Patent US3603424A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3603424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Auxiliary emergency steering for articulated vehicles
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1969-02-25
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1989-02-25
Abstract
Abstract Emergency steering for a vehicle which is normally steered by a hydraulic fluid system and has fluid actuated brakes. When pressure in the steering system falls below a safe valve air from the brake system is directed through a valve controlled by the steering system selectively to the right brake or left brake depending upon the direction in which the steering wheel is turned thus causing what is known as steering by braking.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest R Blood
- 👤 Edward J Ohms
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:55
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D12/00; B60; B60T; B60T13/00; B60T13/10; B60T13/24; B60T13/26; B60T13/36; B60T13/58; B60T7/00; B60T7/02; B62D5/00; B62D5/06; B62D5/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
The combination of an articulated vehicle having a front portion and a rear portion connected through an articulating joint with at least one fluid actuator connected across said joint to said portions operable to articulate them and separate ground engaging means on opposite sides of said front portion, a valve connected to a source of pressure fluid and to said fluid actuator, a steering wheel connected to said valve for positioning it, and a followup linkage connected across said articulating joint and to said valve, an auxiliary steering system comprising: two independent brake means, one associated with each of said grounding engaging means on said front portion of said vehicle; an auxiliary brake circuit connected to said two independent brake means and a separate source of fluid pressure; a separate selector valve in said auxiliary brake circuit operable to selectively direct fluid pressure to one or the other of said two independent brake means for actuating it; and means connecting said selector valve to said steering wheel and said followup linkage whereby one of said independent brake means will be operated when said steering wheel is turned in one direction and said other independent means will be actuated when said steering wheel is turned in the opposite direction to accomplish steering by braking until said followup linkage neutralizes the steering wheel input to said selector valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
The combination of an articulated vehicle having a front portion and a rear portion connected through an articulating joint with at least one fluid actuator connected across said joint to said portions operable to articulate them and separate ground engaging means on opposite sides of said front portion, a valve connected to a source of pressure fluid and to said fluid actuator, a steering wheel connected to said valve for positioning it, and a followup linkage connected across said articulating joint and to said valve, an auxiliary steering system comprising: two independent brake means, one associated with each of said grounding engaging means on said front portion of said vehicle; an auxiliary brake circuit connected to said two independent brake means and a separate source of fluid pressure; a separate selector valve in said auxiliary brake circuit operable to selectively direct fluid pressure to one or the other of said two independent brake means for actuating it; and means connecting said selector valve to said steering wheel and said followup linkage whereby one of said independent brake means will be operated when said steering wheel is turned in one direction and said other independent means will be actuated when said steering wheel is turned in the opposite direction to accomplish steering by braking until said followup linkage neutralizes the steering wheel input to said selector valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the two independent brake means include a primary brake circuit connected thereto and a separate actuator for simultaneous equal application of said two independent brake means
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the auxiliary brake circuit includes valve means connected therein with pressure sensitive element communicating with a hydraulic circuit of the at least one fluid actuator operable to disable said auxiliary circuit when the fluid pressure from the source of fluid pressure is above a minimum selected level during steering.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination described in claim 3 wherein valve means includes a manual override to open it.
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) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |