US3677362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrostatic transmission hydraulic control and single lever for operating same
Assignee: International Motors LLC
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Filing: 1970-09-02
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-09-02
Abstract
Abstract Hydraulic control for two hydrostatic transmissions driving a vehicle. Straight-line movement of certain parts of the hydraulic control moves the vehicle in forward and reverse. Angular movement of certain other parts of the hydraulic control turns the vehicle. A single joy stick is directly connected with the first set of parts, and indirectly connected with the second set of parts. One type of movement of the joy stick causes the vehicle to move in forward and reverse, and another type of movement of the joy stick brings about turning of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Probir K Chatterjea
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:36
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/38; F16H61/40; F16H61/42; F16H61/438; B; B62; B62D; B62D11/00; B62D11/02; B62D11/06; B62D11/10; B62D11/14; B62D11/18; B62D11/183; F15; F15B; F15B13/00; F15B13/02; F15B13/06; F16H61/433; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86574; Y10T137/86638; Y10T137/86646; Y10T137/86654; Y10T137/87169
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
757 words
In a vehicle in which two drive mechanisms are driven at the same speed in a given direction for straight forward movement of the vehicle, at the same speed in the opposite direction for straight rearward movement of the vehicle, and in opposite directions or at different speeds in the same direction for steering of the vehicle; two hydraulic actuators control the direction of drive of the drive mechanisms by the algebraic signs of the differences of the hydraulic pressures applied to the actuators, and the speeds of the drive mechanisms by the amounts of said differences; and a joy stick is moved forwardly and rearwardly for forward and rearward movement of the vehicle and to the right and to the left for turning of the vehicle; the combination with the actuators and the joy stick, of a. a direction unit having two restricted orifices of appreciable length, each orifice having one end connected to a source of fluid under pressure and the other end connected to drain, said unit further having two take-off openings, one communicating with one orifice, the other with the other orifice, said unit comprising cooperating relatively movable parts forming the two orifices between them, relative movement of the parts in one direction shifting one take-off opening along the associated orifice in a direction toward the end connected to drain and the other take-off opening along the associated orifice in a direction toward the end connected to the source of pressure fluid, and relative movement of the parts in the opposite direction reversing the shift of the take-off openings with respect to the source of pressure fluid and drain; b. means connecting the joy stick with the direction unit to enable forward and rearward movement of the joy stick to produce relative movement of one of the parts of said unit in said one direction and said other direction; c. a steering unit comprising two cooperating relatively movable parts, two restricted orifices of appreciable length being formed between facing regions of the parts, the steering unit having two supply openings, one being connected with one takeoff opening of the direction unit, the other connected with the other take-off opening of the direction unit, the steering unit further having first, second, third, and fourth take-off openings all formed in the same part of the steering unit, the first and third take-off openings being connected with one hydraulic actuator, the second and fourth take-off openings being connected with the other hydraulic actuator, a central position of one steering-unit part with respect to the other causing the first and fourth take-off openings and the second and third take-off openings to be connected with the said one supply opening and the said other supply opening, respectively, independently of the orifices in the steering unit, the first and second take-off openings to be connected with one another by way of the entire length of the one orifice of the steering unit, and the third and fourth takeoff openings to be connected with one another by way of the entire length of the other orifice of the steering unit, displacement of said one steering-unit part from its central position in one direction with respect to said other steering unit part causing the first take-off opening and the third take-off opening to remain connected with the said one supply opening and said other supply opening, respectively, independently of the orifices of the steering unit, and the fourth take-Off opening and the second take-off opening to be connected with the said one supply opening and the said other supply opening, respectively, by way of portions of the lengths of the said other orifice and the said one orifice, respectively, of the steering unit, displacement of said one steering-unit part from its central position in the opposite direction with respect to said other steering-unit part causing the fourth take-off opening and the second take-off opening to remain connected with the said one supply opening and said other supply opening, respectively, independently of the orifices of the steering unit, and the first take-off opening and the third take-off opening to be connected with the said one supply opening and the said other supply opening, respectively, by way of portions of the lengths of the said one orifice and the said other orifice, respectively, of the steering unit; and d. means connecting the joy stick with the steering unit to enable rightward and leftward movement of the joy stick to produce relative angular movement of the parts of the steering unit in two directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
757 words
In a vehicle in which two drive mechanisms are driven at the same speed in a given direction for straight forward movement of the vehicle, at the same speed in the opposite direction for straight rearward movement of the vehicle, and in opposite directions or at different speeds in the same direction for steering of the vehicle; two hydraulic actuators control the direction of drive of the drive mechanisms by the algebraic signs of the differences of the hydraulic pressures applied to the actuators, and the speeds of the drive mechanisms by the amounts of said differences; and a joy stick is moved forwardly and rearwardly for forward and rearward movement of the vehicle and to the right and to the left for turning of the vehicle; the combination with the actuators and the joy stick, of a. a direction unit having two restricted orifices of appreciable length, each orifice having one end connected to a source of fluid under pressure and the other end connected to drain, said unit further having two take-off openings, one communicating with one orifice, the other with the other orifice, said unit comprising cooperating relatively movable parts forming the two orifices between them, relative movement of the parts in one direction shifting one take-off opening along the associated orifice in a direction toward the end connected to drain and the other take-off opening along the associated orifice in a direction toward the end connected to the source of pressure fluid, and relative movement of the parts in the opposite direction reversing the shift of the take-off openings with respect to the source of pressure fluid and drain; b. means connecting the joy stick with the direction unit to enable forward and rearward movement of the joy stick to produce relative movement of one of the parts of said unit in said one direction and said other direction; c. a steering unit comprising two cooperating relatively movable parts, two restricted orifices of appreciable length being formed between facing regions of the parts, the steering unit having two supply openings, one being connected with one takeoff opening of the direction unit, the other connected with the other take-off opening of the direction unit, the steering unit further having first, second, third, and fourth take-off openings all formed in the same part of the steering unit, the first and third take-off openings being connected with one hydraulic actuator, the second and fourth take-off openings being connected with the other hydraulic actuator, a central position of one steering-unit part with respect to the other causing the first and fourth take-off openings and the second and third take-off openings to be connected with the said one supply opening and the said other supply opening, respectively, independently of the orifices in the steering unit, the first and second take-off openings to be connected with one another by way of the entire length of the one orifice of the steering unit, and the third and fourth takeoff openings to be connected with one another by way of the entire length of the other orifice of the steering unit, displacement of said one steering-unit part from its central position in one direction with respect to said other steering unit part causing the first take-off opening and the third take-off opening to remain connected with the said one supply opening and said other supply opening, respectively, independently of the orifices of the steering unit, and the fourth take-Off opening and the second take-off opening to be connected with the said one supply opening and the said other supply opening, respectively, by way of portions of the lengths of the said other orifice and the said one orifice, respectively, of the steering unit, displacement of said one steering-unit part from its central position in the opposite direction with respect to said other steering-unit part causing the fourth take-off opening and the second take-off opening to remain connected with the said one supply opening and said other supply opening, respectively, independently of the orifices of the steering unit, and the first take-off opening and the third take-off opening to be connected with the said one supply opening and the said other supply opening, respectively, by way of portions of the lengths of the said one orifice and the said other orifice, respectively, of the steering unit; and d. means connecting the joy stick with the steering unit to enable rightward and leftward movement of the joy stick to produce relative angular movement of the parts of the steering unit in two directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination as specified in claim 1, one part of the direction unit being connected to the joy stick and being keyed to the said one steering-unit part.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
The combination as specified in claim 2, the steering unit being formed of inner and outer parts having facing inner and outer surfaces and being angularly movable with respect to one another about an axis of rotation, the restricted orifices of the steering unit being formed between the facing surface of one of said inner and outer parts and two relatively long grooves formed in the facing surface of the other of said parts and extending for an appreciable distance generally parallel to the axis of rotation and to a slight extent about the axis of rotation, the take-off openings of the steering unit being formed in the facing surface of the said one part and extending parallel to said axis of rotation for an appreciable distance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination as specified in claim 3, the grooves forming part of the restricted orifices of the steering unit being on the outer surface of the inner part, the take-off openings being formed in the inner surface of the outer part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
687 words
In a vehicle in which two drive mechanisms are driven at the same speed in a given direction for straight forward movement of the vehicle, at the same speed in the opposite direction for straight rearward movement of the vehicle, and in opposite directions or at different speeds in the same direction for steering of the vehicle; two piston-and-cylinder assemblies control the two drive mechanisms; the piston-and-cylinder assemblies are controlled by two valves, one to an assembly; and a joy stick is moved forwardly and rearwardly for forward and rearward movement of the vehicle and to the right and to the left for turning of the vehicle; the combination with the valves and the joy stick, of a. a direction unit having two restricted orifices of appreciable length, each orifice having one end connected to a source of fluid under pressure and the other end connected to drain, said unit further having two take-off openings, one communicating with one orifice, the other with the other orifice, said unit comprising cooperating relatively movable parts forming the two orifices between them, relative movement of the parts in one direction shifting one take-off opening along the associated orifice in a direction toward the end connected to drain and the other take-off opening along the associated orifice in a direction toward the end connected to the source of pressure fluid and relative movement in the opposite direction reversing the shift of the take-off openings with respect to the source of pressure fluid and drain; b. means connecting the joy stick with the direction unit to enable forward and rearward movement of the joy stick to produce relative movement of one of the parts of said unit in said one direction and said other Direction, respectively; c. a steering unit having four restricted orifices of appreciable length, four take-off openings, and two supply openings and comprising cooperating relatively angularly movable inner and outer parts, the orifices of the steering unit being formed between an inner surface of the outer part and four peripherally spaced arcuate segments of the outer surface of the inner part closely spaced from the inner surface of the outer part, the said four arcuate segments being spaced from one another by four other segments of the outer surface of the inner member appreciably spaced from said inner surface, two of the said four other segments being at opposite sides of the inner member and being connected by a first opening extending through the inner member, the remaining two of the said four other segments being at opposite sides of the inner member and being connected by a second opening in the inner member having no connection with the first opening, the take-off openings being formed in the outer member and being peripherally spaced from one another, the first and second of the take-off openings being spaced from one another an amount about equal to the width of one arcuate segment of the exterior surface of the inner member, the third and fourth take-off openings being spaced from one another an amount about equal to the width of another of the arcuate segments adjacent said one arcuate segment, the third take-off opening being spaced from the second take-off opening in a direction away from the first take-off opening and in an amount about equal to the width of the one of said four other segments of the outer surface lying between said one and said other arcuate segments, the fourth take-off opening being spaced from the third take-off opening in the same direction as the third is spaced from the second, the supply openings being formed in the outer member, one being connected with one take-off opening in the direction unit and being located in generally opposed diametral relation to a region midway between the second and third take-off openings, the other supply opening being connected with the other take-off opening in the direction unit and being spaced about 90* from one supply opening; d. means connecting the joy stick with the steering unit to enable corresponding rightward and corresponding leftward movement of the joy stick and steering unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
687 words
In a vehicle in which two drive mechanisms are driven at the same speed in a given direction for straight forward movement of the vehicle, at the same speed in the opposite direction for straight rearward movement of the vehicle, and in opposite directions or at different speeds in the same direction for steering of the vehicle; two piston-and-cylinder assemblies control the two drive mechanisms; the piston-and-cylinder assemblies are controlled by two valves, one to an assembly; and a joy stick is moved forwardly and rearwardly for forward and rearward movement of the vehicle and to the right and to the left for turning of the vehicle; the combination with the valves and the joy stick, of a. a direction unit having two restricted orifices of appreciable length, each orifice having one end connected to a source of fluid under pressure and the other end connected to drain, said unit further having two take-off openings, one communicating with one orifice, the other with the other orifice, said unit comprising cooperating relatively movable parts forming the two orifices between them, relative movement of the parts in one direction shifting one take-off opening along the associated orifice in a direction toward the end connected to drain and the other take-off opening along the associated orifice in a direction toward the end connected to the source of pressure fluid and relative movement in the opposite direction reversing the shift of the take-off openings with respect to the source of pressure fluid and drain; b. means connecting the joy stick with the direction unit to enable forward and rearward movement of the joy stick to produce relative movement of one of the parts of said unit in said one direction and said other Direction, respectively; c. a steering unit having four restricted orifices of appreciable length, four take-off openings, and two supply openings and comprising cooperating relatively angularly movable inner and outer parts, the orifices of the steering unit being formed between an inner surface of the outer part and four peripherally spaced arcuate segments of the outer surface of the inner part closely spaced from the inner surface of the outer part, the said four arcuate segments being spaced from one another by four other segments of the outer surface of the inner member appreciably spaced from said inner surface, two of the said four other segments being at opposite sides of the inner member and being connected by a first opening extending through the inner member, the remaining two of the said four other segments being at opposite sides of the inner member and being connected by a second opening in the inner member having no connection with the first opening, the take-off openings being formed in the outer member and being peripherally spaced from one another, the first and second of the take-off openings being spaced from one another an amount about equal to the width of one arcuate segment of the exterior surface of the inner member, the third and fourth take-off openings being spaced from one another an amount about equal to the width of another of the arcuate segments adjacent said one arcuate segment, the third take-off opening being spaced from the second take-off opening in a direction away from the first take-off opening and in an amount about equal to the width of the one of said four other segments of the outer surface lying between said one and said other arcuate segments, the fourth take-off opening being spaced from the third take-off opening in the same direction as the third is spaced from the second, the supply openings being formed in the outer member, one being connected with one take-off opening in the direction unit and being located in generally opposed diametral relation to a region midway between the second and third take-off openings, the other supply opening being connected with the other take-off opening in the direction unit and being spaced about 90* from one supply opening; d. means connecting the joy stick with the steering unit to enable corresponding rightward and corresponding leftward movement of the joy stick and steering unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
133 words
The combination specified in claim 5, the parts of the steering unit being relatively angularly movable about an axis of rotation and extending for an appreciable distance along the axis of rotation, the orifices of the steering unit being formed between the inner surface of the outer part and four grooves formed in the four arcuate segments of the outer surface on the inner part, one groove to an arcuate segment, each groove having its ends at the sides of the associated arcuate segments and extending for an appreciable distance generally parallel to the axis of rotation and to a slight extent about the axis of rotation, the four take-off openings of the steering unit being formed in the inner surface of the outer part and extending parallel to the axis of rotation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
364 words
In an apparatus in which two drive mechanisms are controlled by two hydraulic actuators; the combination with the actuators, of a hydraulic unit comprising two cooperating relatively movable parts, two restricted orifices of appreciable length being formed between facing regions of the parts, the unit having two supply openings, the unit further having first, second, third, and fourth take-off openings all formed in the same part, the first and third take-off openings being connected with one hydraulic actuator, the second and fourth take-off openings being connected with the other hydraulic actuator, a central position of one part with respect to the other causing the first and fourth take-off openings and the second and third take-off openings to be connected with the said one supply openIng and the said other supply opening, respectively, independently of the orifices, the first and second take-off openings to be connected with one another by way of the entire length of the one orifice, and the third and fourth take-off openings to be connected with one another by way of the entire length of the other orifice, displacement of said one part from its central position in one direction with respect to said other part causing the first take-off opening and the third take-off opening to remain connected with the said one supply opening and said other supply opening, respectively, independently of the orifices, and the fourth take-off opening and the second take-off opening to be connected with the said one supply opening and the said other supply opening, respectively, by way of portions of the lengths of the said other orifice and the said one orifice, respectively, displacement of said one part from its central position in the opposite direction with respect to said other part causing the fourth take-off opening and the second take-off opening to remain connected with the said one supply opening and said other supply opening, respectively, independently of the orifices, and the first take-off opening and the third take-off opening to be connected with the said one supply opening and the said other supply opening, respectively, by way of portions of the lengths of the said one orifice and the said other orifice, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
364 words
In an apparatus in which two drive mechanisms are controlled by two hydraulic actuators; the combination with the actuators, of a hydraulic unit comprising two cooperating relatively movable parts, two restricted orifices of appreciable length being formed between facing regions of the parts, the unit having two supply openings, the unit further having first, second, third, and fourth take-off openings all formed in the same part, the first and third take-off openings being connected with one hydraulic actuator, the second and fourth take-off openings being connected with the other hydraulic actuator, a central position of one part with respect to the other causing the first and fourth take-off openings and the second and third take-off openings to be connected with the said one supply openIng and the said other supply opening, respectively, independently of the orifices, the first and second take-off openings to be connected with one another by way of the entire length of the one orifice, and the third and fourth take-off openings to be connected with one another by way of the entire length of the other orifice, displacement of said one part from its central position in one direction with respect to said other part causing the first take-off opening and the third take-off opening to remain connected with the said one supply opening and said other supply opening, respectively, independently of the orifices, and the fourth take-off opening and the second take-off opening to be connected with the said one supply opening and the said other supply opening, respectively, by way of portions of the lengths of the said other orifice and the said one orifice, respectively, displacement of said one part from its central position in the opposite direction with respect to said other part causing the fourth take-off opening and the second take-off opening to remain connected with the said one supply opening and said other supply opening, respectively, independently of the orifices, and the first take-off opening and the third take-off opening to be connected with the said one supply opening and the said other supply opening, respectively, by way of portions of the lengths of the said one orifice and the said other orifice, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
123 words
The combination as specified in claim 7, the hydraulic unit being formed of inner and outer parts having facing inner and outer surfaces and being angularly movable with respect to one another about an axis of rotation, the restricted orifices being formed between the facing surface of one of said inner and outer parts and two relatively long grooves formed in the facing surface of the other of said parts and extending for an appreciable distance generally parallel to the axis of rotation and to a slight extent about the axis of rotation, the take-off openings of the hydraulic unit being formed in the facing surface of the said one part and extending parallel to said axis of rotation for an appreciable distance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination as specified in claim 8, the grooves forming part of the restricted orifices of the hydraulic unit being on the outer surface of the inner part, the take-off openings being formed in the inner surface of the outer part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
361 words
In an apparatus in which two drive mechanisms are controlled by two piston-and-cylinder assemblies and said assemblies are controlled by two valves; the combination with the valves, of a unit having four restricted orifices of appreciable length, four take-off openings, and two supply openings and comprising cooperating relatively angularly movable inner and outer parts, the orifices being formed between an inner surface of the outer part and four peripherally spaced arcuate segments of the outer surface of the inner part closely spaced from the inner surface of the outer part, the said four arcuate segments being spaced from one another by four other segments of the outer surface of the inner member appreciably spaced from said inner surface, two of the said four other segments being at opposite sides of the inner member and being connected by a first opening extending through the inner member, the remaining two of the said four other segments being at opposite sides of the inner member and being connected by a second opening in the inner member having no connection with the first opening, the take-off openings being formed in the outer member and being peripherally spaced from one another, the first and second of the take-off openings being spaced from one another an amount about equal to the width of one arcuate segment of the exterior surface of the inner member, the third and fourth take-off openings being spaced from one another an amount about equal to the width of another of the arcuate segments adjacent said one arcuate segment, the third take-off opeNing being spaced from the second take-off opening in a direction away from the first take-of opening and in an amount equal to the width of the one of said four other segments of the outer surface lying between said one and said other arcuate segments, the fourth take-off opening being spaced from the third take-off opening in the same direction as the third is spaced from the second, the first and third take-off openings being connected with one valve, the second and fourth take-off openings being connected with the other valve, the supply openings being formed in the outer member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
361 words
In an apparatus in which two drive mechanisms are controlled by two piston-and-cylinder assemblies and said assemblies are controlled by two valves; the combination with the valves, of a unit having four restricted orifices of appreciable length, four take-off openings, and two supply openings and comprising cooperating relatively angularly movable inner and outer parts, the orifices being formed between an inner surface of the outer part and four peripherally spaced arcuate segments of the outer surface of the inner part closely spaced from the inner surface of the outer part, the said four arcuate segments being spaced from one another by four other segments of the outer surface of the inner member appreciably spaced from said inner surface, two of the said four other segments being at opposite sides of the inner member and being connected by a first opening extending through the inner member, the remaining two of the said four other segments being at opposite sides of the inner member and being connected by a second opening in the inner member having no connection with the first opening, the take-off openings being formed in the outer member and being peripherally spaced from one another, the first and second of the take-off openings being spaced from one another an amount about equal to the width of one arcuate segment of the exterior surface of the inner member, the third and fourth take-off openings being spaced from one another an amount about equal to the width of another of the arcuate segments adjacent said one arcuate segment, the third take-off opeNing being spaced from the second take-off opening in a direction away from the first take-of opening and in an amount equal to the width of the one of said four other segments of the outer surface lying between said one and said other arcuate segments, the fourth take-off opening being spaced from the third take-off opening in the same direction as the third is spaced from the second, the first and third take-off openings being connected with one valve, the second and fourth take-off openings being connected with the other valve, the supply openings being formed in the outer member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
130 words
The combination specified in claim 10, the parts of the unit being relatively angularly movable about an axis of rotation and extending for an appreciable distance along the axis of rotation, the orifices of the unit being formed between the inner surface of the outer part and four grooves formed in the four arcuate segments of the outer surface of the inner part, one groove to an arcuate segment, each groove having its ends at the sides of the associated arcuate segments and extending for an appreciable distance generally parallel to the axis of rotation and to a slight extent about the axis of rotation, the four take-off openings of the unit being formed in the inner surface of the outer part and extending parallel to the axis of rotation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
300 words
In a vehicle in which two drive mechanisms are driven at the same speed in a given direction for straight forward movement of the vehicle, at the same speed in the opposite direction for straight rearward movement of the vehicle, and at speeds in opposite directions or with a proportional differential of speed powered in the same direction for steering of the vehicle, and in which two hydraulic actuators control the direction of drive of the drive mechanisms by the algebraic signs of the differences of the hydraulic pressures applied to the actuators, and proportionally control the speeds of the drive mechanisms by the amounts of such differences, the combination comprising: the actuators; a tiltable joy stick (22) and a translatory and rotary bipartite valve (20, 21) operatively related together to afford manual control over an hydraulic pressure differential applied to the actuators; said bipartite valve having a direction part (20) with slidably related hydraulic differential creating elements, said actuators connected in the output of said elements and responsive to the signs of the differences of the hydraulic pressures applied thereto by said elements; said bipartite valve having a steering part (21) with rotatably related hydraulic differential creating members, said actuators connected in the output of said members and incrementally proportionally responsive to the amounts of differences of the hydraulic pressures applied thereto by said members; means (40) supporting the joy stick and bipartite valve in the operative relationship described enabling rightward and leftward tilt of the joy stick to turn the members of the steering part in two directions of rotation; and means (40a, 40b) supporting the joy stick and bipartite valve in the operative relationship described enabling forward and rearward tilt of the joy stick to slide the elements of the direction part in two directions of translation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
300 words
In a vehicle in which two drive mechanisms are driven at the same speed in a given direction for straight forward movement of the vehicle, at the same speed in the opposite direction for straight rearward movement of the vehicle, and at speeds in opposite directions or with a proportional differential of speed powered in the same direction for steering of the vehicle, and in which two hydraulic actuators control the direction of drive of the drive mechanisms by the algebraic signs of the differences of the hydraulic pressures applied to the actuators, and proportionally control the speeds of the drive mechanisms by the amounts of such differences, the combination comprising: the actuators; a tiltable joy stick (22) and a translatory and rotary bipartite valve (20, 21) operatively related together to afford manual control over an hydraulic pressure differential applied to the actuators; said bipartite valve having a direction part (20) with slidably related hydraulic differential creating elements, said actuators connected in the output of said elements and responsive to the signs of the differences of the hydraulic pressures applied thereto by said elements; said bipartite valve having a steering part (21) with rotatably related hydraulic differential creating members, said actuators connected in the output of said members and incrementally proportionally responsive to the amounts of differences of the hydraulic pressures applied thereto by said members; means (40) supporting the joy stick and bipartite valve in the operative relationship described enabling rightward and leftward tilt of the joy stick to turn the members of the steering part in two directions of rotation; and means (40a, 40b) supporting the joy stick and bipartite valve in the operative relationship described enabling forward and rearward tilt of the joy stick to slide the elements of the direction part in two directions of translation.
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) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |