The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 30, 2007
Filed:
Nov. 25, 2003
Shigetaka Kinme, Kashihara, JP;
Kenichi Aota, Nara, JP;
Yasunori Takeda, Ikoma, JP;
Satoshi Kinoshita, Kozakai-Cho, JP;
Shigetaka Kinme, Kashihara, JP;
Kenichi Aota, Nara, JP;
Yasunori Takeda, Ikoma, JP;
Satoshi Kinoshita, Kozakai-Cho, JP;
Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd, Osaka, JP;
Fujikiko Kabushiki Kaisha, Kosa, JP;
Abstract
A first housing rotatably supports a steering shaft having an end portion coupled to a steering wheel. A second housing engages with the first housing via two impact energy absorbing rings separate from each other in the axial direction. The first housing and the second housing are relatively movable in the axial direction. One of the first housing and the second housing has first and second impact energy absorbing protrusions projected from positions between the impact energy absorbing rings separately in the axial direction so as to contact with the circumferential surface of the other of the first housing and the second housing. The impact energy absorbing protrusions therefore reduce the load applied to the impact energy absorbing rings in usual steering. Further, the impact energy absorbing rings reduce the load due to frictional resistance in impact energy absorption.