Mechanical ZTR system with steering wheel
AssigneeMTD Products Inc
InventorHans Hauser
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ZTR vehicle includes true or proper ZTR steering in the forward and reverse directions. The vehicle has independently driven locomotive drives that drive the wheels to provide mobility and steering to the vehicle. A steering wheel is included that pivots one of two steering input members that rotate to independently shift the drive units. A speed and direction pedal is also included, which is communicated to provide direction and magnitude input to the drive units. The steering input and speed and direction inputs coordinate propelling the vehicle such the vehicle turns in the same direction when traveling forward as well as in reverse.
Claims11
A Zero-Turn Radius vehicle, comprising:
- a frame;
- at least first and second ground engaging wheels rotatably connected with respect to the frame;
- at least first and second locomotive drives operatively connected to the first and second ground engaging wheels respectively, the first locomotive drive having a first drive control member, the second locomotive drive having a second drive control member;
- a steering wheel selectively rotatably connected with respect to the frame, the steering wheel being operatively rotatable in first and second steering directions;
- steering control means for use in providing steering input, the steering control means being operatively mechanically communicated with the first and second drive control members;
- a speed control member operatively rotatably connected with respect to the frame, the speed control member being rotatable in first and second directions, wherein the speed control member is operatively mechanically communicated with the first and second drive control members;
- and,
- wherein when the vehicle is driven in a first direction and steered in a first direction, the first ground engaging wheel is rotated at a greater magnitude than the second ground engaging wheel with respect to the first direction of travel, and,
- wherein when the vehicle is driven in a second direction and steered in the first direction, the first ground engaging wheel is rotated at a greater magnitude than second ground engaging wheel with respect to the second direction of travel.
The Zero-Turn Radius vehicle of claim 9, further comprising:
- biasing means for use in biasing the steering input members into a default position.
A Zero-Turn Radius vehicle, comprising:
- a frame;
- at least first and second ground engaging wheels rotatably connected with respect to the frame;
- at least first and second locomotive drives operatively connected to the first and second ground engaging wheels respectively, the first locomotive drive having a first drive control member, the second locomotive drive having a second drive control member;
- a steering wheel selectively rotatably connected with respect to the frame, the steering wheel being operatively rotatable in first and second steering directions;
- a speed control member operatively rotatably connected with respect to the frame, the speed control member being rotatable in first and second directions;
- and,
- a linkage operatively attached to the frame, the linkage receiving mechanical input from the steering wheel and the speed control member for use in independently shifting the first and second drive control members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.