Coupling device and the application thereof in particular in an automobile steering device

In an automobile steering mechanism, a first shaft having an end stem, a second shaft, and a rapid coupling for interconnecting said first and second shafts, said rapid coupling comprising:

• said end stem of said first shaft, said end stem having a longitudinal axis and a non-circular section;
• a shackle connected to said second shaft, said shackle comprising a U section defined by two spaced apart confronting branches and a bridge portion connecting said branches and defining a passage between said branches, said shackle being pivotable about an axis orthogonal to said longitudinal axis of said stem and to said branches of said shackle;
• locking means extending through said branches for trapping and clamping said stem in said passage of said shackle;
• and
• a clip made of an elastically yieldable material, said clip having a U shaped configuration for straddling said shackle with two substantially parallel legs cooperative with respective said confronting branches of said shackle, said clip further comprising means on said parallel legs for fixing and maintaining said legs on said respective branches and an arm disposed on said clip adjacent to one of said legs and cooperative with said locking means to bias said locking means toward said passage of said shackle such that said locking means projects at least partly into said passage.