Abstract A vehicle is shown with spaced pairs of coaxial torque rods at right angles to its longitudinal axis and located forwardly of the front wheels and rear wheels. The outer ends of the front rods carry respective arms connected to the front wheels, and the outer ends of the other rods carry arms that are connected to the rear wheels. The opposed ends of each pair of rods carry segment gears which mesh with respective gears of a gear box. For the front wheels, the torque rods are operated through the gear box from the steering wheel. The torque rods for the back wheels are operable via arms that are linked by a rod and which are operatively connected to the respective gear boxes. When the steering wheel is turned so the vehicle negotiates a curve, the torque rods are operated in directions to tilt or lean the chassis and wheels inwardly so as to offset the outward sway and leaning that occurs due to the centrifugal force. The angle of the turn is controlled through the front gear box via a shaft connected to one of the gears and to which are connected the inner ends of steering rod links. The weight of the vehicle is distributed on all four wheels at all times.
In a vehicle having a frame, front and rear pairs of rOad wheels, steering means operably connected to the front wheels, and a steering wheel, the wheels of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the frame, stabilizing means for operation by the steering wheel comprising: first and second pairs of coaxial torque rods extending across said frame; respective arms secured to the outer ends of said torque rods, each of said arms being attached to a respective one of said wheels; first gear means coupling the inner ends of the rods of said first pair and operable by the steering wheel, including a first pair of spaced gears on a horizontal axis; a first shaft fixed to one and slidably extending through the other of said first pair of gears; a steering arm attached to said shaft and operably connected to said steering means; gears carried on the inner ends of said first pair of rods in mesh with a respective one of said first pair of gears; a first gear on a vertical axis operably coupled to the steering wheel and meshing with both gears of said pair; a second gear means coupling the inner ends of the rods of said second pair, including a second pair of spaced gears on a horizontal axis; a second shaft fixed to one and slidably extending through the other of said second pair of gears; gears carried on the inner ends of said second pair of rods in mesh with a respective one of said second pair of gears; a second gear on a vertical axis meshing with both gears of said second pair; and linkage means coupling the vertical axis gears of both gear means, said first and second gear means being operable so that when said steering wheel is turned, the torque rods and arms cooperate to tilt the frame inwardly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
317 words
In a vehicle having a frame, front and rear pairs of rOad wheels, steering means operably connected to the front wheels, and a steering wheel, the wheels of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the frame, stabilizing means for operation by the steering wheel comprising: first and second pairs of coaxial torque rods extending across said frame; respective arms secured to the outer ends of said torque rods, each of said arms being attached to a respective one of said wheels; first gear means coupling the inner ends of the rods of said first pair and operable by the steering wheel, including a first pair of spaced gears on a horizontal axis; a first shaft fixed to one and slidably extending through the other of said first pair of gears; a steering arm attached to said shaft and operably connected to said steering means; gears carried on the inner ends of said first pair of rods in mesh with a respective one of said first pair of gears; a first gear on a vertical axis operably coupled to the steering wheel and meshing with both gears of said pair; a second gear means coupling the inner ends of the rods of said second pair, including a second pair of spaced gears on a horizontal axis; a second shaft fixed to one and slidably extending through the other of said second pair of gears; gears carried on the inner ends of said second pair of rods in mesh with a respective one of said second pair of gears; a second gear on a vertical axis meshing with both gears of said second pair; and linkage means coupling the vertical axis gears of both gear means, said first and second gear means being operable so that when said steering wheel is turned, the torque rods and arms cooperate to tilt the frame inwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein each gear means includes a further gear on a vertical axis meshing with both horizontal axis gears; a respective arm fixed at one end to said further gears; and an elongated rod pivotally linked at its ends to the remaining ends of said gear-connected arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein each torque rod has opposed segment gears meshing with respective ones of the associated horizontal axis gears.