AU598153B2 - Vehicle steering conversion kit - Google Patents

Description

I1~I-1-- IPII-lmPPIPs~llPUPI-slll-~ COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTF A 5 9 8 5°3 Patents Act 1952-1969 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE: Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Application No.

Specification Lodged Published Priority: r i:: Q r-.I -'iZ P cQ Related art: Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: 'Actual Inventor: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT ALLAN JOHN ROTHE 2 SUZANNE AVENUE, MORPHETT VALE, STATE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA ALLAN JOHN ROTHE Address for Service: COLLISON CO., Patent Attorneys, 117 King William Street, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "VEHICLE STEERING CONVERSIOIT KIT" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 This invention relates to a vehicle steering conversion kit, more particularly for the conversion of a vehicle from a left-hand drive to a right-hand drive configuration.

Many vehicles are imported into Australia with a left-hand drive configuration, and it is necessary and also highly desirable that these be converted to the right-hand drive configuration for Australian conditions. In converting the steering mechanism, it is usual practice to remove the steering column, steering box and associated linkages, and relocate all these components on the opposite side of the vehicle, this requiring the relocation of the drop arm, track rod and the like, these often having to be re-made to suit the new configuration.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved vehicle steering conversion kit which is virtually universal for most vehicles, and which does not require the relocation of the steering box, drop arm, track rod and associated linkages.

Thus there is provided according to the invention, a motor vehicle steering conversion apparatus, the apparatus comprising a shaft to extend from the steering box through the fire wall to underneath the dashboard, a further steering column and shaft located on the opposite side of the vehicle, and drive means such as a drive chain to extend under the dashboard from the steering column to the further steering shaft.

Also there is provided a method of converting a vehicle from a left-hand drive configuration to a right-hand drive configuration, the method including the steps of removing the steering column and steering shaft and disconnecting this from the steering box, providing a further steering shaft from the steering box to extend to the area underneath the dashboard, providing a steering column and a steering shaft on the opposite side of the vehicle, and providing a drive means such as a driving chain from the steering shaft and the steering column to the further steering shaft, the chain extending across underneath the dashboard of the vehicle.

In order to more fully understand the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing which shows the principle of the invention in partial diagrammatic form in plan view.

As shown in the drawing, the coupling 1 which is attached to the steering box fitted to the vehicle on the left-hand side thereof and which is not shown, has attached thereto a steering shaft 2, which is mounted in a tube 3, this extending rearwardly and upwardly to terminate at its end 4 urnder the dashboard of the vehicle.

On the opposite side of the vehicle, there is provided a steering column having the steering shaft 6 which can be fitted with the required collapsible member 7 to be attached to the steering wheel, which is not shown. The steering shaft and column can be affixed to the underside of the dashboard by a bracket 8, the steering shaft terminating at its end 9. A bearing 10 is provided, to which is attached a housing or the like 11 which extends across the underside of the vehicle, the end 4 of the further shaft 2 terminating also at this housing 11.

On the ends of the two shafts 2 and 6 are attached chain wheels 12 and 13 to which is fitted a chain 14. Preferably this chain can be a duplex chain or any other suitable chain. The housing 11 can be supported underneath the dashboard by brackets The upper end of the shaft 2 is mounted in a bearing 16 which is attached to the housing 11 by adjustment means 17 so that the tension of the chain can be suitably adjusted by slight movement of the shaft 2, this being accommodated for by the flexible coupling 1. The shaft 2 can be mounted in the end of the tube 3 by a bush 18, preferably of teflon. The bearings 10 and 16 can be self- V aligning bearings as required.

Thus according to the invention it will be seen that it is merely necessary to remove the existing steering column and steering shaft, and replace these with the additional shaft 2 and the chain drive connection across underneath the dashboard which is then connected to the relocated steering column on the opposite side of the vehicle.

4 Also in this connection with respect to the brake, clutch and accelerator, the existing accelerator, brake and clutch can be removed, but to these can be attached levers and rods which extend across, adjacent to, or to be located in connection with the housing 11 to be connected to the relocated clutch brake and accelerator on the right-hand side of the vehicle.

With this form of construction the shafts which are provided are not welded but are single unit shafts and thus would comply with the existing regulations.

The housing 11 can be formed of any suitable material, either being of circular or rectangular cross-section or the like for this has the effect of protecting and locating the chain and also providing the structural strength required for the t I Z support of the whole unit.

I Vt 15 Although one form of the invention has been described in some detail it is to be :rf realized that the invention is not to be limited thereto but can include various modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, t1 t

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Claims (6)

1. A method of converting a vehicle from a left-hand drive configuration to a right-hand drive configuration, the method including the steps of removing the installed steering column and steering shaft from the steering box, providing a further steering shaft from the existing steering box to extend, through the fire wall and terminate beneath the dashboard of the vehicle, providing a right-hand SI drive steering column and steering shaft on the opposite side of the vehicle to extend from beneath the dashboard to the steering wheel, and providing a drive means underneath the dashboard from the right-hand drive steering shaft and steering column to the further steering shaft.

2. An apparatus for converting a left-hand drive vehicle t, a right-hand drive configuration, said apparatus comprising a steering shaft to extend from the existing steering box in the vehicle to terminate beneath the dashboard, a steering column and shaft for the right-hand side of the vehicle extending to beneath the dashboard, and drive means connecting the steering shaft and the steering column. gI An apparatus as defined in Claim 2 wherein the drive means is a chain drive.

4. An apparatus as defined in Claims 2 or 3 wherein the steering shaft is connected to the steering box by a flexible coupling. An apparatus as defined in Claim 4 when appended to Claim 3, wherein the steering shaft adjacent the chain drive is adjustable to tension the chain.

6. An apparatus as defined in Claim 3 wherein the chain drive is enclosed in a housing. A 103 -Ar *7k C!L; I

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the housing and the steering column are attached to the dashboard by brackets.

8. A Vehicle Steering Conversion Kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 0f 0 4 0 4 e 0 0o Dated this 23rd day of September, 1988. ALLAN JOHN ROTHE, By his Patent Attorneys, COLLISON CO. 0 0 4 00 00 0