US4369851A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transmission system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-10-23
•
Granted: 1983-01-25
•
Expires: 2000-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A vehicular control system utilizes a combination of drive mechanisms to provide a simple and inexpensive drive and steering system. A power unit is connected by sheaves and belts to drive a first drive shaft. A second driven shaft has independent portions coupled to wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle. The coupling of power to the wheels is accomplished in a first mode by engaging a belt between pulleys on the drive and driven shafts to provide drive control of the vehicle in a first direction. However, by simply reversing drive control levers, a second mode of coupling is selected that engages frictional drums on each of the drive and driven shafts in a direct drive relation that causes rotation of the driven shaft portions in an opposite direction to that of the first mode to operate the vehicle in an opposite direction. By pushing drive control levers in opposite directions the independent portions of the driven shaft are rotated in opposite directions to thereby rotate wheels on opposed sides of the vehicle in opposite directions. Thus, power is utilized by wheels on both sides of the vehicle simultaneously but in opposite directions to more positively steer the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph D. LaBorde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:47
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D11/00; B62D11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
A vehicle in which driving power is applied separately to opposite sides of the vehicle including: a frame; an engine mounted on said frame; left and right traction means on opposite sides of said frame; a rotatable drive means operatively connected to said engine and rotated thereby, said drive means having a power transmission system mounted thereon for rotation therewith; a left rotatable driven means operatively connected to said left traction means; a right rotatable driven means operatively connected to said right traction means; a left control means having first and second transmission means arranged for power connection with said transmission system of said drive means and operatively connected to said left driven means for rotating said left driven means in respective opposite directions, said left control means being mounted for movement with respect to said frame between a first position operatively connecting said first transmission means and disconnecting said second transmission means with said transmission system of said drive means and a second position connecting said second transmission means and disconnecting said first transmision means with said transmission system of said drive means; a right control means having first and second transmission means arranged for power connection with said transmission system of said drive means and operatively connected to said right driven means for rotating said right driven means in respective opposite directions, said right control means being mounted for movement independently of said left control means and with respect to said frame between a first position operatively connecting said first transmission means and disconnecting said second transmission means with said transmission system of said drive means and a second position connecting said second transmission means and disconnecting said first transmission means with said transmission system of said drive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
291 words
A vehicle in which driving power is applied separately to opposite sides of the vehicle including: a frame; an engine mounted on said frame; left and right traction means on opposite sides of said frame; a rotatable drive means operatively connected to said engine and rotated thereby, said drive means having a power transmission system mounted thereon for rotation therewith; a left rotatable driven means operatively connected to said left traction means; a right rotatable driven means operatively connected to said right traction means; a left control means having first and second transmission means arranged for power connection with said transmission system of said drive means and operatively connected to said left driven means for rotating said left driven means in respective opposite directions, said left control means being mounted for movement with respect to said frame between a first position operatively connecting said first transmission means and disconnecting said second transmission means with said transmission system of said drive means and a second position connecting said second transmission means and disconnecting said first transmision means with said transmission system of said drive means; a right control means having first and second transmission means arranged for power connection with said transmission system of said drive means and operatively connected to said right driven means for rotating said right driven means in respective opposite directions, said right control means being mounted for movement independently of said left control means and with respect to said frame between a first position operatively connecting said first transmission means and disconnecting said second transmission means with said transmission system of said drive means and a second position connecting said second transmission means and disconnecting said first transmission means with said transmission system of said drive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
116 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the first and second transmission means of each of said control means comprise respective first and second rotatable transmission members, each such first rotatable transmission member being directly connectable to the transmission system of said drive means for rotation in a first direction, and each such second rotatable transmission member being connectable to the transmission system of said drive means by means of a flexible closed loop for rotation in a second direction opposite said first direction; and wherein such movement of each of said control means between its first and second positions effects movement of the respective first and second transmission members toward and away from said drive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The vehicle of claim 2 wherein each of said first rotatable transmission members of said control means is a drum, and wherein the transmission system of said drive means comprises drum means arranged for engagement with said drums of said control means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of said second rotatable transmission members of said control means is a pulley, and wherein said transmission system of said drive means comprises left and right pulleys respectively connected to the pulleys of said left and right control means by said loops.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The vehicle of claim 2 wherein said drive means comprises a drive shaft; wherein each of said control means comprises a respective control shaft generally parallel to said drive shaft; wherein each of said rotatable transmission members is mounted on the respective one of said control shafts for joint rotation therewith; and wherein each control shaft is mounted on a pivot axis generally transverse to said control shaft for said movement between said first and second positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The vehicle of claim 5 wherein each of said control means further comprises a linking element on said control shaft on the opposite side of said pivot axis from said rotatable transmission members for connection to the respective driven means, said first and second rotatable transmission members being spaced along said control shaft from said pivot axis by a greater distance than said linking element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The vehicle of claim 6 further including left and right operator levers movably mounted on said frame and connected respectively to said left and right control means, each on the same side of the respective pivot axis as the respective transmission members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3235019A
Cited
US3444837A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-24 | 1986-07-26 | 1987-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-24 | 1990-07-26 | 1991-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-24 | 1994-07-26 | 1995-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |