US3716110A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering and directing mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-07-22
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1990-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A power drive means of the motion augmentation type is provided by means of actuation of a reaction element of a kinematic machine coupling directing and dirigible members, to effect differential motions thereof in response to selected effects of directing motion. Means adaptable to rack-and-pinion steering and means adaptable to worm-and-pitman-arm steering are disclosed. The approach is adaptable to either hydraulic or electrical actuation. Stability augmentation may also be provided from sensors of vehicle maneuvering, resulting in adaptive steering.
Inventors
- 👤 A Fonda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:22
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A steering and directing mechanism including a directing member and a dirigible member operable each in a selected mode, power drive means comprising a kinematic machine interposed to operably connect said members in said modes and further comprising actuating means for the actuation of a selected reaction element of said kinematic machine to effect the substantial movement of either of said members with respect to the other, and power modulating means for controlling said actuating means, comprising at least one element responsive to a selected effect of the motion of said directing member in said selected mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A steering and directing mechanism including a directing member and a dirigible member operable each in a selected mode, power drive means comprising a kinematic machine interposed to operably connect said members in said modes and further comprising actuating means for the actuation of a selected reaction element of said kinematic machine to effect the substantial movement of either of said members with respect to the other, and power modulating means for controlling said actuating means, comprising at least one element responsive to a selected effect of the motion of said directing member in said selected mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
A steering and directing mechanism including a directing member and a dirigible member operable each in a selected mode, power drive means comprising a kinematic machine interposed to operably connect said members in said modes and further comprising actuating means for the actuation of a selected reaction element of said kinematic machine to effect the substantial movement of either of said members with respect to the other, and power modulating means for controlling said actuating means, comprising at least one element responsive to a selected effect of the motion of said directing member in said selected mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A steering and directing mechanism including a directing member and a dirigible member operable each in a selected mode, power drive means comprising a kinematic machine interposed to operably connect said members in said modes and further comprising actuating means for the actuation of a selected reaction element of said kinematic machine to effect the substantial movement of either of said members with respect to the other, and power modulating means for controlling said actuating means, comprising at least one element responsive to a selected effect of the motion of said directing member in said selected mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said kinematic machine is a lever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said kinematic machine is an epicyclic train.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said kinematic machine is a wedge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said kinematic machine is a rack and pinion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said kinematic machine comprises a pair of matingly threaded members with constraints whereby one of said pair is axially constrained by said actuable reaction element and one of said pair is torsionally constrained.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said kinematic machine comprises a pair of matingly threaded members with constraints whereby one of said pair is torsionally constrained by said actuable reaction element and one of said pair is axially constrained.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein a non-irreversible mechanism connects said directing member with said kinematic machine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said dirigible member is operable by an at least partial gear operable by a rack operable by said kinematic machine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, and a terrestrial vehicle including elements for changing the direction of motion of the vehicle in response to said motion of said dirigible member, wherein said directing member is a manually operable steering member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
Mechanism as in claim 10, wherein said elements for changing the direction of motion of the vehicle are the steerable front wheels of the vehicle and said steering membeR is a hand steering wheel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
Mechanism as in claim 10, wherein said power modulating means includes at least one element responsive to an effect of changing the direction of motion of the vehicle, for actuation of said power drive means to effect steering of said vehicle in opposition to said changes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, including means whereby one of said responsive elements of said power modulating means is responsive to the departure from a selected initial position of said directing member in said mode, for actuation of said power drive means to effect supplemental motion of said dirigible member from its corresponding initial position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
Mechanism as in claim 13, including means to effect greater supplemental motion per unit of said departure as said departure increases, through at least part of the range of motion of said directing member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, including means whereby one of said responsive elements is responsive to said movement of either of said members with respect to the other, for inducing counter-actuation of said power drive means, and means whereby said power drive means is highly responsive to the resulting sum of the selected effects.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, including a second kinematic machine interposed to operably connect said members in said modes, wherein at least one of said responsive elements is interposed in and operable by said second kinematic machine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
Mechanism as in claim 16, wherein said second kinematic machine tends to effect motion of said dirigible member, per unit of motion of said directing member, in excess of that tending to be effected by the first said kinematic machine in the absence of motion of said reaction element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
Mechanism as in claim 16, wherein said second kinematic machine tends to effect motion of said dirigible member, per unit of motion of said directing member, increasing with departure of selected elements of said second kinematic machine from a selected initial relative position, through at least part of the range of said departure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
Mechanism as in claim 16, wherein said second kinematic machine tends to effect motion of said dirigible member, per unit of motion of said directing member, increasing with departure of selected elements of said kinematic machine from a selected initial relative position, through at least part of the range of said departure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
117 words
Mechanism as in claim 16, wherein the first said kinematic machine includes a manually rotatable first screw with first nut thereon engaged axially with a rack engaged with a pinion whereby said dirigible member is operable, said nut is torsionally operable by said actuating means, and wherein said second kinematic machine includes a first gear on the shaft of said screw, meshed with a second gear on the shaft of a second screw with a second nut thereon engaged axially with said rack, said responsive element is interposed between the shaft of said first screw and said first gear and is increasingly resistant to motion therebetween, and a slippage device is interposed in said second kinematic machine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, with means for the operation of at least one of said responsive elements through an interposed mechanical releif device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
Mechanism as in claim 21, wherein frictional slippage provides said releif.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
Mechanism as in claim 21, and means whereby said responsive element becomes unresponsive when relief is provided by said relief device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said actuating means is irreversible.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said actuating means provides effort at least in part decreasingly diminishing with increase of actuation velocity.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said actuating means is fluid powered.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said actuating means is electrically powered.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
Mechanism as in claim 27, using a motor at least in part series wound.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
Mechanism as in claim 1, wherein said aCtuating means is mechanically powered from a steadily rotating shaft.
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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) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |