Adjustable steering systems and methods
AssigneeNilfisk A/S
InventorAustin Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steering adjustment assembly for use with a floor treatment machine. The steering adjustment assembly includes first and second lock/release devices (e.g., variable gas springs) that selectively permit adjustment of a tilt angle and/or telescoped position of a steering component relative to a chassis of the machine. An actuator is operable by an operator to simultaneously transition the lock/release devices from a locked state to a released state when the operator desires to adjust the steering component's orientation and/or position.
Claims20
A steering adjustment assembly for use with a steering system of a floor treatment machine, the steering system including a steering component, the steering adjustment assembly comprising:
- a tilt sub-assembly configured to control a tilt angle of the steering component relative a chassis of the floor treatment machine, the tilt sub-assembly including a first frame and a first lock/release device;
- wherein the first lock/release device provides a locked state in which a rotational orientation of the first frame is fixed and a released state in which the rotational orientation is adjustable;
- a telescoping sub-assembly configured to control a distance between the steering component and the chassis, the telescoping sub-assembly including a second frame, a second lock/release device, and a coupling device configured to slidably maintain the second frame;
- wherein the second lock/release device provides a locked state in which a linear distance between the second frame and the chassis is fixed and a released state in which the linear distance is adjustable;
- and
- a control sub-assembly operably connecting an actuator to the first and second lock/release devices;
- wherein the control sub-assembly is configured to simultaneously transition the first and second lock/release devices to the corresponding released state in response to user manipulation of the actuator;
- and further wherein one of the first and second frames is connected to the chassis of the floor treatment machine and the other of the first and second frames supports the steering component.
A floor treatment machine comprising:
- a chassis;
- at least one steered wheel rotatably coupled to the chassis;
- at least one floor treating implement carried by the chassis;
- and
- a steering system operable to steer the floor treatment machine, the steering system including:
- a steering component,
- a steering transmission assembly configured to translate movements of the steering component to the at least one steered wheel,
- a steering adjustment assembly supporting the steering component relative to the chassis, the steering adjustment assembly comprising:
- a tilt sub-assembly configured to control a tilt angle of the steering component relative the chassis, the tilt sub-assembly including a first frame and a first lock/release device,
- wherein the first lock/release device provides a locked state in which a rotational orientation of the first frame is fixed and a released state in which the rotational orientation is adjustable,
- a telescoping sub-assembly configured to control a distance between the steering component and the chassis, the telescoping sub-assembly including a second frame, a second lock/release device, and a coupling device configured to slidably maintain the second frame,
- wherein the second lock/release device provides a locked state in which a linear distance between the second frame and the chassis is fixed and a released state in which the linear distance is adjustable, and
- a control sub-assembly operably connecting an actuator to the first and second lock/release devices,
- wherein the control sub-assembly is configured to simultaneously transition the first and second lock/release devices to the corresponding released state in response to user manipulation of the actuator,
- and further wherein one of the first and second frames is connected to the chassis of the floor treatment machine and the other of the first and second frames supports the steering component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.