US3853069A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle steering means
Assignee: Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Ltd
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Filing: 1972-08-18
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1992-08-18
Abstract
Abstract Steering apparatus for causing a wheeled vehicle automatically to follow a roadway or prepared track comprises a follower on the vehicle mounted on the forward end of a pivoted lever so as to be movable laterally to and fro to trace the line of a stationary longitudinal guidance element lying along the length of the track. The lever carrying the follower, which lever projects forwardly of the axle of the steerable wheels, has its rear part resiliently coupled to the track rod of a self-centering steering mechanism for the wheels.
Inventors
- 👤 L Goodwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:08
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/24; B62D1/26; B62D1/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for steering a wheeled vehicle, comprising a longitudinally-extending stationary guidance element lying substantially continuously along the length of a track that the vehicle is to follow, follower means mounted on the vehicle and arranged for shifting laterally to and fro relatively to the vehicle while following the line of said guidance element, a steering mechanism whereby steerable wheels of the vehicle are steered, means for automatically centering said steering mechanism, and means operatively connecting the follower means to the steering mechanism such that the lateral movements of the follower means are translated into steering movements of the steering mechanism, said connecting means including both resilient-coupling means and damping means whereby said steering movements are both resiliently transmitted and damped.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for steering a wheeled vehicle, comprising a longitudinally-extending stationary guidance element lying substantially continuously along the length of a track that the vehicle is to follow, follower means mounted on the vehicle and arranged for shifting laterally to and fro relatively to the vehicle while following the line of said guidance element, a steering mechanism whereby steerable wheels of the vehicle are steered, means for automatically centering said steering mechanism, and means operatively connecting the follower means to the steering mechanism such that the lateral movements of the follower means are translated into steering movements of the steering mechanism, said connecting means including both resilient-coupling means and damping means whereby said steering movements are both resiliently transmitted and damped.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the follower means is carried on one end of a lever which lever is pivotally mounted on the vehicle to enable said lever end to swing laterally to and fro relatively to the vehicle as the follower follows the guidance element, and the resilient coupling and damping means is connected between the lever and the steering mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lever extends generally fore and aft and swings in a substantially horizontal plane, and the follower means is carried in advance of an axle of the steerable wheels at the forward end of the lever, the rear part of the lever being resiliently coupled to a steering track rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lever extends generally vertically and swings about a horizontal fore and aft pivot axis, and the follower means is carried below an axle of the steerable wheels at the lower end of the lever, the upper part of the lever being resiliently coupled to a steering track rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the resilient coupling and damping means comprise a set of springs and a damper or dampers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-centering of the steering mechanism is effected by a set of springs and dampers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the follower means is mechanically constrained to follow the guidance element, the latter taking the form of a rail extending along the track.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the follower means comprises a roller biased against a single longitudinal substantially vertical surface of the guidance element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the follower means comprises coil means electromagnetically tracing a guidance element in the form of a wire extending along the track and carrying an electric current.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, applied to both front and rear steerable wheels of a vehicle.
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) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |