US3797602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle guidance system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-07-13
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-07-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is provided for automatically guiding a vehicle along a predetermined path in response to steer right, steer left, and steer without change signals obtained from trailing wheel apparatus following a precut trench. The trailing wheel is supported by a carriage assembly which is horizontally doublyarticulated and also pivotally connected to the vehicle for vertical travel. The carriage assembly includes a pair of limit switches and a vertically oriented pin normally positioned between the feeler arms thereof. Should the vehicle deviate sufficiently to one side of the predetermined path fixed by the precut trench, the carriage assembly shifts in such a manner that the pin touches one of the switch feeler arms to actuate the corresponding switch. An electrical signal developed therefrom institutes motor driven corrective action to the vehicle steering system, which corrective action is released once the pin is again oriented between the pair of feeler arms and touching neither. In the exemplary embodiment, the system is utilized to guide a farm tractor which may be provided with means to automatically cut guide trenches for a succeeding pass within an area where earth is being worked.
Inventors
- 👤 H Sumida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:44
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B69/00; A01B69/007; A01B69/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
327 words
An automatic system for guiding a vehicle in accordance with a precut trench, said system comprising: a. steerable wheel means for determining the vehicle''s direction of travel; b. a reversible electric motor; c. mechanical linkage means including speed reducing means for coupling said motor to said steerable wheel means; d. trailing wheel means normally riding in the precut trench; e. a carriage assembly fixed to the vehicle and supporting said trailing wheel at an aft end thereof, said carriage assembly comprising: 1. first doubly articulated pivotal means for permitting said wheel to remain in said trench should the path of the vehicle veer from the path dictated by the precut trench, said first pivotal means including upper and lower frame members disposed intermedIate forward and aft pivot members; 2. second pivotal means for permitting vertical movement of said wheel with respect to said vehicle; 3. first and second normally open switches fixed to said forward pivot member and having corresponding rearwardly directed first and second feelers; and 4. a pin disposed between said first and second feelers for actuating said first switch and thus closing the contacts thereof if the vehicle veers beyond a predetermined angle in a first direction with respect to said guide trench and for actuating said second switch and thus closing the contacts thereof if the vehicle veers beyond a predetermined angle in a second direction with respect to said guide trench; f. a source of electrical energy; and g. a plurality of conductor means electrically coupling said source, said motor, and said switches whereby actuation of said first switch energizes said motor to move said wheel means such that the vehicle is steered in the second direction, said motor being de-energized when said first switch is no longer actuated, and whereby actuation of said motor to move said wheel means such that the vehicle is steered in the first direction, said motor being de-energized when said second switch is no longer actuated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
327 words
An automatic system for guiding a vehicle in accordance with a precut trench, said system comprising: a. steerable wheel means for determining the vehicle''s direction of travel; b. a reversible electric motor; c. mechanical linkage means including speed reducing means for coupling said motor to said steerable wheel means; d. trailing wheel means normally riding in the precut trench; e. a carriage assembly fixed to the vehicle and supporting said trailing wheel at an aft end thereof, said carriage assembly comprising: 1. first doubly articulated pivotal means for permitting said wheel to remain in said trench should the path of the vehicle veer from the path dictated by the precut trench, said first pivotal means including upper and lower frame members disposed intermedIate forward and aft pivot members; 2. second pivotal means for permitting vertical movement of said wheel with respect to said vehicle; 3. first and second normally open switches fixed to said forward pivot member and having corresponding rearwardly directed first and second feelers; and 4. a pin disposed between said first and second feelers for actuating said first switch and thus closing the contacts thereof if the vehicle veers beyond a predetermined angle in a first direction with respect to said guide trench and for actuating said second switch and thus closing the contacts thereof if the vehicle veers beyond a predetermined angle in a second direction with respect to said guide trench; f. a source of electrical energy; and g. a plurality of conductor means electrically coupling said source, said motor, and said switches whereby actuation of said first switch energizes said motor to move said wheel means such that the vehicle is steered in the second direction, said motor being de-energized when said first switch is no longer actuated, and whereby actuation of said motor to move said wheel means such that the vehicle is steered in the first direction, said motor being de-energized when said second switch is no longer actuated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
second pivotal means for permitting vertical movement of said wheel with respect to said vehicle;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
second pivotal means for permitting vertical movement of said wheel with respect to said vehicle;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 in which said pin depends from one of said frame members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 in which rotational movement about said first pivot member is limited in both directions by stop means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
first and second normally open switches fixed to said forward pivot member and having corresponding rearwardly directed first and second feelers; and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
first and second normally open switches fixed to said forward pivot member and having corresponding rearwardly directed first and second feelers; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
159 words
a pin disposed between said first and second feelers for actuating said first switch and thus closing the contacts thereof if the vehicle veers beyond a predetermined angle in a first direction with respect to said guide trench and for actuating said second switch and thus closing the contacts thereof if the vehicle veers beyond a predetermined angle in a second direction with respect to said guide trench; f. a source of electrical energy; and g. a plurality of conductor means electrically coupling said source, said motor, and said switches whereby actuation of said first switch energizes said motor to move said wheel means such that the vehicle is steered in the second direction, said motor being de-energized when said first switch is no longer actuated, and whereby actuation of said motor to move said wheel means such that the vehicle is steered in the first direction, said motor being de-energized when said second switch is no longer actuated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
159 words
a pin disposed between said first and second feelers for actuating said first switch and thus closing the contacts thereof if the vehicle veers beyond a predetermined angle in a first direction with respect to said guide trench and for actuating said second switch and thus closing the contacts thereof if the vehicle veers beyond a predetermined angle in a second direction with respect to said guide trench; f. a source of electrical energy; and g. a plurality of conductor means electrically coupling said source, said motor, and said switches whereby actuation of said first switch energizes said motor to move said wheel means such that the vehicle is steered in the second direction, said motor being de-energized when said first switch is no longer actuated, and whereby actuation of said motor to move said wheel means such that the vehicle is steered in the first direction, said motor being de-energized when said second switch is no longer actuated.
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) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |