Utility machine with dual-mode steering
First Claim
1. An apparatus for transporting carts comprising:
- a machine body;
a steering control arranged on the body;
a steering pedestal pivotally arranged with respect to the body;
at least one caster;
a hitch positioned on the body opposite said steering pedestal and adapted to engage a cart; and
a selection mechanism the selection mechanism adapted to be selectively coupleable between the body and the steering pedestal providing for a caster mode and a steering mode respectively, wherein in steering mode, the steering pedestal is operably coupled to the caster such that a change in the pivotal direction of the steering pedestal relative to the machine body causes a substantially corresponding change in the pivotal direction of the at least one caster relative to the machine body, wherein the selection mechanism further comprises a pivoting selector pivotally positionable between a body engaging position and a pedestal engaging position, wherein the body further comprises a fixing element, the fixing element being engageable with the pivoting selector in a body engaging position, wherein the fixing element further comprises a turn center plate, wherein the turn center plate further comprises a centering notch, wherein the pivoting selector includes a body engagement feature adapted to engage the fixing element,wherein the body engagement feature includes a stepped feature adapted to engage the centering notch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for transporting carts including a machine body, a steering control arranged on the body, a steering pedestal pivotally arranged with respect to the body, and a selection mechanism adapted to be selectively coupleable between the body and the steering pedestal providing for a caster mode and a steering mode respectively. A method of using a dual mode utility machine including depressing a first lever thereby engaging a pivoting selector into a steering pedestal engaging position and controlling the direction of the machine by rotatably manipulating a tiller, and depressing a second lever thereby disengaging the pivoting selector from a steering pedestal engaging position to a body engaging position and controlling the direction of the machine by pushing and/or pulling a machine from side to side via a fixed tiller.
150 Citations
7 Claims
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1. An apparatus for transporting carts comprising:
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a machine body; a steering control arranged on the body; a steering pedestal pivotally arranged with respect to the body; at least one caster; a hitch positioned on the body opposite said steering pedestal and adapted to engage a cart; and a selection mechanism the selection mechanism adapted to be selectively coupleable between the body and the steering pedestal providing for a caster mode and a steering mode respectively, wherein in steering mode, the steering pedestal is operably coupled to the caster such that a change in the pivotal direction of the steering pedestal relative to the machine body causes a substantially corresponding change in the pivotal direction of the at least one caster relative to the machine body, wherein the selection mechanism further comprises a pivoting selector pivotally positionable between a body engaging position and a pedestal engaging position, wherein the body further comprises a fixing element, the fixing element being engageable with the pivoting selector in a body engaging position, wherein the fixing element further comprises a turn center plate, wherein the turn center plate further comprises a centering notch, wherein the pivoting selector includes a body engagement feature adapted to engage the fixing element, wherein the body engagement feature includes a stepped feature adapted to engage the centering notch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification