Wheel turn initiator
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsJeffrey L. Konchan, Hesham A. Ezzat
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a wheel and tire assembly, and a wheel turn initiator system. The wheel and tire assembly is mounted with respect to the vehicle frame and is selectively rotatable about a generally vertical axis. The wheel turn initiator system is mounted with respect to the frame and has a member. The wheel turn initiator system is configured such that an external force applied to the front end of the vehicle causes the member to engage the wheel and tire assembly and thereby cause the wheel and tire assembly to rotate about the axis.
Claims13
A vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle frame;
- a wheel and tire assembly mounted with respect to the vehicle frame and selectively rotatable about a generally vertical axis;
- and
- a wheel turn initiator system mounted with respect to the frame and having a rod that extends to a distal end, with the distal end facing the wheel and tire assembly;
- wherein the wheel turn initiator system is configured such that an external force applied to a front end of the vehicle causes the distal end of the rod to engage the wheel and tire assembly and thereby cause a forward portion of the wheel and tire assembly to move inboard.
A vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle frame;
- a wheel and tire assembly mounted with respect to the vehicle frame and selectively rotatable about a generally vertical axis;
- and
- a wheel turn initiator system mounted with respect to the frame and having a member;
- wherein the wheel turn initiator system is configured such that an external force applied to a front end of the vehicle causes the member to engage the wheel and tire assembly and thereby cause the wheel and tire assembly to rotate about the axis;
- wherein the wheel turn initiator system is configured to transfer the external force to the member and thereby move the member into contact with the wheel and tire assembly;
- wherein the wheel turn initiator system includes a guide bracket that is mounted with respect to the frame and that defines a slot that extends transversely with respect to the vehicle;
- wherein the member extends through the slot;
- and
- wherein the slot is sufficiently sized to prevent vertical movement of the member but permit transverse movement of the member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.