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US3557893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic and manually controlled vehicle
Assignee: Jervis B Webb Co
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Filing: 1968-02-12
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Granted: 1971-01-26
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Expires: 1988-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A manual control system for a self-propelled vehicle of the type having an automatic steering servosystem capable of causing the vehicle to follow a guide path, in which a tiller, pivoted on a vertical steering shaft, is biased to a normal inoperative position substantially aligned therewith. Movement of the tiller to an operative position automatically closes a switch which operates to deactivate the automatic steering system, disconnect the steering servomotor and activate a control unit operated by a handle on the tiller for regulating the vehicle propulsion.
Inventors
- 👤 James P Kohls
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:54
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D51/00; B62D51/005; B60; B60L; B60L50/00; B60L50/50; B60L50/51; B60L50/60; B60L50/66; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/02; B60P1/022; B60P1/027; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/70; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32541
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
In a self-propelled vehicle of the type having propulsion means including a driving motor for propelling a driving wheel, a steerable wheel and an automatic steering control system capable of regulating the operation of a steering motor connected to the steerable wheel to cause the vehicle to follow a guide path; the improvement comprising: manual control means including a steering shaft and means operably connecting the steering shaft to the steerable wheel; a tiller, pivot means connecting the tiller to the steering shaft for movement between an inoperative position of the tiller and an operative position thereof in which the tiller extends generally radially of the axis of the steering shaft; means normally urging the tiller to the inoperative position thereof; manual propulsion control means including a movable handle on the tiller and a driving motor control unit operable by movement of the handle; clutch means connecting the steering motor to the steerable wheel; and a switch actuatable in response to movement of the tiller from the inoperative to the operative position thereof, and circuit means operable by such actuation of said switch for deactivating the automatic steering control system, disconnecting the clutch means and connecting the motor control unit with the driving motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a self-propelled vehicle of the type having propulsion means including a driving motor for propelling a driving wheel, a steerable wheel and an automatic steering control system capable of regulating the operation of a steering motor connected to the steerable wheel to cause the vehicle to follow a guide path; the improvement comprising: manual control means including a steering shaft and means operably connecting the steering shaft to the steerable wheel; a tiller, pivot means connecting the tiller to the steering shaft for movement between an inoperative position of the tiller and an operative position thereof in which the tiller extends generally radially of the axis of the steering shaft; means normally urging the tiller to the inoperative position thereof; manual propulsion control means including a movable handle on the tiller and a driving motor control unit operable by movement of the handle; clutch means connecting the steering motor to the steerable wheel; and a switch actuatable in response to movement of the tiller from the inoperative to the operative position thereof, and circuit means operable by such actuation of said switch for deactivating the automatic steering control system, disconnecting the clutch means and connecting the motor control unit with the driving motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the pivot means connecting the tiller to the steering shaft comprises a link pivotally connected to the tiller and to the steering shaft and extending between adjacent ends thereof, and means limiting relative pivotal movement between the link and steering shaft and the link and tiller; and wherein the means normally urging the tiller to the inoperative position thereof comprises spring means acting between the steering shaft and link and the tiller and link to normally urge the link and tiller to a position of substantial axial alignment with the steering shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A vehicle according to claim 2 wherein the tIller and steering shaft are each of tubular construction, and a control cable connected to the tiller handle extends through the tiller and steering shaft, said pivot means serving to limit bending of the control cable as the tiller is moved from said inoperative to said operative position thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said motor control unit is mounted on the steering shaft, said motor control unit including a plurality of switches and a switch operating member connected to said control cable, and means mounting said switch operating member for movement in a direction axial of said steering shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 4 wherein said clutch means are mounted on said steering shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said motor control unit includes a base member, means mounting the base member on the steering shaft, a control cam movably carried by the base member, and a plurality of switch elements mounted on the base member for selective actuation by movement of the control cam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A vehicle according to claim 6 wherein said control cam comprises an elongated member extending generally parallel to the axis of the steering shaft, and means mounting said elongated cam member for reciprocating movement axially of the steering shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an upwardly extending control pedestal at the front end thereof, means mounting the steering shaft in the pedestal, the steering shaft having an upper end projecting above the pedestal, and said pivot means connecting the tiller to the upper end of the steering shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A vehicle according to claim 8 wherein said circuit means are mounted in said pedestal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tiller is formed by a tubular member, and said switch actuable in response to movement of the tiller from inoperative to operative position is of a type employing an encapsulated mercury contact, and means mounting said switch capsule within the tubular tiller member in angularly inclined relation to the longitudinal axis thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a frame, a body having bottom, side and end walls secured to the frame and depending therefrom, cover means mounted between the upper edges of the body side and end walls forming a body enclosure with an upper load supporting surface, and means mounting said propulsion means within the body enclosure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle according to claim 11 wherein said body further comprises a boxlike pedestal enclosure secured to the frame at the front end of the vehicle and extending upwardly above said load supporting surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
A self-propelled vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a frame, a body having bottom, side and end walls secured to the frame, cover means mounted between the upper ends of the body side and end walls forming a body enclosure with an upper load supporting surface, the body further including a boxlike pedestal enclosure secured to the frame at the front end of the vehicle and extending upwardly above said load supporting surface; said steering shaft being mounted in and having an upper end projecting above the pedestal, and said pivot means connecting the tiller to the upper end of the steering shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-25 | 1974-07-27 | 1975-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-25 | 1978-07-27 | 1979-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-25 | 1982-07-27 | 1983-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |