Shock absorbing steering apparatus

摘要

A shock absorbing steering apparatus for use in a vehicle, comprises a steering column (5) including a column body (24) and a column holder structure (41) which holds the column body (24) and which is fixed to a portion of a vehicle body such that the column holder structure (41) is releasable from this portion, and an impact energy absorbing member (71) including an engaging portion (71b) which is engageable with a holding portion (31a) of the vehicle body and being deformable. The impact energy absorbing member (71) is a plate and includes a generally U-shaped portion. The impact energy absorbing member (71) may be deformed by a front end portion of a mounting portion (45) of the column holder structure (41), during the movement of the steering column (5) relative to the portion of the vehicle body, such that a position of a curved section of the U-shaped portion is gradually changed. Thus, the impact energy generated by the secondary collision is absorbed in the process of deformation of the impact energy absorbing member.