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US3712239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering mechanism
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1971-10-04
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1991-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A steering mechanism for a vehicle of a guided transportation system is disclosed. An axle for the vehicle has a central portion pivotably connected to supporting structure of the vehicle. The axle has vehicle wheels secured to opposite ends thereof and steering structures located adjacent associated vehicle wheels. The steering structures include front and back guide wheels for engaging a guide rail to direct the vehicle along the transportation system. The front and the back guide wheels are interconnected with a spring secured to the axle which acts to bias them into engagement with the guide rail. Structure is provided which permits the devices interconnecting the guide wheels and the spring to move relative to the associated vehicle wheel whereby the spring is loaded or unloaded depending upon the direction of movement. Any loading and unloading of the spring causes the axle to be pivoted about its connection with the vehicle support structure whereby the vehicle is steered. The steering mechanism also includes a deployable switching device for holding the guide wheel in contact with the associated guide rail when the switching device is deployed.
Inventors
- 👤 D Colovas
- 👤 J Logan
- 👤 R Skruch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:49
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/24; B62D1/26; B62D1/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
412 words
A steering mechanism for a vehicle of a guided transportation system, which steering mechanism comprises: vehicle support structure; an axle having a central portion pivotably connected to said vehicle support structure, said axle also having vehicle wheels secured to opposite ends thereof, said axle having a vehicle steering structure located on each side of said axle between said axle''s central portion and said associated vehicle wheel, each of said steering structures including (a) to (f); a. front and back guide wheel means for engaging a guide rail to direct the vehicle along the transportation system; b. spring means for applying a biasing force along said axle in a direction away from said axle''s central portion, said spring means secured at an intermediate portion thereof to a portion of said axle adjacent said axle''s central portion, said spring means having a first end and a second end respectively extending to a position in front of and a position in back of an associated wheel secured to said axle; c. first interconnecting means having a first end rotatably supporting said front guide wheel means and a second end pivotably connected to said front end of said spring means, said firSt interconnecting means for normally positioning said front guide wheel means at a position at least, in part, outwardly beyond said associated vehicle wheel; d. second interconnecting means having a first end rotatably supporting said back guide wheel means and a second end pivotably connected to said back end of said spring means, said second interconnecting means for normally positioning said back guide wheel means at a position at least, in part, outwardly beyond said associated vehicle wheel; e. first guide means associated with said first interconnecting means for permitting said first interconnecting means to move from its said normal position relative to said associated vehicle wheel to cause a loading or an unloading of said front end of said spring means in accordance with the direction of movement of said first interconnecting means; and f. second guide means associated with said second interconnecting means for permitting said second interconnecting means to move from its said normal position relative to said associated vehicle wheel to cause a loading or an unloading of said back end of said spring means in accordance with the direction of movement of said second interconnecting means, and a deployable switching means for holding said guide wheel means in contact with the associated guide rail when said switching means is deployed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
412 words
A steering mechanism for a vehicle of a guided transportation system, which steering mechanism comprises: vehicle support structure; an axle having a central portion pivotably connected to said vehicle support structure, said axle also having vehicle wheels secured to opposite ends thereof, said axle having a vehicle steering structure located on each side of said axle between said axle''s central portion and said associated vehicle wheel, each of said steering structures including (a) to (f); a. front and back guide wheel means for engaging a guide rail to direct the vehicle along the transportation system; b. spring means for applying a biasing force along said axle in a direction away from said axle''s central portion, said spring means secured at an intermediate portion thereof to a portion of said axle adjacent said axle''s central portion, said spring means having a first end and a second end respectively extending to a position in front of and a position in back of an associated wheel secured to said axle; c. first interconnecting means having a first end rotatably supporting said front guide wheel means and a second end pivotably connected to said front end of said spring means, said firSt interconnecting means for normally positioning said front guide wheel means at a position at least, in part, outwardly beyond said associated vehicle wheel; d. second interconnecting means having a first end rotatably supporting said back guide wheel means and a second end pivotably connected to said back end of said spring means, said second interconnecting means for normally positioning said back guide wheel means at a position at least, in part, outwardly beyond said associated vehicle wheel; e. first guide means associated with said first interconnecting means for permitting said first interconnecting means to move from its said normal position relative to said associated vehicle wheel to cause a loading or an unloading of said front end of said spring means in accordance with the direction of movement of said first interconnecting means; and f. second guide means associated with said second interconnecting means for permitting said second interconnecting means to move from its said normal position relative to said associated vehicle wheel to cause a loading or an unloading of said back end of said spring means in accordance with the direction of movement of said second interconnecting means, and a deployable switching means for holding said guide wheel means in contact with the associated guide rail when said switching means is deployed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The steering mechanism of claim 1 wherein: said spring means is a leaf spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The steering mechanism of claim 1 wherein: said first and said second interconnecting means are solid lever arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The steering mechanism of claim 3 wherein: said first and said second guide means are solid lever arms which are respectively secured at one end to an intermediate portion of said first and said second interconnecting means and at the other end secured to said axle at a position adjacent said associated vehicle wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
428 words
A steering mechanism for a vehicle of a guided transportation system, which steering mechanism comprises: vehicle support structure; an axle having a central portion pivotably connected to said vehicle support structure, said axle also having vehicle wheels secured to opposite ends thereof, said axle also having a vehicle steering structure located on each side of said axle between said axle''s central portion and said associated vehicle wheel, each of said steering structures including (a) to (f); a. front and back guide wheel means for engaging a guide rail to direct the vehicle along the transportation system; b. spring means for applying a biasing force along said axle in a direction away from said axle''s central portion, said spring means secured at an intermediate portion thereof to a portion of said axle adjacent said axle''s central portion, said spring means having a first end and a second end respectively extending to a position in front of and to a position in back of an associated vehicle wheel secured to said axle; c. a first lever arm having two ends, one end of said first lever arm being rotatably secured to said front guide wheel means and the other end of said first arm being pivotably connected to said front end of said spring means, said first lever arm being of sufficient length that said front guide wheel means extends, at least in part, outwardly beyond said vehicle wheel; d. a second lever arm having two ends, one end of said second lever arm being rotatably secured to said back guide wheel means and the other end of said second lever arm being pivotably connected to said back end of said spring means, said second lever arm being of sufficient length that said back guide wheel means extends, at least in part, outwardly beyond said associated vehicle wheel; e. a third lever arm having two ends, one end of said third lever arm being pivotably secured to an intermediate portion of said first lever arm and the other end of said third lever arm being pivotably connected to said axle adjacent said associated vehicle wheel secured thEreto; and f. a fourth lever arm having two ends, one end of said fourth lever arm being pivotably secured to an intermediate portion of said second lever arm and the other end of said fourth lever arm being pivotably connected to said axle adjacent said vehicle wheel secured thereto; and a deployable switching means for holding said guide wheel means in contact with the associated guide rail when said switching means is deployed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
428 words
A steering mechanism for a vehicle of a guided transportation system, which steering mechanism comprises: vehicle support structure; an axle having a central portion pivotably connected to said vehicle support structure, said axle also having vehicle wheels secured to opposite ends thereof, said axle also having a vehicle steering structure located on each side of said axle between said axle''s central portion and said associated vehicle wheel, each of said steering structures including (a) to (f); a. front and back guide wheel means for engaging a guide rail to direct the vehicle along the transportation system; b. spring means for applying a biasing force along said axle in a direction away from said axle''s central portion, said spring means secured at an intermediate portion thereof to a portion of said axle adjacent said axle''s central portion, said spring means having a first end and a second end respectively extending to a position in front of and to a position in back of an associated vehicle wheel secured to said axle; c. a first lever arm having two ends, one end of said first lever arm being rotatably secured to said front guide wheel means and the other end of said first arm being pivotably connected to said front end of said spring means, said first lever arm being of sufficient length that said front guide wheel means extends, at least in part, outwardly beyond said vehicle wheel; d. a second lever arm having two ends, one end of said second lever arm being rotatably secured to said back guide wheel means and the other end of said second lever arm being pivotably connected to said back end of said spring means, said second lever arm being of sufficient length that said back guide wheel means extends, at least in part, outwardly beyond said associated vehicle wheel; e. a third lever arm having two ends, one end of said third lever arm being pivotably secured to an intermediate portion of said first lever arm and the other end of said third lever arm being pivotably connected to said axle adjacent said associated vehicle wheel secured thEreto; and f. a fourth lever arm having two ends, one end of said fourth lever arm being pivotably secured to an intermediate portion of said second lever arm and the other end of said fourth lever arm being pivotably connected to said axle adjacent said vehicle wheel secured thereto; and a deployable switching means for holding said guide wheel means in contact with the associated guide rail when said switching means is deployed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The steering mechanism of claim 5 wherein: said spring means is a leaf spring.
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) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |