Front to rear steering system mechanical linkage assembly
First Claim
1. A mechanical linkage assembly for a multiple-axle vehicle having a front and a rear steering system for respectively steering front and rear wheels of said vehicle, the front steering system being responsive to a steering signal from an operator of said vehicle, the mechanical linkage assembly comprising:
- a front linkage gear mechanism having a rotatable shaft. a pivotable arm operationally connected to the front steering system for receiving the steering signal therefrom, and a gear arrangement transforming a pivoting of said pivotable arm into a rotation of said rotatable shaft;
a rear linkage gear mechanism having a rotatable shaft, a pivotable arm operationally connected to the rear steering system for transmitting the steering signal thereto and a gear arrangement transforming a rotation of said rotatable shaft into a pivoting of said pivotable arm; and
mechanical connecting means operationally connecting the rotatable shafts of the front and rear linkage gear mechanisms.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanical linkage assembly for a multiple-axle vehicle is provided, this vehicle having both front and rear wheels steering systems. The linkage assembly includes a front linkage gear mechanism connected to the front steering system and transforming the steering movement therefrom into a rotation movement, and a rear linkage gear mechanism connected to the rear steering system and transforming this rotation movement into a rear wheels steering movement. A shaft or other connecting component connects the front and rear linkage gears mechanism to transmit the rotation movement therebetween. Independent hydraulic control of the front and rear steering gears may also advantageously be provided.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A mechanical linkage assembly for a multiple-axle vehicle having a front and a rear steering system for respectively steering front and rear wheels of said vehicle, the front steering system being responsive to a steering signal from an operator of said vehicle, the mechanical linkage assembly comprising:
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a front linkage gear mechanism having a rotatable shaft. a pivotable arm operationally connected to the front steering system for receiving the steering signal therefrom, and a gear arrangement transforming a pivoting of said pivotable arm into a rotation of said rotatable shaft;
a rear linkage gear mechanism having a rotatable shaft, a pivotable arm operationally connected to the rear steering system for transmitting the steering signal thereto and a gear arrangement transforming a rotation of said rotatable shaft into a pivoting of said pivotable arm; and
mechanical connecting means operationally connecting the rotatable shafts of the front and rear linkage gear mechanisms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A steering arrangement for jointly steering front and rear wheels of a multiple-axle vehicle, comprising:
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a front steering system steering said front wheels of the vehicle and responsive to a steering signal from an operator of said vehicle;
a mechanical linkage assembly comprising;
a front linkage gear mechanism having a rotatable shaft, a pivotable arm operationally connected to the front steering system for receiving the steering signal therefrom, and a gear arrangement transforming a pivoting of said pivotable arm into a rotation of said rotatable shaft;
a rear linkage gear mechanism having a rotatable shaft, a pivotable arm and a gear arrangement transforming a rotation of said rotatable shaft into a pivoting of said pivotable arm,; and
mechanical connecting means operationally connecting the rotatable shafts of the front and rear gear mechanisms; and
a rear steering system steering said rear wheels of the vehicle and connected to the pivotable arm of the rear linkage gear mechanism for receiving said steering signal therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for providing a multiple-axle vehicle with joint steering of front and rear wheels thereof, said vehicle having a front steering system steering said front wheels and responsive to a steering signal from an operator of said vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing said vehicle with a rear steering system steering said rear wheels of the vehicle;
b) providing said vehicle with a mechanical linkage assembly comprising;
a front linkage gear mechanism having a rotatable shaft, a pivotable arm, and a gear arrangement transforming a pivoting of said pivotable arm into a rotation of said rotatable shaft;
a rear linkage gear mechanism having a rotatable shaft, a pivotable arm, and a gear arrangement transforming a rotation of said rotatable shaft into a pivoting of said pivotable arm; and
mechanical connecting means operationally connecting the rotatable shafts of the front and rear linkage gear mechanisms;
c) operationally connecting the pivotable arm of the front linkage gear mechanism to the front steering system for receiving the steering signal therefrom; and
d) operationally connecting the pivotable arm of the rear linkage gear mechanism to the rear steering system for transmitting the steering signal thereto. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification