Variable wheelbase length steering linkage
AssigneeNavistar International Transportation Corp.
InventorArden O. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adjustable Ackerman steering mechanism to adjust the steering knuckle arm and tie rod to operate with various wheelbase lengths of a motor vehicle.
Claims15
A steering mechanism comprising a steering knuckle assembly adaptable for connection to a wheel spindle including a steering knuckle arm, an adaptor link adjustably connected to said steering knuckle arm to form said steering knuckle assembly, a tie rod pivotly connected to said steering knuckle assembly, indexing means on said link and arm to indicate the positional relationship therebetween for operation with a selected one of a range of vehicle wheelbases.
A vehicle steering mechanism comprising, a steering knuckle assembly including, a steering knuckle arm, an adaptor link adjustably connected to said steering knuckle arm, indexing means on said steering knuckle arm and said link to indicate the relative adjusted positions of said arm and link for operation with one of a selected range of vehicle wheelbase.
A vehicle steering mechanism comprising a steering knuckle assembly adapted for connection to a wheel spindle including a steering knuckle arm, an adaptor link adjustably connected to said steering knuckle assembly, indexing means on said support and link indicating the relative adjusted position of said support and link for selective operation and optimum steering geometry with one of a selected range of vehicle wheelbases, a tie rod universally connected to said steering knuckle arm and adjustable to compensate for adjustment of said steering knuckle assembly.
A front axle assembly for a truck comprising:
- a center beam assembly having kingpins at each end defining pivotal coupling axes;
- wheel spindles pivotally mounted to each end of said center beam for movement respectively about said kingpin axes;
- steering knuckle arms attached respectively to each wheel spindle and extending horizontally therefrom to a distal end remote from the kingpin axes;
- a horizontal adaptor link selectively secured to each steering knuckle arm in one of a plurality of positions rotated about a vertical axis through said distal end of said steering knuckle arm, said horizontal link having a vertical opening radially displaced from said vertical axis;
- and
- a tie rod pivotally connected between each of said adaptor links, said tie rod having at each end a ball joint including a socket, a ball disposed in said socket, and a shank extending from said ball, said shank being fixedly secured within said vertical opening of said adaptor link.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.