US3972538A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle steering mechanism
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1975-02-03
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Granted: 1976-08-03
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Expires: 1995-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A system for providing differential steering in vehicles having spaced dual wheels steerable about vertical axes. The steered wheels are interconnected through chain drives acting on eccentrically journalled transfer pinions which are coupled together for simultaneous angular displacement and free to move laterally in a horizontal plane. The eccentricity is so arranged that for any steering angle of the vehicle, one steered wheel rotates through a given steering angle minus a small angle θ, and the other steered wheel rotates through the same steering angle plus a small angle θ, to provide differential steering for steering angles up to 180°.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen A. Breame
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:42
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D3/00; B62D3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
342 words
In a vehicle steering system comprising first and second ground engageable wheels supported for rotation about substantially horizontal axes; means mounting said wheels to said vehicle for angular displacement about respectively first and second substantially vertical axes spaced apart on said vehicle; and means interconnecting said wheels for simultaneous differential angular displacement about said vertical axes, said interconnecting means comprising a first sprocket wheel angularly displaceable about said first vertical axis with said first wheel, a second sprocket wheel angularly displaceable about said second vertical axis with said second wheel, a first transfer sprocket mounted to said vehicle between said first and second vertical axes for angular displacement about an eccentric vertical axis and for translation in a substantially horizontal plane, an endless chain interconnecting said first sprocket wheel and said first transfer sprocket for simultaneous angular displacement, a second transfer sprocket mounted to said vehicle between said first and second vertical axes about an eccentric vertical axis and for translation in a substantially horizontal plane, an endless chain interconnecting said second sprocket wheel and said second transfer sprocket for simultaneous angular displacement, and means coupling said first and second transfer sprockets together for simultaneous rotation and translation; the improvement comprising: chain tension adjustment means comprising a first arcuate guide member disposed between said first sprocket wheel and said first transfer sprocket and bearing against said first transfer sprocket, adjustable means acting on said first guide member urging said first transfer sprocket in a direction tending to increase the distance between said first sprocket wheel and said first transfer sprocket, a second arcuate guide member disposed between said second sprocket wheel and said second transfer sprocket and bearing against said second transfer sprocket, adjustable means acting on said second guide member urging said second transfer sprocket in a direction tending to increase the distance between said second sprocket wheel and said second transfer member, said means coupling said first and second transfer sprockets comprising a coupling assembly permitting relative lateral movement of the eccentric axes of said first and second transfer sprockets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
342 words
In a vehicle steering system comprising first and second ground engageable wheels supported for rotation about substantially horizontal axes; means mounting said wheels to said vehicle for angular displacement about respectively first and second substantially vertical axes spaced apart on said vehicle; and means interconnecting said wheels for simultaneous differential angular displacement about said vertical axes, said interconnecting means comprising a first sprocket wheel angularly displaceable about said first vertical axis with said first wheel, a second sprocket wheel angularly displaceable about said second vertical axis with said second wheel, a first transfer sprocket mounted to said vehicle between said first and second vertical axes for angular displacement about an eccentric vertical axis and for translation in a substantially horizontal plane, an endless chain interconnecting said first sprocket wheel and said first transfer sprocket for simultaneous angular displacement, a second transfer sprocket mounted to said vehicle between said first and second vertical axes about an eccentric vertical axis and for translation in a substantially horizontal plane, an endless chain interconnecting said second sprocket wheel and said second transfer sprocket for simultaneous angular displacement, and means coupling said first and second transfer sprockets together for simultaneous rotation and translation; the improvement comprising: chain tension adjustment means comprising a first arcuate guide member disposed between said first sprocket wheel and said first transfer sprocket and bearing against said first transfer sprocket, adjustable means acting on said first guide member urging said first transfer sprocket in a direction tending to increase the distance between said first sprocket wheel and said first transfer sprocket, a second arcuate guide member disposed between said second sprocket wheel and said second transfer sprocket and bearing against said second transfer sprocket, adjustable means acting on said second guide member urging said second transfer sprocket in a direction tending to increase the distance between said second sprocket wheel and said second transfer member, said means coupling said first and second transfer sprockets comprising a coupling assembly permitting relative lateral movement of the eccentric axes of said first and second transfer sprockets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including means for applying a force to one of said first and second ground engageable wheels in response to a steering signal for rotating said wheel about its vertical axis.
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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) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |