US3601422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Industrial trucks
Assignee: Linde Material Handling UK Ltd
•
Filing: 1969-04-18
•
Granted: 1971-08-24
•
Expires: 1989-04-18
Abstract
Abstract An industrial truck has four ground wheels, four hydraulically operated rack and pinion devices for individually adjusting each wheel angularly about a vertical axis whereby the truck may be driven in a plurality of alternative directions according to the adjusted positions of the wheels, and a steering mechanism for simultaneously effecting steering movements of the wheels in various adjusted positions thereof, which steering mechanism comprises a first linkage connecting a first pair of wheels so that those wheels are steered in the same direction as each other, a second linkage connecting the second pair of wheels so that those wheels are steered in the same direction as each other, and a member connectable by two alternative connections on opposite sides of the pivot point of a lever forming part of the second linkage. One of the connections so connects the two linkages that the two pairs of wheels are steered in the same direction and the other connection so connects the two linkages that the two pairs of wheels are steered in opposite directions.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Richard Woods
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:13
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D7/00; B62D7/02; B66; B66F; B66F9/00; B66F9/06; B66F9/075; B66F9/07568
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
An industrial truck having four ground wheels, means for individually adjusting each wheel angularly about a vertical axis whereby the truck may be driven in a plurality of alternative directions according to the adjusted positions of the wheels, and a steering mechanism for simultaneously effecting steering movements of the wheels, which steering mechanism comprises a first linkage connecting a first pair of wheels so that those wheels are steered in the same direction as each other, a second linkage connecting the second pair of wheels so that those wheels are steered in the same direction as each other, said second linkage including a lever mounted on a pivotal support which lever, when pivoted in one sense, causes said linkage to steer the second pair of wheels in one direction and, when pivoted in the opposite sense, causes said linkage to steer the second pair of wheels the opposite direction, and a member connectable between the two linkages by two alternative connections, one of which connections so connects the two linkages that the two pairs of wheels are steered in the same direction and the other of which connection so connects the two linkages that the two pairs of wheels are steered in opposite directions, each said member alternatively connectable to said lever by two detachable connections disposed on opposite sides of said pivotal support, each detachable connection between said member and lever comprising a pin movably mounted on one part and engageable with an aperture on the other part.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
An industrial truck having four ground wheels, means for individually adjusting each wheel angularly about a vertical axis whereby the truck may be driven in a plurality of alternative directions according to the adjusted positions of the wheels, and a steering mechanism for simultaneously effecting steering movements of the wheels, which steering mechanism comprises a first linkage connecting a first pair of wheels so that those wheels are steered in the same direction as each other, a second linkage connecting the second pair of wheels so that those wheels are steered in the same direction as each other, said second linkage including a lever mounted on a pivotal support which lever, when pivoted in one sense, causes said linkage to steer the second pair of wheels in one direction and, when pivoted in the opposite sense, causes said linkage to steer the second pair of wheels the opposite direction, and a member connectable between the two linkages by two alternative connections, one of which connections so connects the two linkages that the two pairs of wheels are steered in the same direction and the other of which connection so connects the two linkages that the two pairs of wheels are steered in opposite directions, each said member alternatively connectable to said lever by two detachable connections disposed on opposite sides of said pivotal support, each detachable connection between said member and lever comprising a pin movably mounted on one part and engageable with an aperture on the other part.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An industrial truck according to claim 1 wherein both of said alternative connections can be connected at the same time to lock the steering mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A An industrial truck according to claim 1 wherein the pin is mounted on said member and is engageable with an aperture on said lever.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
An industrial truck according to claim 1 wherein each wheel is mounted on a support which is in turn mounted on the truck for rotation about a vertical axis, said supports being connected by said linkages for effecting steering of the wheels, and wherein said means for individually adjusting each wheel angularly about a vertical axis comprise means for rotating each wheel about a vertical axis relatively to its support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An industrial truck according to claim 1 wherein fluid energized means are provided for moving the pin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An industrial truck according to claim 5 wherein a spring is provided to urge the pin into engagement with said aperture, said fluid energized means acting to withdraw the pin from the aperture against the action of the spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An industrial truck according to claim 5 wherein electrical control means are provided to operate said fluid energized means for moving the pin.
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) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |