US4236728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for caster adjustment
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-11-13
•
Granted: 1980-12-02
•
Expires: 1998-11-13
Abstract
Abstract Each upper control arm of a conventional automotive vehicle is automatically incrementally pivotally locatable about the vertical axis to vary the caster of an attached wheel within a predetermined range from maximum positive caster to maximum negative caster in response to an input signal generated by the driver while the vehicle is in motion.
Inventors
- 👤 Jene A. Policy
- 👤 Peter A. Giuliano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:45
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D17/00; B60; B60G; B60G7/00; B60G7/02; B60G2200/00; B60G2200/10; B60G2200/14; B60G2200/144; B60G2200/40; B60G2200/464; B60G2202/00; B60G2202/40; B60G2202/41; B60G2202/413; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/10; B60G2204/14; B60G2204/143; B60G2204/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
Apparatus employed in combination with each front wheel of a vehicle for adjusting the angle of caster of the front wheel while the vehicle is in motion; said apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a control arm for supporting in part the knuckle spindle for the wheel; (b) means for repositioning said control arm to define the caster of the wheel at any angle between a predetermined maximum angle of positive caster and a predetermined maximum angle of negative caster, said repositioning means being attached to said control arm as a part thereof during normal operation of the vehicle; and (c) means for actuating said repositioning means under control of the driver irrespective of whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion; whereby, the angle of caster may be varied to suit changing road and driving conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus employed in combination with each front wheel of a vehicle for adjusting the angle of caster of the front wheel while the vehicle is in motion; said apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a control arm for supporting in part the knuckle spindle for the wheel; (b) means for repositioning said control arm to define the caster of the wheel at any angle between a predetermined maximum angle of positive caster and a predetermined maximum angle of negative caster, said repositioning means being attached to said control arm as a part thereof during normal operation of the vehicle; and (c) means for actuating said repositioning means under control of the driver irrespective of whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion; whereby, the angle of caster may be varied to suit changing road and driving conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said repositioning means comprises a hydraulic unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said hydraulic unit includes extendable and retractable plungers secured to said control arm for angularly reorienting said control arm about a vertical axis to change the caster angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said hydraulic unit includes a housing secured to the frame of the vehicle and said plungers translatably extend and retract from said housing in response to said actuating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said actuating means comprises a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and a valve means for selectively introducing hydraulic fluid under pressure to said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including means for locking said plungers in place to effect a fail safe mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said repositioning unit comprises an electrical unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said electrical unit comprises a pair of oppositely acting solenoids having armatures secured to said control arm for angularly restricting said control arm about a vertical axis to change the caster angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said actuating means comprises an electrical switch for energizing said solenoids.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 including means for locking said repositioning means in place to effect a fail safe mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said repositioning unit includes a gear train.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said repositioning unit includes a pair of oppositely translatable elements secured to said control arm for angularly reorienting said control arm about a vertical axis to change the caster angle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said actuating means includes means for operating said gear train.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 including means for locking said gear train in place to effect a fail safe mode.
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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) | 1983-12-02 | 1984-06-02 | 1984-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-02 | 1988-06-02 | 1988-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-02 | 1992-06-02 | 1992-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |