Steering system

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a steering device that has a simple structure and can be manufactured at low cost and also can be compactly stored in a vehicle.CONSTITUTION: A left side plate 1L is integrally formed below an inner end of a left upper plate 2L, and a right side plate 2R is integrally formed below an inner end of a right upper plate 1R. A front end of the left side plate 1L and a front end of a right side plate 1R are connected by a connection upper plate 3, and the left side plate 1L, the connection upper plate 3, and the right side plate 1R are continuously and integrally formed. A total length of the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R is shorter than a total length of the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R. A total length of the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R is formed substantially equal to a length of the connection upper plate 3, and all of these members are pressed from one metal plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering device that has a simple structure, can be manufactured at low cost, and can be compactly stored inside a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various products in which a vehicle mounting bracket in a steering device is integrally press-worked from a metal plate have been developed. Many of them have complex shapes and structures.

[0003] By the way, in a vehicle mounting bracket in a steering device provided with a tilt mechanism, when the adjustment range in the vertical direction of the tilt is increased, the lengths of the right side plate and the left side plate become longer.

[0004] In the vehicle mounting bracket of Patent Document 1, the length of the connection upper plate directly affects the lengths of the right side plate and the left side plate (see FIG. 6). Specifically, in the developed view before press working, a left upper plate 31L is formed at the left position, and a right upper plate 31R is formed at the right position. Further, a left side plate 33L is integrally formed inside the left upper plate 31L, and a right side plate 33R is integrally formed inside the right upper plate 31R. And the connection upper plate 32 is formed continuously with the left upper plate 31L and the right upper plate 31R. The total length of the left side plate 33L and the right side plate 33R is formed to be longer than the total length of the left upper plate 31L and the right upper plate 31R, and is formed so that the total length 2c2 of the left side plate 31L and the right side plate 31R is equal to the length (N: filled in by the agent) of the connection upper plate 32.

[0005] Therefore, although the vehicle mounting bracket in Patent Document 1 has a relatively simple structure consisting of a single press-formed metal plate, the connecting upper plate 32 that connects the left upper plate 31L and the right upper plate 31R is too long. As a result, the height of the connecting upper plate 3 of the bent vehicle mounting bracket becomes too high, which may worsen the ease of mounting it to the vehicle body. For this reason, the length of the connecting upper plate 32 is adjusted by compressing it while bending it with a press to make the plate thickness T2 of the connecting upper plate 32 thicker than the plate thickness T1 of the left upper plate 31L, left side plate 33L, right upper plate 31R, and right side plate 33R, or by widening the plate width of the connecting upper plate 32. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-75659 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Therefore, the problem (technical problem or objective, etc.) that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a vehicle body mounting bracket that allows a connecting upper plate to be formed to an appropriate length simply by punching out and bending a single metal sheet without compression. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention has been diligently researched and has now provided a steering device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, in a vehicle mounting bracket for a steering device, a left side plate is integrally formed below the inner end of a left upper plate located on the left side, and a right side plate is integrally formed below the inner end of a right upper plate located on the right side, the front end of the left side plate and the front end of the right side plate are connected by a connecting upper plate, the left side plate, the connecting upper plate and the right side plate are continuous and integrally formed, the total length of the left upper plate and the right upper plate is shorter than the total length of the left side plate and the right side plate, and the total length of the left upper plate and the right upper plate is approximately equal to the length of the connecting upper plate, and all of these components are press-formed from a single metal plate, thereby solving the above problems.

[0009] The invention of claim 2, in claim 1, the left upper plate and the right The steering device is characterized in that the side upper plates are each formed horizontally, the left side plate and the right side plate are each formed in a hanging shape, and the connecting upper plate is formed in a gate shape, thereby solving the above problem. The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in claim 1 or 2, the three-dimensional surface portions perpendicular to the left and right upper plates and left and right side plates at the intersection of the rear of the left upper plate and the rear of the left side plate, and the intersection of the rear of the right upper plate and the rear of the right side plate, are bent, thereby solving the above problem. The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in claim 1 or 2 The steering device is characterized in that, in any of the claims, the left upper plate and the right upper plate, and the left side plate and the right side plate are each formed symmetrically, and the connecting upper plate is also formed symmetrically, thereby solving the above problem.

[0010] The invention of claim 5 is, claim 1 or 2The above problem is solved by providing a steering device in which, in any of the claims, the left side plate and the right upper plate are formed symmetrically, the connecting upper plate is also formed symmetrically, a locking piece for the spring is formed from one side end of the left upper plate and the right upper plate, and the left upper plate and the right upper plate are formed asymmetrically. The above problem is solved by providing a steering device in which, in any of the claims of claim 6, the connecting upper plate is located in front of the vehicle body, ahead of the front ends of the left side plate and the right side plate and the left upper plate and the right upper plate, and straddles the top of the outer column. The above problem is solved by providing a steering device in which, in claim 6, the connecting upper plate and the left side plate and the right side plate are connected long hole The above problem was solved by providing a steering device characterized by the inclusion of a feature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The invention of claim 1 has the advantage of providing a compactly housed steering device by press-forming the vehicle mounting bracket from a single metal plate, and in particular by forming the connecting upper plate to the minimum length. Furthermore, claim 2 has the same effect as claim 1. The invention of claim 3 has the advantage of being able to manufacture a particularly strong vehicle mounting bracket due to the presence of a three-dimensional surface formed by bending perpendicular to the upper plate and side plate. The invention of claim 4 has the advantage of being able to be manufactured at a lower cost with a simpler configuration by making the vehicle mounting bracket symmetrical. The invention of claim 5 has the advantage of being able to easily and simply attach the spring portion that biases the steering device upward by making the left upper plate and the right upper plate asymmetrical and forming a locking piece for the spring portion from one side end.

[0012] In the invention of claim 6, the vehicle mounting bracket is integrally constructed with the left side plate, left upper plate, right side plate, and right upper plate by a connecting upper plate. However, when the left side plate and right side plate of the vehicle mounting bracket are tightened to the outer column by fastening parts such as bolts to lock them in place, in conventional brackets, the connecting upper plate may act as a resistance member against the tightening operation of the left side plate and right side plate to the outer column. In the vehicle mounting bracket of the present invention, the connecting upper plate is located in front of the vehicle body, ahead of the front ends of the left side plate, the right side plate, the left upper plate, and the right upper plate. Therefore, in the vehicle mounting bracket, when tightening operation is performed on the outer column by the tilt lever, the tightening load is not easily transmitted between the left side plate, the right side plate, the left upper plate, and the right upper plate and the connecting upper plate. Therefore, the resistance force of the connecting upper plate against the tightening of the outer column by the left side plate and the right side plate can be made extremely small. Therefore, the fastening by the fastening part brings the left side plate and the right side plate into smooth proximity, resulting in a substantially uniform surface contact state with the outer column, and making the fastening state firm. In the invention of claim 7, between the connecting upper plate and the left side plate and the right side plate, long hole By providing the above, long hole As a result, the connecting upper plate and the left and right side plates are further separated, which reduces the resistance of the connecting upper plate to the outer column by the left and right side plates, and makes the fastening to the outer column even more secure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] (A) is a side view of the steering device of the present invention, (B) is an elevation view showing a partial cross-section of the vehicle mounting bracket of the present invention, and (C) is a perspective view of the vehicle body mounting bracket of the present invention. [Figure 2](A) is a development view of the vehicle mounting bracket of the present invention, (B) is a state diagram of taking out only the connection upper plate and appropriately bending and forming it, and (C) is an elevation view of FIG. 1(C) viewed from the right side with the column related member shown by a solid line. [Figure 3] (A) to (C) are state diagrams showing the process of sequentially manufacturing the vehicle mounting bracket of the present invention from a single metal plate by pressing. [[ID=�]] [Figure 4] (D) to (G) are state diagrams showing the process of sequentially manufacturing the vehicle mounting bracket of the present invention to its final shape by pressing. [Figure 5] (A) is a development view of a symmetric vehicle mounting bracket of another embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a state diagram of taking out and bending only the connection upper plate portion of (A). [Figure 6] (A) is FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1, which is a development view of a vehicle mounting bracket, and (B) is a state diagram of taking out and bending only the connection upper plate portion. [Figure 7] (A) is a side view of the vehicle mounting bracket in the present invention, (B) is an enlarged view of the (α) portion of (A), (C) is a view taken along the X1-X1 arrow of (A), (D) is an enlarged view of the (β) portion in the unlocked state of (C), (E) is an enlarged view of the (γ) portion of (D), (F) is an enlarged view of the (β) portion in the locked state of (C), and (G) is an enlarged view of the (δ) portion.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1(B) and (C), in the vehicle mounting bracket of the steering device, a left side plate 2L is integrally formed below the inner end of the left upper plate 1L located on the left side. Also, a right side plate 2R is integrally formed below the inner end of the right upper plate 1R located on the right side.

[0015] The front end of the left side plate 2L and the front end of the right side plate 2R are connected by a connection upper plate 3, and the left side plate 2L, the connection upper plate 3, and the right side plate 2R form a continuous and integrally formed structure. [Refer to FIGS. 3(A) and (B).]

[0016] Here, as shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 5(A), the overall width of the vehicle mounting bracket B as a developed view is W, and the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R have the same left-right direction length w1. Further, the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R also have the same left-right direction length w2. Also, a slight gap between the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R is set as the gap t. Then, the overall width W of the vehicle mounting bracket B is W = 2×w2 + 2×w1 + t ··········· (1) formed as such. And the left-right direction length w2 of the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R is formed to be longer than the left-right direction length w1 of the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R. 2×w2 > 2×w1 ··············· (2)

[0017] That is, the total left-right direction length 2w1 of the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R is formed to be shorter than the total left-right direction length 2w2 of the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R. And this total left-right direction length 2w1 is formed to be substantially equal (including equal) to the left-right direction length X of the connecting upper plate 3. 2×w1 ≒ X ················· (3) That is, the left-right direction length 2w1 obtained by summing the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R and the left-right direction length X of the connecting upper plate 3 are formed to be substantially equal [see FIGS. 2(A) and (B)].

[0018] The left upper plate 1L is a portion formed horizontally, and the left side plate 2L is a portion formed substantially vertically, and both are integrally formed. Similarly, the right upper plate 1R is also a portion formed horizontally, and the right side plate 2R is a portion formed substantially vertically, and both are integrally formed.

[0019] The left upper plate 1L, right upper plate 1R, left side plate 2L, and right side plate 2R each exist as major parts, and the subordinate conceptual terms for each part also exist equally on the left and right sides. However, to avoid repetition and lengthy, complex terminology, the letters for "left" and "right" are omitted.

[0020] Mounting points 11, 11 are formed on the front ends of the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R, respectively, for attachment to the vehicle body. Tilt elongated holes 21, 21 are drilled in the lower positions of the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R, respectively. Furthermore, stepped portions 2, 22 of a slight width are formed around the tilt elongated holes 21, 21.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1(B), the connecting upper plate 3 has a gate-shaped cross-section. Specifically, it has a horizontal top portion 31 and hanging portions 32, 32 that hang down from both ends of the top portion 31. The connecting upper plate 3 is not limited to a gate-shaped cross-section with hanging portions, but may also have a gate-shaped cross-section with an appropriate angle.

[0022] Reference numeral 4 denotes a large rib, which is formed to reinforce the corners between the left upper plate 1L and the left side plate 2L, and also between the right upper plate 1R and the right side plate 2R. In other words, the large rib 4 is formed of a roughly rectangular inclined surface 41 and triangular surfaces 42, 42 on both sides thereof.

[0023] Reference numeral 5 denotes a three-dimensional surface portion, which is bent and formed as a surface portion perpendicular to the upper plate and side plate at the intersection of the rear part of the left upper plate 1L and the rear part of the left side plate 2L, and at the intersection of the rear part of the right upper plate 1R and the rear part of the right side plate 2R. In the embodiment, as shown in Figures 1(C), 2(C), and 4(G), the intersection points are formed as part of a spherical surface. Furthermore, an upper plate bent surface 51 is formed at the rear end of each of the left and right upper plates, and a side plate bent surface 52 is formed at the rear end of each of the left and right side plates, and they are integrated at the corners.

[0024] In the steering system shown in Figures 1(A) and (B), a steering shaft 72 is rotatably housed inside the column tube 71, and a steering wheel (handle) 73 is mounted on the rear of the steering shaft 72. 74 is equipped with a tilt lever, a spring 75 that biases the steering system upward, and the like.

[0025] The column tube 71 is inserted through the outer column 77 and is configured to form a tilt mechanism relative to the vehicle mounting bracket B and the outer column 77. The column tube 71 is locked (fixed) by the tilt slots 21, 21 formed in the left and right side plates of the vehicle mounting bracket B and by fastening parts such as bolts inserted through the outer column 77. The fastening parts such as bolts are configured to allow the height of the steering wheel (handle) 73 to be adjusted within the vertical range of the tilt slots 21, 21 by releasing the lock by rotating the tilt lever 74.

[0026] Next, the manufacturing method for the vehicle mounting bracket B will be described. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the vehicle mounting bracket B is formed from a single metal plate by press working, and the manufacturing method will be described. First, before press forming, in the unfolded view shown in Figure 2(A), the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R are positioned at the outermost edges on the left and right sides, with the left upper plate 1L positioned inside the left side plate 2L and the right upper plate 1R positioned inside the right side plate 2R. The front ends of the left side plate 2L and the front ends of the right side plate 2R are formed in advance as a continuous unit with the connecting upper plate 3. [See Figures 1(B) and (C)].

[0027] Then, a punching process is performed, and the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R are each bent vertically by approximately 90 degrees [see Figures 3(B) and (C)]. At the same time as this approximately 90-degree bend, the large ribs 4, 4 are bent and formed [see Figures 3(B) and (C)].

[0028] Then, the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R are bent from their flat position [see Figure 3(C)] in the opposite direction to the bending direction of the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R. At the same time, the connecting upper plate 3 is bent at approximately 60 to 80 degrees, as shown in Figure 4(D), and then bent further to form a bend of approximately 90 degrees. In other words, the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R are formed to be approximately parallel [see Figure 4(E)].

[0029] In this way, when the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R are formed, the bending of the connecting upper plate 3 is also performed at the same time. That is, the top portion 31 of the connecting upper plate 3, which was previously straight, is bent at an appropriate length to become a bending point and is then folded and formed [see Figures 4(D) and (E)].

[0030] In other words, the connecting upper plate 3, which was simply horizontal in the state shown in Figure 3(C), becomes horizontal with a top portion 31 and hanging portions 32, 32 that hang down from both ends of the top portion 31 in the stages shown in Figures 4(D) and (E).

[0031] Then, in Figure 4(F), mounting points 11, 11 are press-formed on the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R, respectively, and in the final stage, Figure 4(G), the locking piece 12 of the spring portion 75 is formed on the rear side of the three-dimensional surface portions 5, 5 and the left upper plate 1L.

[0032] As described above, the parts are press-formed, but in the manufacturing method of the present invention, it is sufficient that the constituent parts of the manufacturing process shown in Figures 3(B) and (C) to 4(D) to (E) exist, and the order of subsequent part forming is not restricted. Furthermore, the three-dimensional surface parts 5,5 may be bent and formed at the same time as the large ribs 4,4.

[0033] In the steering device of this embodiment, the vehicle body mounting bracket has a connecting upper plate 3 connected to the front end of the left side plate 2L and the front end of the right side plate 2R. As shown in Figures 2(A), (B) and 5(A), (B), the total left-right length of the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R is formed to be longer than the total left-right length of the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 2R, and the left-right length 2w1 of the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 2R combined is formed to be approximately equal to the left-right length X of the connecting upper plate 3.

[0034] As a result, the connecting upper plate 3 can be formed to the optimal length simply by punching and bending a metal plate without performing a compression process. This makes it possible to provide a steering device that can reduce costs and be compactly stored inside a vehicle. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, in another embodiment of the present invention, the locking piece 12 of the spring portion 75 may not be formed, and the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 2R, and the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 2R, may be formed symmetrically.

[0035] Next, in the vehicle mounting bracket B of the present invention, there is an embodiment in which the connecting upper plate 3 is positioned in front of the vehicle body, beyond the front ends of the left side plate 2L, the right side plate 1L, the left upper plate 1L, and the right upper plate 1R, and the connecting upper plate 3 straddles the upper part of the outer column 77 [see Figures 1(A), (C), 4(G), 6, etc.]. This embodiment will be described below.

[0036] In this embodiment, the connecting upper plate 3 is formed at a distance from the front ends of the left side plate 2L, right side plate 1L, left upper plate 1L, and right upper plate 1R, along the axial direction of the column tube 71, steering shaft 72, and outer column 77, toward the front of the vehicle body. More specifically, the rear ends of both hanging lower parts 32 of the connecting upper plate 3 are spaced apart from the front ends of the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R [see Figures 6(A) and (B)].

[0037] Furthermore, the connecting upper plate 3 and the left side plate 2L, and the connecting upper plate 3 and the right side plate 2R are connected by small continuous sections 3a. These continuous sections 3a are located between the two hanging lower parts 32 of the connecting upper plate 3 and the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R, and are the parts that continuously connect the two hanging lower parts 32 of the connecting upper plate 3 to the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R.

[0038] The continuous portion 3a is included in the exploded view of the vehicle mounting bracket B and is formed together with other parts when it is cut from a metal plate [see Figures 2(A), 3(A), etc.]. As a result, the connecting upper plate 3 is independent of the left side plate 2L, the right side plate 1L, the left upper plate 1L, and the right upper plate 1R. Furthermore, the connecting upper plate 3 of the vehicle mounting bracket B is configured to straddle the upper part of the outer column 77.

[0039] As mentioned above, the connecting upper plate 3 is located at a distance from the left side plate 2L, the right side plate 1L, the left upper plate 1L, and the right upper plate 1R. For this reason, when the vehicle mounting bracket B is tightened by the tilt lever 74, the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R fix the outer column 77 and enter a tilt-lock state (see Figures 7(F) and (G)), or when the tightening is loosened to enter a tilt-unlock state (see Figures 7(D) and (E)), the distance between the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R is expanded or contracted (see Figures 7(C) to (G)). At this time, the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R can clamp the outer column 77 without the connecting upper plate 3 resisting expansion or contraction, as the continuous portion 3a deforms (continuous portion deformation) (see Figure 7(F)).

[0040] More specifically, the tightening force applied by the tilt lever 74 is applied to the left side plate 2L, the right side plate 1L, and the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R. The connecting upper plate 3, which is connected to these via a small continuous section 3a, is hardly affected by the tightening force. Therefore, the load during the tightening operation of the tilt lever 74 is applied to the continuous section 3a, and the continuous section 3a deforms (continuous section deformation) [see Figures 7(F) and (G)], so the connecting upper plate 3 does not provide resistance during the tightening operation. Thus, during the tightening operation of the tilt lever 74, the left side plate 2L, the right side plate 1L, and the left upper plate 1L and the right upper plate 1R can be easily moved closer to or further away from each other relative to the outer column 77, resulting in a good tightening state [see Figures 6(F) and (C)]. In addition, in the unlocked state, no load is applied to the two continuous sections 33 of the vehicle mounting bracket B, and they do not bend or deform. In other words, the continuous portion 33 remains unchanged. The state in which this continuous portion 33 does not deform (continuity of the continuous portion) is described in Figures 7(D) and (E).

[0041] Therefore, the vehicle mounting bracket is structured such that when tightening is performed on the outer column 77 by the tilt lever 74, the left side plate 2L, the right side plate 2R, the left upper plate 1L, and the right upper plate 1R do not easily transmit the tightening load to each other, and the connecting upper plate 3 does not easily transmit the tightening load to each other. Therefore, the connecting upper plate 3 can significantly reduce the resistance force against tightening on the outer column 77 by the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R. As a result, when tightening is performed by the tightening part, the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R come into smooth proximity, creating a nearly uniform surface contact state with the outer column 77, and making the tightening state firm.

[0042] Next, in the above embodiment, the horizontal top 31 of the connecting upper plate 3 and the hanging portions 32, 32 are formed hanging downward from both ends of the top 31, and between the hanging portions 32 and the left side plate 2L, the left upper plate 1L and the right side plate 2R, the right upper plate 1R long hole 3b may also be provided [see Figures 1(A), (C), 4(G), 6, etc.]. long hole 3b is located approximately directly above the continuous portion 3a. long holeAs a result of 3b, the lower ends 32 of both connecting upper plate 3 and the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R are separated, and the continuous section 3a becomes a smaller area and part [see Figures 7(A) and (B)].

[0043] Between the connecting upper plate 3 and the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R long hole By providing a configuration in which 3b is provided, long hole As a result of 3b, the connecting upper plate 3 and the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R are further separated. Therefore, the resistance force of the connecting upper plate 3 when fastening to the outer column 77 by the left side plate 2L and the right side plate 2R can be further reduced, and the fastening state to the outer column 77 becomes uniform surface contact, resulting in an even better and stronger fastening.

[0044] long hole 3b is provided in advance in the unfolded view of the vehicle mounting bracket B when the vehicle mounting bracket B is formed from a single metal plate by press working. In other words, between the connecting upper plate 3 and the front end of the left side plate 2L and the front end of the right side plate 2R long hole The part labeled 3b is provided. long hole 3b has a roughly U-shape [see Figure 7(B)]. Alternatively, the elongated hole 3b may be a roughly rectangular groove. long hole 3b also serves to facilitate the bending and formation of the vehicle mounting bracket B through press processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] B...Vehicle mounting bracket, 1L...Left upper plate, 2L...Left side plate, 1R...Right upper plate, 2R...Right side plate, 3...Connection top plate, 3a...Continuous part, 3b... long hole , 12... locking piece.

Claims

1. In a vehicle mounting bracket for a steering system, The left side plate is integrally formed below the inner end of the left upper plate located on the left side, and the right side plate is integrally formed below the inner end of the right upper plate located on the right side. The front end of the left side plate and the front end of the right side plate are connected by a connecting upper plate, and the left side plate, the connecting upper plate, and the right side plate are formed continuously and integrally. A steering device characterized in that the combined left-right length of the left upper plate and the right upper plate is shorter than the combined left-right length of the left side plate and the right side plate, and the combined left-right length of the left upper plate and the right upper plate is approximately equal to the left-right length of the connecting upper plate, and all of these components are press-formed from a single metal plate.

2. The steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that the left upper plate and the right upper plate are formed horizontally, the left side plate and the right side plate are formed hanging down, and the connecting upper plate is formed in a gate shape.

3. The steering device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the three-dimensional surfaces perpendicular to the left and right upper plates and left and right side plates at the intersection of the rear of the left upper plate and the rear of the left side plate, and the intersection of the rear of the right upper plate and the rear of the right side plate, are bent.

4. A steering device according to either claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the left upper plate and the right upper plate, and the left side plate and the right side plate are each formed symmetrically, and the connecting upper plate is also formed symmetrically.

5. A steering device according to either claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the left side plate and the right side plate are formed symmetrically, the connecting upper plate is also formed symmetrically, a locking piece for the spring portion is formed from one end of the left upper plate and the right upper plate, and the left upper plate and the right upper plate are formed asymmetrically.

6. A steering device according to either claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting upper plate is located in front of the vehicle body, beyond the front ends of the left side plate, the right side plate, the left upper plate, and the right upper plate, and straddles the upper part of the outer column.

7. The steering device according to claim 6, characterized in that an elongated hole is provided between the connecting upper plate and the left side plate and the right side plate.

Images