US5282644A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulically adjustable tie-rod for an agricultural vehicle with an adjustable axle
Assignee: AG Chem Equipment Co Inc
•
Filing: 1992-12-23
•
Granted: 1994-02-01
•
Expires: 2012-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A variable tie-rod assembly for a steering wheel structure of a row crop applicator. The tie-rod assembly can be adjusted and secured in any position between a minimum and maximum track setting. Thus, a selectively variable track width is provided. Toe-in settings are maintained by implementing a dual-cam arrangement with a locking pin to maintain the steering structure in a forward direction during track width adjustment procedures. The track width setting can be adjusted without the operator ever having to leave the cab of the row crop applicator, wherein the track width can be visually ascertained by observing indicia on the telescoping wheel structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger L. Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:40
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B35/00; B60B35/001; B60B35/003; B60B35/02; B60B35/10; B60B35/1036; B60B35/1054; B60B35/1072; B60B35/109; B62; B62D; B62D49/00; B62D49/06; B62D49/0678; B62D7/00; B62D7/20; B60B2310/00; B60B2310/30; B60B2310/302; B60Y; B60Y2200/00; B60Y2200/20; B60Y2200/22; B60Y2200/221; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S180/00; Y10S180/906; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2142; Y10T74/2151
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A vehicle, comprising: (a) a chassis; (b) a steerable axle assembly coupled to said chassis and having a variable steering position for steering said vehicle, said steerable axle assembly being extendable in a longitudinal direction between a first and second position; (c) tie-rod means coupled to said axle assembly for maintaining a toe-in relationship of said steerable axle assembly, said tie-rod means having means for adjusting a length of said tie-rod means in the longitudinal direction as said steerable axle assembly is extended from said first to said second position; (d) drive means coupled to said steerable axle assembly for extending said axle assembly in the longitudinal direction between said first and second position; and (e) locking means for selectively locking said steerable axle assembly in a fixed first steering position as said steerable axle assembly is extended.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A vehicle, comprising: (a) a chassis; (b) a steerable axle assembly coupled to said chassis and having a variable steering position for steering said vehicle, said steerable axle assembly being extendable in a longitudinal direction between a first and second position; (c) tie-rod means coupled to said axle assembly for maintaining a toe-in relationship of said steerable axle assembly, said tie-rod means having means for adjusting a length of said tie-rod means in the longitudinal direction as said steerable axle assembly is extended from said first to said second position; (d) drive means coupled to said steerable axle assembly for extending said axle assembly in the longitudinal direction between said first and second position; and (e) locking means for selectively locking said steerable axle assembly in a fixed first steering position as said steerable axle assembly is extended.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 1 wherein said tie-rod means comprises a first housing having a first and second member adjustably coupled thereto, one said member being disposed at each end of said first housing, wherein said adjusting means adjusts the extension of at least one said member relative to said first housing as said steerable axle assembly is extended from said first to said second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 2 wherein said first housing comprises a tubular member and each said first and second members comprises an extendable piston rod axially and slidably disposed therein such that extension of either said piston rod extends the length of said tie-rod means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 3 wherein said steerable axle assembly comprises a second tubular housing having a third and fourth member received in a telescoping arrangement therewithin, wherein said tubular member of said tie-rod means is secured to said second tubular housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 3 wherein said drive means is also coupled to said tie-rod means for imparting longitudinal movement of at least one of said piston rods within said tubular member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 5 wherein said drive means imparts longitudinal movement of at least one of said piston rods within said tubular member while concurrently extending said axle assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 2 wherein said adjusting means adjusts the extension of both said first and second members to a corresponding position as said steerable axle assembly is extended from said first to said second position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 1 wherein said drive means is comprised of a hydraulic drive arrangement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 1 wherein said locking means selectively locks said steerable axle assembly such that said vehicle is steered straight forward.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 1 further comprising control means for selectively controlling said locking means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 10 wherein said control means further comprises feedback means for indicating a status of said locking means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a pair of cams rotatable with respect to one another and coupled to said steerable axle assembly, each having an opening defined therethrough, and a set pin disposable through each said cam openings only when said steerable axle assembly is in said first steering position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 12 wherein said control means comprises a pneumatic cylinder attached to said set pin for selectively advancing said set pin into each said opening of each said cam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 12 wherein at least one said opening in said respective cams is eccentrically defined therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vehicle as specified in claim 12 wherein both said openings in said respective cams are eccentrically defined therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1967283A
Cited
US1974036A
Cited
US2173419A
Cited
US2393623A
Cited
US2646291A
Cited
US2863518A
Cited
US4039094A
Cited
US4079807A
Cited
US4120507A
Cited
US4449600A
Cited
JPS61220902A
Cited
JPH01257669A
Cited
US5039129A
Cited
US5121808A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-31 | 1997-08-02 | 1998-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-31 | 2001-08-02 | 2002-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-31 | 2005-08-02 | 2006-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |