US Patent 7220056 Sliding bearing and bearing mechanism having the same

A sliding bearing for a steering column includes: a cylindrical bearing body; flat surfaces formed integrally on an inner peripheral surface of the bearing body; first slits extending from one end face of the bearing body to this side of the other end face of the bearing body; second slits extending from this side of the other end face of the bearing body to the one end face of the bearing body; grooves formed in an outer peripheral surface of the bearing body; and elastic rings which are respectively fitted in the grooves in such a manner as to project from the outer peripheral surface of the bearing body and to reduce the diameter of the bearing body.