Patent ID: 7559267

Claim:
A telescopic shaft used for steering of a vehicle in which a male shaft and a female shaft are fitted to each other non-rotatably and slidably, wherein at least one set of torque transmission spherical members are disposed in at least one first set of intermediate fitting portions formed on the outer circumferential surface of said male shaft and the inner circumferential surface of said female shaft, and a stopper plate for regulating movement of said at least one set of torque transmission members with respect to the axial direction is provided adjacent an end portion of said male shaft, being characterized in that: at least one torque transmission roller with a cylindrical surface portion is disposed in at least one second set of intermediate fitting portions formed on the outer circumferential surface of said male shaft and the inner circumferential surface of said female shaft; and said roller is preloaded in the axial direction by said stopper plate.