Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
In a vehicle defining a longitudinal axis and a lateral direction perpendicular thereto, a steering mechanism for a pair of transversely aligned vehicle-supporting wheels turnable about substantially vertical axes linked together for movement by hydraulic power means, said mechanism including: at least one steering guidance member positioned to contact the guide surface laterally adjacent the vehicle, said at least one steering guidance member mounted on said vehicle for movement relative thereto; linkage means including lost-motion means, having a resilient member and including an elongated slot connecting said at least one steering guidance member with said wheels to cause said wheels to move about a generally vertical axis upon relative lateral movement between said at least one steering guidance member and said vehicle; and means for selectively rendering said hydraulic power means inoperative whereby turning of said wheels is accomplished by at least one steering guidance member through said linkage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a vehicle defining a longitudinal axis and a lateral direction perpendicular thereto, a steering mechanism for a pair of transversely aligned vehicle-supporting wheels turnable about substantially vertical axes linked together for movement by hydraulic power means, said mechanism including: at least one steering guidance member positioned to contact the guide surface laterally adjacent the vehicle, said at least one steering guidance member mounted on said vehicle for movement relative thereto; linkage means including lost-motion means, having a resilient member and including an elongated slot connecting said at least one steering guidance member with said wheels to cause said wheels to move about a generally vertical axis upon relative lateral movement between said at least one steering guidance member and said vehicle; and means for selectively rendering said hydraulic power means inoperative whereby turning of said wheels is accomplished by at least one steering guidance member through said linkage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said wheels are turnable on king pins and wherein said linkage includes an arm extending therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said linkage means further includes an input member pivotal about a first axis, and wherein said input member is connected to said guidance member for movement therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said linkage means further includes an output member pivotal about a second axis connected to said wheels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said input member is connected to said output member by the lost motion means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein the lost-motion means further comprises a first link means pivotally connected to a second link means through said elongated slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said hydraulic power means is a hydraulic cylinder and wherein said means for rendering said hydraulic power means inoperative comprises control valve means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said control valve means include conduits for selective intercommunication of opposite ends of said hydraulic cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
140 words
The invention of claim 1 further including a second pair of transversely aligned vehicle-supporting wheels turnable about a generally vertical axis and linked together by second hydraulic power means and including: a second steering guidance member positioned to contact the guide surface adjacent the vehicle, said second steering guidance member mounted on said vehicle for movement relative thereto; second linkage means including lost-motion means having a resilient member and including an elongated slot connecting said second steering guidance member with said second pair of wheels to cause said second pair of wheels to move about a vertical axis upon relative movement between said second guidance member and said vehicle; and means for rendering said second hydraulic power means inoperative whereby turning of said second pair of wheels is accomplished by said second steering guidance member through said second linkage means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the number of guidance members is two, and wherein said guidance members are positioned on laterally opposite sides of said vehicle and positioned to contact guide surfaces laterally adjacent to the vehicle, and wherein said linkage means connects a respective one of said guidance members with a respective one of said pair of wheels.