US3703217A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle with manually operated steering system
Assignee: Linde Material Handling UK Ltd
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Filing: 1970-10-07
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Granted: 1972-11-21
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Expires: 1990-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle has a manually operated steering system controlled by a steering handle, there being mounted on the steering handle an operating element which, in the event of a sudden disability of the driver, effects operation of a shutting-down system on the vehicle. The operating element comprises an electrical conductor mounted on the steering handle and functioning as a capacitive transmitter which constitutes the active capacitance in a capacitive bridge circuit for detecting a change in the effective capacitance of the capacitive transmitter, according to whether or not a driver''s hand is on the steering handle. The bridge circuit operates a relay which switches off the vehicle circuits and also controls an hydraulic ram assembly which acts on a brake when the relay is operated.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruno Kulick
- 👤 Karlheinz Lamneck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:23
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; B60; B60K; B60K28/00; B60K28/02; B60K28/06; B60T; B60T7/00; B60T7/12; B60T7/14; B60L; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A vehicle having a manually operated steering system controlled by a steering handle including a steering wheel, and having, mounted on said steering wheel, a capacitative transmitter comprising a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor, said first electrical conductor being formed by a metallic core embedded within and extending around said steering wheel, said second conductor being spaced from said first conductor and having at least a part thereof exposed on said steering handle, the effective capacitance of said capacitative transmitter varying according to whether or not a driver''s hand is on said steering handle, said capacitative transmitter constituting one arm of a capacitative bridge circuit, and the vehicle also having a monostable switch circuit which follows said bridge circuit and supplies a control current for a safety element controlling a shutting down system for the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A vehicle having a manually operated steering system controlled by a steering handle including a steering wheel, and having, mounted on said steering wheel, a capacitative transmitter comprising a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor, said first electrical conductor being formed by a metallic core embedded within and extending around said steering wheel, said second conductor being spaced from said first conductor and having at least a part thereof exposed on said steering handle, the effective capacitance of said capacitative transmitter varying according to whether or not a driver''s hand is on said steering handle, said capacitative transmitter constituting one arm of a capacitative bridge circuit, and the vehicle also having a monostable switch circuit which follows said bridge circuit and supplies a control current for a safety element controlling a shutting down system for the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
139 words
A vehicle having a manually operated steering system controlled by a steering handle including a steering wheel, and having, mounted on said steering wheel, a capacitative transmitter comprising a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor, said first electrical conductor being formed by a metallic core embedded within and extending around said steering wheel, said second conductor being spaced from said first conductor and having at least a part thereof exposed on said steering handle, the effective capacitance of said capacitative transmitter varying according to whether or not a driver''s hand is on said steering handle, said capacitative transmitter constituting one arm of a capacitative bridge circuit, and the vehicle also having a monostable switch circuit which follows said bridge circuit and supplies a control current for a safety element controlling a shutting down system for the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
139 words
A vehicle having a manually operated steering system controlled by a steering handle including a steering wheel, and having, mounted on said steering wheel, a capacitative transmitter comprising a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor, said first electrical conductor being formed by a metallic core embedded within and extending around said steering wheel, said second conductor being spaced from said first conductor and having at least a part thereof exposed on said steering handle, the effective capacitance of said capacitative transmitter varying according to whether or not a driver''s hand is on said steering handle, said capacitative transmitter constituting one arm of a capacitative bridge circuit, and the vehicle also having a monostable switch circuit which follows said bridge circuit and supplies a control current for a safety element controlling a shutting down system for the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said second electrical conductor extends around said steering wheel at a uniform distance from said first electrical conductor and a crank knob is mounted upon said steering wheel, said crank knob having a metal shaft portion connected to said second electrical conductor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said crank knob has a shank and a head, and said shank of the knob incorporates said metal shaft portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
A vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said capacitative bridge circuit controls an hydraulic circuit of the vehicle incorporating an hydraulic ram assembly which acts on a brake element when a cylinder of said ram assembly is depressurized, a movable member of said ram assembly being in adjustable connection with a switching member in the supply circuit of an hydraulic pump in said hydraulic circuit, said switching member being adapted to place said pump in a condition to start when the pressure in said hydraulic cylinder drops.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said switching member also controls a valve which releases a supply of hydraulic fluid delivered by said hydraulic pump into said hydraulic circuit of the vehicle only if the piston of said hydraulic ram assembly is first moved by hydraulic pressure generated by said pump into a limiting position to release said brake element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A vehicle according to claim 5, wherein a valve assembly incorporating a non-return valve is disposed upstream of said hydraulic ram assembly to release return flow from said cylinder of said ram assembly in the event of said shutting-down system becoming operative.
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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) | 1975-11-21 | 1976-05-22 | 1976-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-21 | 1980-05-22 | 1980-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-21 | 1984-05-22 | 1984-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |