Patent US4109748A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4109748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Steering apparatus
Assignee: Caterpillar Industrial Inc
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Filing: 1977-02-28
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Granted: 1978-08-29
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Expires: 1997-02-28
Abstract
Abstract Steering apparatus is provided for a vehicle which has a steering axle assembly which is movable between a first position at which the turning radius in a first direction of the vehicle is at a preselected minimum value, a second position at which the turning radius of the vehicle is infinite, and a third position at which the turning radius in a second direction of the vehicle is at a preselected minimum value. The second position is intermediate the first and third positions. The steering apparatus controls the turning radius of the vehicle in response to a predetermined operational rate by automatically restricting the movement of the steering axle assembly towards the first and third positions while leaving the steering axle assembly free for movement towards the second position.
Inventors
- 👤 Dafydd W. Evans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:05
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
Steering override apparatus for a vehicle having a steering axle assembly movable between a first position at which the turning radius in a first direction of said vehicle is at a preselected minimum value, a second position at which the turning radius of said vehicle is infinite, and a third position at which the turning radius in a second direction of said vehicle is at a preselected minimum value, said second position being intermediate said first and third positions comprising: means for controlling the turning radius of said vehicle in response to a predetermined operational rate by automatically restricting the movement of said steering axle assembly towards said first and third positions while leaving said steering axle assembly free for movement towards said second position, said control means including a double acting cylinder having an actuator arm and left and right chamber portions and being pivotally connected to said steering axle assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
Steering override apparatus for a vehicle having a steering axle assembly movable between a first position at which the turning radius in a first direction of said vehicle is at a preselected minimum value, a second position at which the turning radius of said vehicle is infinite, and a third position at which the turning radius in a second direction of said vehicle is at a preselected minimum value, said second position being intermediate said first and third positions comprising: means for controlling the turning radius of said vehicle in response to a predetermined operational rate by automatically restricting the movement of said steering axle assembly towards said first and third positions while leaving said steering axle assembly free for movement towards said second position, said control means including a double acting cylinder having an actuator arm and left and right chamber portions and being pivotally connected to said steering axle assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control means includes a source of pressurized fluid, a left solenoid valve in fluid communication with said left chamber portion of said power steering cylinder and said source of pressurized fluid, and a right solenoid valve in fluid communication with said right chamber portion of said steering cylinder and said source of pressurized fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, including left and right check valves connected in parallel with respective left and right solenoid valves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said left and right solenoid valves form a unitary structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said unitary structure has a single self-centering stem.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, including left and right turn switches connected to said steering axle assembly and connected in series with respective left and right solenoid valves, said solenoid valves being connected electrically one to the other in parallel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, including a first switch associated with means responsive to the operational speed of said vehicle and being connected to said left and right solenoid valves and in series with both left and right turn switches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the vehicle has an engine and a second switch associated with means responsive to the operational speed of said engine, said second switch being connected to said left and right solenoid valves and in series with both left and right turn switches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the vehicle has a transmission and a third switch associated with means responsive to the operational speed of said transmission, said third switch being connected to said left and right solenoid valves and in series with both left and right turn switches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, including an override switch connected to said left and right solenoid valves and being in series with both left and right turn switches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
144 words
Steering override apparatus for a vehicle having a steering axle assembly movable between a first position at which the turning radius in a first direction of said vehicle is at a preselected minimum value, a second position at which the turning radius of said vehicle is infinite, and a third position at which the turning radius in a second direction of said vehicle is at a preselected minimum value, said second position being intermediate said first and third positions comprising: means for controlling the turning radius of said vehicle in response to a predetermined operational rate by automatically restricting the movement of said steering axle assembly towards said first and third positions while leaving said steering axle assembly free for movement towards said second position, said control means including left and right motion limiters positioned for selective abutting engagement with said steering axle assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
144 words
Steering override apparatus for a vehicle having a steering axle assembly movable between a first position at which the turning radius in a first direction of said vehicle is at a preselected minimum value, a second position at which the turning radius of said vehicle is infinite, and a third position at which the turning radius in a second direction of said vehicle is at a preselected minimum value, said second position being intermediate said first and third positions comprising: means for controlling the turning radius of said vehicle in response to a predetermined operational rate by automatically restricting the movement of said steering axle assembly towards said first and third positions while leaving said steering axle assembly free for movement towards said second position, said control means including left and right motion limiters positioned for selective abutting engagement with said steering axle assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 11, including left and right turn switches connected in series with respective left and right motion limiters, said motion limiters being connected one to the other in parallel.
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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) | 1981-08-28 | 1982-02-27 | 1982-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-28 | 1986-02-27 | 1986-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-28 | 1990-02-27 | 1990-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |