.  26 ). Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the ninth or tenth example discussed above. 
     The steering column supporting apparatus of the present invention is constructed and operates as described above, and can be therefore actualized at low costs with the decreases both in size and in weight.