US3880439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self steering mechanism
Assignee: LEVY-RUSSELL Ltd
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Filing: 1973-12-20
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1993-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A self steering mechanism for the rear wheels of truck trailers. Each wheel has a positive castor and is connected to an inner and an outer steering tie rod to a cam. A locking pin normally holds the cam from rotating and thereby prevents steering of the rear wheels. A pneumatic steering valve is located between the inner and outer tie rods of each wheel. When the trailer turns, the wheels attempt to self steer due to their castor and exert force on the tie rods, activating one of the valves, which causes the locking pin to be withdrawn from the cam, permitting steering of the rear wheels. At the same time, the steer valve actuates a pneumatic bellows which acts on the tie rods opposite those between which the actuated steering valve is located, to power assist the steering action. A separate control keeps the cam locked during backing up, to prevent self steering at such time.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Wolter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:52
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D13/00; B62D13/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A self-steering mechanism for the trailing wheels of a vehicle, comprising: 1. suspension means for said vehicle, 2. means mounting said wheels to said suspension means so that said wheels tend to steer in the direction of a forward turn of said vehicle, 3. steering linkage means interconnecting said wheels, 4. locking means connected between said suspension means and said steering linkage means, said locking means having a first normal condition and a second operative condition, 5. said locking means including means operative when said locking means is in its first normal condition to bias said steering linkage means towards a centre position in which said wheels are in a straightened position, and to prevent movement of said steering linkage from said centre position thus preventing steering of said wheels; said locking means when in said second operated condition permitting movement of said steering linkage means and hence permitting steering of said wheels, 6. valve connected with said steering linkage means and operative in response to steering pressure of a said wheel, 7. and means connecting said valve means to said locking means for operation of said valve means to operate said locking means to its second condition thereby to permit steering movement of said wheels, said valve means being responsive to termination of such steering pressure to terminate operation of said locking means, whereby said locking means then biases said steering linkage to its said centre position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A self-steering mechanism for the trailing wheels of a vehicle, comprising: 1. suspension means for said vehicle, 2. means mounting said wheels to said suspension means so that said wheels tend to steer in the direction of a forward turn of said vehicle, 3. steering linkage means interconnecting said wheels, 4. locking means connected between said suspension means and said steering linkage means, said locking means having a first normal condition and a second operative condition, 5. said locking means including means operative when said locking means is in its first normal condition to bias said steering linkage means towards a centre position in which said wheels are in a straightened position, and to prevent movement of said steering linkage from said centre position thus preventing steering of said wheels; said locking means when in said second operated condition permitting movement of said steering linkage means and hence permitting steering of said wheels, 6. valve connected with said steering linkage means and operative in response to steering pressure of a said wheel, 7. and means connecting said valve means to said locking means for operation of said valve means to operate said locking means to its second condition thereby to permit steering movement of said wheels, said valve means being responsive to termination of such steering pressure to terminate operation of said locking means, whereby said locking means then biases said steering linkage to its said centre position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
means mounting said wheels to said suspension means so that said wheels tend to steer in the direction of a forward turn of said vehicle,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
means mounting said wheels to said suspension means so that said wheels tend to steer in the direction of a forward turn of said vehicle,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 and including power means for power assisting the steering of said wheels, and connecting means connecting said power means with said valve means for operation of said valve means, consequent upon exertion by a wheel of steering pressure in a given direction, to operate said power means to assist the steering of at least one of said wheels in said given direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
A mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said valve means comprises left and right steering valves, said power means comprises left and right power steering actuators, said connecting means connecting said valves and actuators for operation of said left valve to operate said right actuator and for operation of said right valve to operate said left actuator, means connecting said left actuator to exert steering pressure on said left wheel in one direction only and means connecting said right steering actuator to exert steering pressure on said right wheel in a second direction only, said second direction being opposite to said one direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
6 words
steering linkage means interconnecting said wheels,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
6 words
steering linkage means interconnecting said wheels,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
locking means connected between said suspension means and said steering linkage means, said locking means having a first normal condition and a second operative condition,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
locking means connected between said suspension means and said steering linkage means, said locking means having a first normal condition and a second operative condition,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
148 words
A mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said locking means comprises a cam member, means pivotally mounting said cam member on said suspension means, means connecting said steering linkage means to said cam member for steering movement of said steering linkage means to rotate said cam member, said cam member having a cam surface, a locking member, means normally biasing said locking member against said cam surface to urge said cam member to a position in which said steering linkage is in its straightened position, and means responsive to operation of a said steering valve for moving said locking member away from said cam surface thus allowing said cam member to turn, said means for moving said locking member including means limiting movement of said locking member so that as said wheels turn, said locking member may engage said cam member thus to limit turning of said wheels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
A mechanism according to claim 4 wherein said steering linkage means includes left outer and inner steering links and right outer and inner steering links, said outer steering links being connected to said wheels and said inner steering links being connected to said cam member, said left valve being connected between said left outer and said left inner steering links and said right valve being connected between said right outer and said right inner steering links and each steering valve being capable of transmitting steering pressure in both said one direction and said second direction between the steering links connected thereto, said left and right valves each being operative in response to compression thereof and being rendered inoperative in response to tension exerted thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
said locking means including means operative when said locking means is in its first normal condition to bias said steering linkage means towards a centre position in which said wheels are in a straightened position, and to prevent movement of said steering linkage from said centre position thus preventing steering of said wheels; said locking means when in said second operated condition permitting movement of said steering linkage means and hence permitting steering of said wheels,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
said locking means including means operative when said locking means is in its first normal condition to bias said steering linkage means towards a centre position in which said wheels are in a straightened position, and to prevent movement of said steering linkage from said centre position thus preventing steering of said wheels; said locking means when in said second operated condition permitting movement of said steering linkage means and hence permitting steering of said wheels,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
valve connected with said steering linkage means and operative in response to steering pressure of a said wheel,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
valve connected with said steering linkage means and operative in response to steering pressure of a said wheel,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
124 words
A mechanism according to claim 4 wherein said steering linkage means includes left outer and inner steering links and right outer and inner steering links, said outer steering links being connected to said wheels and said inner steering links being connected to said cam member, said left valve being connected between said left outer and said left inner steering links and said right valve being connected between said right outer and said right inner steering links and each steering valve being capable of transmitting steering pressure in both said one direction and said second direction between the steering links connected thereto, said left and right valves each being operative in response to tension exerted thereon and being rendered inoperative in response to compression thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
A mechanism according to claim 4 wherein said cam surface includes a V-shaped indent and a curved surface extending on each side of said indent, said locking member having a pointed tip shaped to fit within said indent to lock said cam member against rotation when said tip is forced into and seated within said V-shaped indent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
and means connecting said valve means to said locking means for operation of said valve means to operate said locking means to its second condition thereby to permit steering movement of said wheels, said valve means being responsive to termination of such steering pressure to terminate operation of said locking means, whereby said locking means then biases said steering linkage to its said centre position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
65 words
and means connecting said valve means to said locking means for operation of said valve means to operate said locking means to its second condition thereby to permit steering movement of said wheels, said valve means being responsive to termination of such steering pressure to terminate operation of said locking means, whereby said locking means then biases said steering linkage to its said centre position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
120 words
A mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said means normally biasing said locking member against said cam includes a bias member, and a first spring normally urging said bias member against said locking member to force said locking member against said cam, said means for moving said locking member away from said cam surface including a second spring normally urging said locking member away from said cam surface, said second spring being of substantially less compressive strength than said firsT spring, and power means responsive to operation of a said steering valve for forcing said bias member away from said locking member, whereby said second spring may then move said tip of said locking member away from said cam surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
101 words
A mechanism according to claim 8 wherein said steering valves are pneumatic valves, said power means for forcing said bias member away from said locking member being pneumatic means, said means for limiting movement of said locking member including pneumatic feed means connected between said steering valves and said locking means for feeding air at a controlled rate to said power means upon during operation of said steering valve, whereby to limit the speed of movement of said bias member away from said locking member, thus to limit the speed of movement of said locking member away from said cam surface.
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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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |