Patent ID: 8262165

Claim:
A connecting device that connects two components to allow rotation between the two components, comprising: two connecting elements that respectively integrally connect to the two components and couple to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other; and a retainer member that prevents the two connecting elements from being axially separated from each other, wherein the two connecting elements can be switched between a relatively rotatable condition and a relatively unrotatable condition depending on an operational condition of a rotation prevention mechanism disposed between the two connecting elements, wherein the retainer member has a plurality of axially extending retainer strips that are capable of axially crossing over and confining outer circumferential portions of the connecting elements, wherein one of the connecting elements has radially inwardly depressed portions that are provided circumferentially in a plurality of locations on the outer circumferential portion of the one of the connecting elements, wherein the retainer member is configured such that when the retainer strips are axially inserted into the depressed portions of the outer circumferential portion of the one of the connecting elements and then distal ends of the inserted retainer strips are radially inwardly bent to form contact surface portions, the contact surface portions are axially pressed against the outer circumferential portion of the one of the connecting elements, wherein the one of the connecting elements has fitting portions that are configured to be fitted to one of the components, and the fitting portions are provided circumferentially in a plurality of locations on the outer circumferential portion of the one of the connecting elements and are positioned between circumferentially adjacent depressed portions, and wherein the fitting portions protrude in an axial direction of the one of the connecting elements.