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:
Oct. 28, 2008
Filed:
May. 25, 2004
Shin Yoshimoto, Gunma, JP;
Kiyoharu Higashino, Gunma, JP;
Kiyoshi Sadakata, Gunma, JP;
NSK Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An automotive steering column apparatus has an inner column rotatably supporting a steering shaft, an outer column holding the inner column while rotatably embracing the inner column, a vehicle body side bracket having a vehicle body mount portion which can be mounted on a vehicle body and a pair of left and right facing flat plate portions which extend substantially vertically and disposed in such a manner as to surround the outer column, a clamping mechanism for changing a width of the pair of facing flat plate portions and changing a width of an inner circumferential surface of the outer column in connection with a change in the width of the pair of facing flat portions, and a shear ring mounted on at least either the inner circumferential surface of the outer column or an outer circumferential surface of the inner column. A shear permissive projection is provided on the shear ring. A groove is formed in at least either the inner circumferential surface of the outer column or the outer circumferential surface of the inner column. The shear permissive projection is in engagement with the groove.