US3815697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering clutch and brake control system
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
•
Filing: 1972-09-01
•
Granted: 1974-06-11
•
Expires: 1992-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A steering system for track-type vehicles wherein a foot pedal actuates a hydraulic valve to signal a hydraulic motor to disengage a steering clutch and wherein the same pedal, after actuating said valve, physically bears upon the valve housing to mechanically cause engagement of a corresponding steering brake means. The foot pedal is biased towards a normal rest position by means of two springs having different spring rates, such that initial movement of the pedal requires only light force whereas subsequent movement requires a greater force.
Inventors
- 👤 J Bridwell
- 👤 R Casey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:51
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D11/00; B62D11/02; B62D11/06; B62D11/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
In a vehicle having a plurality of tracks and vehicle frame means, a steering control system comprising; a source of fluid under pressure, clutch means for at least one track of said vehicle, brake means for said track, valve means for selectively connecting said source of fluid to said clutch means to actuate said clutch means for disengagement thereof, control members means movable in a first direction for actuating said valve means and in a second direction for rendering said valve means inoperative to connect said source wIth said clutch means, mechanical linkage means connected to said control member means and said brake means, said control member means also operative for engaging said brake means, said control member means including a first member upon which said valve means is mounted and a second member movable relative to said first member sequentially to engage and actuate said valve means to connect said source to said clutch means and then to engage said brake means upon continuation of movement thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a vehicle having a plurality of tracks and vehicle frame means, a steering control system comprising; a source of fluid under pressure, clutch means for at least one track of said vehicle, brake means for said track, valve means for selectively connecting said source of fluid to said clutch means to actuate said clutch means for disengagement thereof, control members means movable in a first direction for actuating said valve means and in a second direction for rendering said valve means inoperative to connect said source wIth said clutch means, mechanical linkage means connected to said control member means and said brake means, said control member means also operative for engaging said brake means, said control member means including a first member upon which said valve means is mounted and a second member movable relative to said first member sequentially to engage and actuate said valve means to connect said source to said clutch means and then to engage said brake means upon continuation of movement thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
139 words
A steering clutch and brake control system, for a track-type vehicle having a driven track on each side thereof and having normally engaged track clutch means, and normally disengaged brake means, comprising; a source of fluid under pressure, valve means for proportionately communicating said source of fluid to said clutch means for disengagement thereof, said valve means including a housing with a spool disposed therein, mechanical linkage means for engaging said brake means and for mountably supporting said valve means housing, and manually operated control means movable in a first direction for initially engaging and actuating said valve means to disengage said clutch means and for preparing said mechanical linkage means for responsive braking and for directly contacting said housing and moving said housing to thereafter act directly upon said mechanical linkage means to mechanically actuate said brake means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
139 words
A steering clutch and brake control system, for a track-type vehicle having a driven track on each side thereof and having normally engaged track clutch means, and normally disengaged brake means, comprising; a source of fluid under pressure, valve means for proportionately communicating said source of fluid to said clutch means for disengagement thereof, said valve means including a housing with a spool disposed therein, mechanical linkage means for engaging said brake means and for mountably supporting said valve means housing, and manually operated control means movable in a first direction for initially engaging and actuating said valve means to disengage said clutch means and for preparing said mechanical linkage means for responsive braking and for directly contacting said housing and moving said housing to thereafter act directly upon said mechanical linkage means to mechanically actuate said brake means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said second member is a foot pedal pivotally mounted upon said vehicle frame means about a common axis with said first member, first stop means mounted upon said first member for engaging said foot pedal and first spring means connected between said vehicle frame means and said pedal for biasing said foot pedal toward engagement with said first stop means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said valve means includes a pressure reducing valve having means for varying the pressure of fluid passing therethrough and having a housing mounted upon and fixed with respect to said first member, said valve having a stem portion which is adapted to engage said foot pedal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said valve means further include a spool member having land portions thereon for selectively blocking or permitting fluid to flow between said source and said clutch means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said foot pedal is actuateable in said first direction to first move said stem portion toward said spool member to cause said spool member to permit the flow of fluid to said clutch means and secondly to engage a portion of said valve housing to move said housing and said first member to actuate said brake means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
The invention of claim 6 further including second spring means connected between said mechanical linkage means and said vehicle frame means for biasing said brake means toward a disengaged position, said second spring means having a greater spring rate than said first spring means such that the force required to move said foot pedal to actuate said spool member to disengage said clutch means is less than the force required to continue to move said foot pedal to engage said valve housing and to engage said brake means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said vehicle has a track mounted upon each of two sides of said frame means and wherein separate brake means, clutch means, valve means, control member means, and mechanical linkage means are provided for each said track.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein a third foot pedal means is provided separately from said foot pedals for each respective track and wherein second and third stop means are provided upon each respective valve housing carrying member for each respective track, there being one such stop means upon each said member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein said third pedal means include means for simultaneously engaging said second and third stop means for simultaneously moving each of said housing carrying members to engage the brake means for eAch track.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 1 further including hydraulic motor means for actuating said clutch means and conduit means for communicating hydraulic fluid from said valve means to said motor means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3262525A
Cited
US3709344A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |