A steering apparatus having inner and outer columns. The outer column includes a pair of side plate sections respectively extending in the axial direction, located on both sides in the width direction of the inner column, and has a column-side through hole that passes through in the width direction on one side of the inner column with respect to the height direction in a part in the axial direction thereof, and a column pressing section provided in at least one of the pair of plate sections and able to press the inner column in a direction away from the column-side through holes with respect to the height direction when displaced inward in the width direction, and a widening section in at least one of the pair of plate sections and pressed outward in the width direction via the inner column that is pressed by the column pressing sections.

A steering column assembly includes a steering shaft, a shroud, a support bracket and a clamping mechanism which clamps the shroud to the bracket. When the clamping mechanism is unclamped, the clamping mechanism permits the shroud to pivot about the pivot assembly to enable the steering column assembly to be adjusted for rake. The pivot assembly further includes a sleeve, a ring shaped busing, and a set of circumferentially arranged spacer members. The ring-shaped bushing defines a set of circumferentially spaced resilient members that each define a contact surface that contacts one of the sleeve and the bore. The spacer members are arranged alternately with the resilient members around the whole or a substantial part of the bushing.

A device for assembling a column tube (30) in an adjustable steering column assembly (20), comprising a spacer portion (70) adapted to provide rotational damping; provide damping during adjustment of the steering column assembly (e.g., telescope adjustment); and assist in centering the column tube when in an unlocked position and assist in resisting lash, The device further comprises a stop bracket portion (50) adapted to limit rotational travel of the column tube when in an unlocked position; and retain the column tube longitudinally within the steering column assembly.

The nut according to the present invention includes: a cylindrical portion having a female screw portion provided with spiral shaped thread grooves on an inner circumferential surface thereof; and a slit provided at one location in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion and opening to an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. The slit extends in an extending direction orthogonal to a direction of a lead angle in a portion of the thread grooves crossed by the slit.

The nut according to the present invention includes: a cylindrical portion having a female screw portion provided with spiral shaped thread grooves on an inner circumferential surface thereof; and a slit provided at one location in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion and opening to an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. The slit extends in an extending direction orthogonal to a direction of a lead angle in a portion of the thread grooves crossed by the slit.

The position adjustment mechanism is configured to perform a storage operation of storing the steering wheel in a storage position to secure a space in a driver seat for a driver and an adjustment operation of adjusting the steering wheel to a position suitable for driving within an adjustment operation range. The motor control unit is configured to drive the electric motor such that a speed of the steering wheel during the storage operation is higher than a speed of the steering wheel during the adjustment operation.

The position adjustment mechanism is configured to perform a storage operation of storing the steering wheel in a storage position to secure a space in a driver seat for a driver and an adjustment operation of adjusting the steering wheel to a position suitable for driving within an adjustment operation range. The motor control unit is configured to drive the electric motor such that a speed of the steering wheel during the storage operation is higher than a speed of the steering wheel during the adjustment operation.

Steering column having an adjustment limit stop comprising a body (1) receiving a deformable bearing (11), where the sleeve (4) supports the steering wheel and a mechanism (5) for tightening a shaft (52) with a lever (51) supporting a tightening device (53) compressing the deformable bearing (11).

The steering column comprises a stop device (6) with a stop edge (612) supported by the sleeve (4) and with which a bolt (62) cooperates, limiting the adjustment travel of the sleeve (4), whilst being retracted after the adjustments of the column have been tightened, enabling, in the event of an impact on the steering wheel, travel of the sleeve to be available to absorb the energy.

Steering column having an adjustment limit stop comprising a body (1) receiving a deformable bearing (11), where the sleeve (4) supports the steering wheel and a mechanism (5) for tightening a shaft (52) with a lever (51) supporting a tightening device (53) compressing the deformable bearing (11).

The steering column comprises a stop device (6) with a stop edge (612) supported by the sleeve (4) and with which a bolt (62) cooperates, limiting the adjustment travel of the sleeve (4), whilst being retracted after the adjustments of the column have been tightened, enabling, in the event of an impact on the steering wheel, travel of the sleeve to be available to absorb the energy.

A steering column assembly comprises a shroud having an upper shroud part and a lower shroud part movable telescopically relative to one another, and a steering shaft. The upper shroud part carries an energy absorbing device which in normal use moves together with the upper shroud part. A blocking device is fixed to the lower shroud part or to a part of the vehicle that is fixed relative to the lower shroud part; and a connecting rod is connected at a first end to the blocking device and at a second end to a spring which is in turn connected to the lower shroud part or to the fixed part of the vehicle. An initiator module engages with a part of the connecting rod or spring when the blocking mechanism is in the unlocked position thereby to isolate the blocking device from the force of the spring.