US3679015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control for a differentially steered vehicle
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-28
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1990-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A control mechanism for disengaging the clutch and applying the brake to the wheels on one side of a differentially steered vehicle. The mechanism includes two control cables, each of the control cables being connected to the clutch and brake assembly within the drive line for the drive wheels on one side of a differentially steered vehicle. In the drive line illustrated each control cable will, when initially actuated, disengage a clutch in said drive line and, upon further actuation, apply a brake to said drive line. The actuating mechanism includes an actuator secured to a rotatable shaft, the actuator having an axially extending lug which is disposed between two arms. The arms are journalled about the shaft at one end and connected to an associated control cable at the other end. Each of the arms is normally biased against a stop by the associated control cable, each of which is spring biased away from the arm. Rotation of the actuator will cause the lug to contact one of the arms, forcing it away from the stop and in turn actuating its associated control cable.
Inventors
- 👤 Joe E Shriver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:44
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D11/00; B62D11/02; B62D11/06; B62D11/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A control for differentially steered vehicle of the class described comprising: first and second control cables, a U-shaped mounting bracket, a rotatable shaft journalled in said bracket, first and second swingable arm means, said arm means being connected at one end to said first and second cable means, a portion of said mounting bracket being interposed between said arm means and acting as stop means, means biasing said arm means towards said stop means, and an actuator fixed to said shaft, said actuator mechanism having lug means disposed between said arm means and operable upon rotation of said shaft to contact one or the other of said arm means to swing it away from said stop.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A control for differentially steered vehicle of the class described comprising: first and second control cables, a U-shaped mounting bracket, a rotatable shaft journalled in said bracket, first and second swingable arm means, said arm means being connected at one end to said first and second cable means, a portion of said mounting bracket being interposed between said arm means and acting as stop means, means biasing said arm means towards said stop means, and an actuator fixed to said shaft, said actuator mechanism having lug means disposed between said arm means and operable upon rotation of said shaft to contact one or the other of said arm means to swing it away from said stop.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The control for a differentially steered vehicle set forth in claim 1 in which said means biasing said arm means against towards said stop means comprises first and second tension springs connected respectively to said first and second control cables at an end remote from said arm means, said springs normally causiNg said cables to pull the arm means against said stop means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control for a differentially steered vehicle set forth in claim 1 in which said arm means are rotatably journalled about the said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
256 words
A control for a differentially steered vehicle having right and left ground engaging wheel means, a common drive for said right and left ground engaging wheel means, and first and second coupling means operable to drivingly interconnect the drive means with said right and left ground engaging wheel means, respectively, said first and second coupling means each including a clutch, a brake, and an actuatable lever operatively interconnected with said clutch and said brake and operable upon actuation to initially disengage said clutch, and upon further actuation to gradually apply said brake; the combination therewith of first and second cable means, each of said cable means having one end connected to the lever means of said first and second coupling means, respectively, a shaft rotatably journalled in a U-shaped mounting bracket and disposed in a centered position during straight ahead movement of said vehicle, first and second swingable arms each being connected to one of said first and second control cables, respectively, a portion of said mounting bracket being disposed between said swingable arms and acting as stop means, means normally biasing said arms against said stop means, and an actuator mounted on said rotatable shaft and disposed between said arms and operable upon initial rotation of said shaft away from said centered position to swing one of said arms away from said stop thereby causing said lever means to be actuated to initially disengage one of said clutches, and, upon further rotation of said shaft, to gradually apply the brake associated with said one clutch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
256 words
A control for a differentially steered vehicle having right and left ground engaging wheel means, a common drive for said right and left ground engaging wheel means, and first and second coupling means operable to drivingly interconnect the drive means with said right and left ground engaging wheel means, respectively, said first and second coupling means each including a clutch, a brake, and an actuatable lever operatively interconnected with said clutch and said brake and operable upon actuation to initially disengage said clutch, and upon further actuation to gradually apply said brake; the combination therewith of first and second cable means, each of said cable means having one end connected to the lever means of said first and second coupling means, respectively, a shaft rotatably journalled in a U-shaped mounting bracket and disposed in a centered position during straight ahead movement of said vehicle, first and second swingable arms each being connected to one of said first and second control cables, respectively, a portion of said mounting bracket being disposed between said swingable arms and acting as stop means, means normally biasing said arms against said stop means, and an actuator mounted on said rotatable shaft and disposed between said arms and operable upon initial rotation of said shaft away from said centered position to swing one of said arms away from said stop thereby causing said lever means to be actuated to initially disengage one of said clutches, and, upon further rotation of said shaft, to gradually apply the brake associated with said one clutch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control for a differentially steered vehicle set forth in claim 4 in which said biasing means comprises a pair of tension springs connected to the end of each of said first and second cables remote from said arms.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |