US4465292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering of vehicles
Assignee: GKN Group Services Ltd
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Filing: 1982-06-08
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Granted: 1984-08-14
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Expires: 2002-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle with a chassis, a rigid axle carrying steerable wheels, a steering box or idler unit mounted on the chassis and connected by a linkage to the steerable wheels, wherein the steering box is pivotally mounted on the chassis about a horizontal fore and aft axis, and there is a compensating link connecting the axle and the steering box. When relative movement between the axle and chassis occurs, any component of such movement which could otherwise produce an undesired steering movement of the wheels, the steering box is caused to pivot by the compensating link so that no undesired steering movement of the wheels occurs.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy S. Fry
- 👤 Graham C. Cole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:00
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D7/00; B62D7/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A vehicle comprising a chassis, a rigid axle mounted relative thereto by suspension means and having steerable wheels at its ends, a steering control means mounted on the vehicle chassis and having a driver controllable input member and an output member, a track rod extending generally longitudinally of the axle and interconnecting the steerable wheels for controlling the relative steered positions thereof, a link extending generally transversely of the vehicle and pivotally connected to said output member of the steering control means and to the track rod in the central region thereof, wherein the steering control means is mounted on the chassis of the vehicle for angular movement about an axis lying generally fore and aft of the vehicle, with its output member spaced from such axis, and a compensating link extending substantially parallel to said link and connected to the steering control means and axle so that when relative movement between the axle and chassis occurs the steering control means is moved angularly about said axis in a sense such that no steering movement of the wheels is produced in consequence of said relative movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A vehicle comprising a chassis, a rigid axle mounted relative thereto by suspension means and having steerable wheels at its ends, a steering control means mounted on the vehicle chassis and having a driver controllable input member and an output member, a track rod extending generally longitudinally of the axle and interconnecting the steerable wheels for controlling the relative steered positions thereof, a link extending generally transversely of the vehicle and pivotally connected to said output member of the steering control means and to the track rod in the central region thereof, wherein the steering control means is mounted on the chassis of the vehicle for angular movement about an axis lying generally fore and aft of the vehicle, with its output member spaced from such axis, and a compensating link extending substantially parallel to said link and connected to the steering control means and axle so that when relative movement between the axle and chassis occurs the steering control means is moved angularly about said axis in a sense such that no steering movement of the wheels is produced in consequence of said relative movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said steering control means comprises an idler unit, having a longitudinally movable input member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said axle is supported at its centre by a joint permitting universal pivotal movement, and wherein, viewed in side elevation, the points of connection of said compensating link to the axle and of said first link to said track rod lie substantially equal distances on opposite sides of said joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said track rod is disposed within a hollow axle beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said steering control means comprises a steering box having a rotatable input member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said steering control means comprises an idler unit, having a longitudinally movable input member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said steering control means comprises a steering box having a rotatable input member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said track rod is disposed within a hollow axle beam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-08-14 | 1988-02-13 | 1988-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-14 | 1992-02-13 | 1992-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-14 | 1996-02-13 | 1996-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |