Patent US4792007A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4792007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanism for steering front and rear wheels of four-wheel vehicle
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-08-24
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Granted: 1988-12-20
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Expires: 2007-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for steering the front and rear wheels of a four-wheel-steerable vehicle includes a front wheel steering device operatively coupled to a steering wheel and having at least a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism having a nonlinear gear ratio, a rear wheel steering device, a linkage shaft operatively connecting the front wheel steering device and the rear wheel steering device to each other, and at least one steering force assisting device disposed in a steering force transmitting path comprising the front wheel steering device, the rear wheel steering device, and the linkage shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaru Abe
- 👤 Masami Ogura
- 👤 Tsuyoshi Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:22
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D7/00; B62D7/06; B62D7/14; B62D7/15; B62D7/1518; B62D7/1527; B62D7/1545
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A mechanism for steering the front and rear wheels of a four-wheel-steerable vehicle, comprising: a front wheel steering device operatively coupled to a steering wheel and having at least a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism having a nonlinear gear ratio which improves vehicle maneuverability; a rear wheel steering device; a linkage shaft operatively connecting said front wheel steering device and said rear wheel steering device to each other; and at least one steering force assisting device disposed in a steering force transmitting path comprising said front wheel steering device, said rear wheel steering device, and said linkage shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A mechanism for steering the front and rear wheels of a four-wheel-steerable vehicle, comprising: a front wheel steering device operatively coupled to a steering wheel and having at least a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism having a nonlinear gear ratio which improves vehicle maneuverability; a rear wheel steering device; a linkage shaft operatively connecting said front wheel steering device and said rear wheel steering device to each other; and at least one steering force assisting device disposed in a steering force transmitting path comprising said front wheel steering device, said rear wheel steering device, and said linkage shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said steering force assisting device is combined with said front wheel steering device for assisting a steering force to turn front wheels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
A mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said front wheel steering device comprises: a front wheel gearbox; a steering shaft rotatably supported in said front wheel gearbox and having an end end coupled to a steering wheel and an opposite end having a first pinion; a rotation output shaft rotatably supported in said front wheel gearbox and having an end end coupled to said linkage shaft and an opposite end having a second pinion; and a rack shaft slidably supported in said front wheel gearbox and including a first rack meshing with said first pinion and having a nonlinear gear pitch and a second rack meshing with said second pinion, said rack shaft being longitudinally movable through said first pinion and said first rack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said steering power assisting device comprises: a power cylinder disposed in said front wheel gearbox; a piston slidably fitted in said power cylinder and mounted on said rack shaft; and an oil pump mechanism communicating with said power cylinder for controlling oil supply thereto in response to rotation of said steering shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said rear wheel steering device comprises: a rear wheel gearbox; a rotation input shaft rotatably supported in said rear wheel gearbox and having an end coupled to an end of said linkage shaft and an opposite end having an eccentric shaft; and a joint rod slidably supported in said rear wheel gearbox and having a slider having a groove in which an end of said eccentric shaft slidably rides, said joint rod being longitudinally movable through said eccentric shaft and said groove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said at least one steering force assisting device is disposed in a steering force transmitting path comprising said linkage shaft and said rear wheel steering device for assisting a steering force to turn rear wheels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A mechanism according to claim 6, further including a second steering force assisting device combined with said front wheel steering device for assisting a steering force to turn front wheels.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-20 | 1992-06-20 | 1992-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-20 | 1996-06-20 | 1996-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-20 | 2000-06-20 | 2000-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |