Stroke absorbing type intermediate shaft for vehicular steering column and method for assembling the same
 An intermediate shaft comprising a shaft body including an axle portion and a portion having an approximately elliptic shape of cross section, both major and minor axes of the elliptical cross-section portion being longer than a diameter of the axle portion, and a ring-shaped member with a cross-sectional shape analogous to the elliptic cross-section portion. A method for assembling this shaft provides for a vibration damping member intervened between the housing member and elliptic cross-section portion for damping vibrations transmitted from the steering gear box. This method also ensures that the housing and the vibration damping members and the elliptic cross-section portion are fitted into an outer tubular envelope, and the ring-shaped member normally has a gap against the outer tubular envelope and transmits rotational torque from the outer tubular envelope to the elliptic cross-section portion when the ring-shaped member is contacted with the outer tubular envelope. A universal joint yoke portion is linked to the outer tubular envelope so as to face opposing ends of the housing and vibration damping members and is contactable against the ends of the housing and vibration damping members. A stopper member is extended from the end edge of the outer tubular envelope so as to prevent the ring-shaped member from coming out of the elliptic cross-section portion. 
Fuji Kiko Company, Limited Nissan Motor Company, Limited
F F F F F F F B
F16D F16D F16C F16D F16D F16F F16C B62D
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Satoshi Hideya Naoki Shogo Shigeru
Osawa Yamashita Yuzuriha Kachi Saitoh