US 5,312,123 A · Compound steer conversion apparatus

Abstract

A compound steering lock-out apparatus to be selectively used with a vehicle equipped with a compound steering mechanism in which the front steerable axle is pivotally connected to the vehicle chassis and a pair of tie rods extend between the pivotable wheels and the chassis to effect a pivotal movement of the axle upon the actuation of a pivotal movement of the wheels relative to the steerable axle. The lock-out apparatus includes a fastener engageable with pivotable components of the compound steering mechanism to restrict the pivotal movement of the carrier linkage interconnecting the axle and the chassis and a single conventional tie rod to replace the dual tie rod concept of the compound steering mechanism. The installation of the lock-out mechanism makes the compound steering apparatus operate as a conventional automotive-type steering mechanism.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method of converting a steering mechanism from a compound steering mechanism, in which an axle pivotally mounting a pair of opposing steerable wheels is laterally movable relative to a chassis from which said axle is supported by a pivotable linkage in response to a pivoting of the steerable wheels which are operatively connected to said chassis, to a conventionally operating steering mechanism, in which the steering of said chassis is accomplished solely through the pivotal movement of said wheels relative to said axle, comprising the steps of:

locking said axle against the chassis to prevent relative pivotal movement through therebetween;
and
removing the operative connection between said wheels and said chassis to eliminate the actuation of the pivotal movement of said axle relative to said chassis and interconnecting said steerable wheels to allow pivotal movement thereof relative to said axle in a conventional simple steering operation.

In a vehicle including a chassis having a generally longitudinally extending centerline;

a transversely extending steerable axle pivotally mounted to said chassis for lateral movement relative to said chassis about a generally vertically extending axis;
a carrier linkage pivotally supporting said steerable axle from said chassis;
a pair of opposing steerable wheels pivotally connected to the respective transverse ends of said steerable axle for pivotal movement relative thereto about respective wheel pivot axes;
steering means operatively connected to said steerable wheels to control the pivotal movement thereof relative to said steerable axle;
and a connecting link means operatively associated with said steerable wheels to effect a lateral shifting of said steerable axle in response to a pivotal movement of said steerable wheels, the improvement comprising:
a lock-out means for selectively engaging said axle to prevent any lateral shifting thereof relative to said chassis without restricting the selective pivotal movement of said steerable wheels relative to said axle to accomplish a steering operation of said vehicle.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compound steer conversion apparatus

Life of this patent

Compound steer conversion apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15