Steering assist member

A system for centering and stabilizing a set of turning wheels of a vehicle, wherein the system comprises:

• a steering linkage member that is configured and arranged to provide a steering motion to a set of steerable wheels;
• and
• a steering assist member that includes one end operatively attached to a first portion of said steering linkage member and another end attached to a second portion of the vehicle, wherein when the set of steerable wheels are displaced from a straight ahead driving position, a distance between the first portion of said steering linkage member and said second portion of the vehicle changes;
• wherein said steering assist member comprises:
• a first section configured and arranged to produce a pulling force along a longitudinal axis thereof, wherein said first section extends between two longitudinal ends that are defined as a first proximal end and a first distal end;
• a second section configured and arranged to produce a pushing force along a longitudinal axis thereof, wherein said second section extends between two longitudinal ends that are defined as a second proximal end and a second distal end;
• and
• connecting means configured and arranged to connect the first proximal end to the second proximal end such that the longitudinal axis of the first section is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second section.

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle frame;
• a pair of wheel hubs configured and arranged to be turned with respect to the vehicle frame, wherein said pair of wheel hubs are defined as a left wheel hub and a right wheel hub;
• a right steering knuckle operatively connected to the right wheel hub, wherein said right wheel hub is configured and arranged to rotate with respect to the right steering knuckle;
• a left steering knuckle operatively connected to the left wheel hub, wherein said left wheel hub is configured and arranged to rotate with respect to the left steering knuckle;
• a right outer tie rod operatively connected to said right steering knuckle via a right tie rod end;
• a left outer tie rod operatively connected to said left steering knuckle via a left tie rod end;
• a center link operatively connected to both said right outer tie rod and said left outer tie rod;
• and
• a steering assist member having a first end connected to said vehicle frame and a second end securely connected to said center link, wherein said steering assist member provides a predetermined maximum return-to-center force, and further wherein at least two thirds of the predetermined maximum return-to-center force is applied when said steering assist member is displaced along its central axis by 2 mm.