Mazda Motor Corporation

Michio Kado

Keisuke Miyoshi

Shuji Sanagi

Takashi Nishigami

A structural arrangement for supporting a tilt steering device includes a steering column into which a steering shaft coupled at one end thereof with a steering wheel, is inserted so as to be rotatable. A lower steering column bracket is attached to the lower end portion of the steering column, and a connecting bracket is attached to the vehicle body, facing the lower steering column bracket. A shaft supports the lower steering column bracket to the connecting bracket so that each bracket is able to rotate with respect to each other. A rotation blocking element is located between the lower steering column bracket and the connecting bracket so that the bracket does not rotate with respect to each other when a force, which is larger than a predetermined force, is applied between each bracket.

Structural arrangement for supporting a tilt steering drive

An automotive vehicle door lock apparatus consists of a latch mechanism having a latch for latching a door by latching a striker secured to a vehicle body upon closing the door, a door release or unlatch mechanism for unlatching the door by releasing the striker from the latch and a lock mechanism for locking the door by operationally disabling the unlatching mechanism. The unlatching mechanism is in cooperation with a disconnecting mechanism having an extension arm which extends laterally toward the outer door panel. Upon a lateral car crash, the extension arm is pushed laterally inward by the crushed outer door panel to operate and operationally disable the unlatching mechanism independently of the unlatching mechanism.

Growing community of inventors

Hiroshima, Japan

Michio Kado