GB1584793A - Steering mechanism for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

(54) STEERING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES (71) We, KUBOTA, LTD., a joint-stock company duly organized and existing under the laws of Japan, of 22-banchi, 2-chome, Funade-cho, Naniwa-ku, Osaki-shi, Osakafu, 556 Japan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - The present invention relates to a steering mechanism in vehicles equipped with steering clutches and steering brakes on the left and right sides.

Steering mechanisms of this type are so designed that both the steering clutch and the steering brake on the left side can be operated by one control member, with those on the right side rendered similarly operative. Independently of this operating system, the left and right steering brakes are also adapted to be operated at the same time. It is already known to use link means in providing these operating systems. Generally, however, link means require a space for operation, are therefore not suited for installation in vehicles and will make the overall mechanism very bulky unless incorporatd ingeniously in connection with the arrangement of the steering clutches and with the arrangement of the steering brakes. Furthermore, if link means of usual structure is used as adapted to be operated independently to actuate the steering brakes on the opposite sides, it has heretofore been impossible to afford a braking action with effectiveness which increases with the movement of the brake operating member.

An object of this invention is to provide a mechanism incorporating link means for operating the left and right steering clutches and steering brakes and another link means for operating the left and right steering brakes only, the latter link means being adapted to produce a reliable braking effect when operating the opposite steering brakes alone.

The present invention consists in a vehicle including a steering mechanism comprising: a first control member for operating a steering clutch on the left side of the vehicle and a steering brake on the left side, a second control member for operating a Steering clutch on the right side of the vehicle and steering brake on the right side, first link means connecting said first control member to said left steering clutch and to said left steering brake and adapted to operate said steering clutch and said steering brake by turning respective generally vertical rod members about their generally vertical axes, second link means connecting said second control member to said right steering clutch and to said right steering brake and adapted to operate said steering clutch and said steering brake by turning respective generally vertical rod members about their generally vertical axes, a third control member for simultaneously operating said left and right steering brakes, and third link means connecting said third control member to said left and right steering brakes and adapted to operate said left and right steering brakes by turning said brake actuating generally vertical rod members about their generally vertical axes, and to give said brake actuating generally vertical rod members a torque progressively increasing with the movement of said third control member.

The invention also consists in a vehicle including a steering mechanism, comprising a first control member connected to first link means pivotally connected to an arm formed on a generally vertical rod member turnable about its generally vertical axis for operating a left steering clutch; a left side operation delaying means being operable through said first link means is pivotally connected to an arm of a generally vertical rod member turnable about its generally vertical axis for operating a left side steering brake in delayed action; a second control member connected to second link means pivotally connected to an arm of another generally vertical rod member turnable about its generally vertical axis for operating a right steering clutch, a right side operation delaying means being operable through said second link means is pivotally connected to an arm of a generally vertical rod member turnable about its generally vertical axis for operating a right side steering brake in delayed action; and a third control member connected to third link means for simultaneously operating said left and right side steering brakes, wherein: said third link means comprises rod means connected at a first end thereof to said third control member, two rods pivoted at a second end of said rod means at an obtuse angle between the rods when in a non-operative position, and being pivotally connected to a respective arm on said rod members turnable about their generally vertical axes for operating said left side and right side steering brakes, having acute angles formed between said arms and said rods respectively in a non-operative position.

Thus, the first, second and third link means can be movable about the generally vertical rod members, in other words, these link means are movable in generally horizontal planes, and it is possible to arrange the components of the mechanism to provide a compact mechanism which extends over only a small height and which is readily installable in a bottom portion of vehicles. Additionally, the third link means is adapted to give the brake actuating rod members a torque which progressively increases with the movement of the third control member. This assures effective operation of the steering brakes on the left and right sides.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one form of steering mechanism as embodied in a vehicle; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing another form of steering mechanism as embodied in a vehicle.

With reference to Fig. 1 a steering mechanism will be described in detail. A first control member 1 and a second control member 2 on the left and right are turnably mounted on a lateral support 3 secured to the frame (not shown) of a vehicle. Left and right steering clutches 4, 5 are operated by shifters to permit or interrupt power transmission to the left and right wheels.

Indicated at 6, 7 are vertical rod members for controlling the opposite steering clutches 4, 5. The vertical rod members 6, 7, when turned, cause cam means to move the shifters. Steering brakes, 12, 13 brake the left and right wheels. The first control member 1 is connected to the left steering clutch 4 by first link means A comprising a rod 8 pivoted at one end to the lower end of the first control member 1 by a lateral pin, a bell crank 9 pivoted at one end to the other end of the rod 8 by a vertical pin, operation delaying means B connected at one end to the other end of the bell crank 9, an arm 10 connected at one end to the other end of the delaying means B by a vertical pin, and a vertical rod member 11 connected to the other end of the arm 10.

The bell crank 9 is secured at its midportion to the vertical rod member 6 for operating the left steering clutch 4. The vertical rod member 11 is provided with an arm 14 to operate the steering brake 12 for braking the left wheel. When turned, the rod member 11 applies a braking force. The second control member 2 is connected to the right steering clutch 5 by second link means C having exactly the same structure as the first link means A. Stated more specifically, the second link means C comprises a rod 15 pivoted to the second control member 2, a bell crank 16 pivoted to the rod 15, operation delaying means D connected to the bell crank 16, an arm 17 connected to the delaying means D, and a vertical rod member 18 having the arm 17 secured thereto. The left vertical rod member 11, the vertical rod member 18 has an arm 19 for operating the right steering brake 13.

The bell crank 16 is secured at its midportion to the vertical rod member 7 for operating the right steering clutch 5.

The left and right operating delaying means B, D are so constructed that the first and second control members 1, 2, when moved, initially operate both the steering clutches 4, 5 only and, when further moved, operate both the steering brakes 12, 13. As illustrated specifically, the operation delaying means B, D comprise rods 20, 21 each formed at one end with a slot 22, 23 having fitted therein pins 24, 25 projecting from the other ends of the bell cranks 9, 16 respectively, the pins 24, 25 being slidable within the slots 22, 23. The other ends of the rods 20, 21 are similarly formed with slots 26, 27. The arms 10, 17 each secured at one end thereof to the vertical rod members 11, 18 have pins 28, 29 prdjecting from the other ends thereof. The pins 28, 29 are engaged in the slots 26, 27. Accordingly, the first and second control members 1, 2, when moved, first turn the bell cranks 9, 16, merely permitting the pins 24, 25 to slide in the slots 22, 23 without moving the rods 20, 21. This movement therefore turns the vertical rod members 6, 7 about their vertical axes to which the bell cranks 9, 16 are secured, thereby operating the left and right steering clutches 4, 5 only. When the first and second control members 1, 2 are further continuously moved, the pins 24, 25 come into contact with the end portions of the rods 20, 21 defining the ends of the slots 22, 23, whereupon the pins 24, 25 start to move the rods 20, 21. The rods 20, 21 now pull the arms 10, 17 connected thereto, thereby turning the vertical rod members 11, 18 about their vertical axes and operating the left and right steering brakes 12, 13. In this way, the operation delaying means B, D permit the first and second control members 1, 2 to disengage the steering clutches 4, 5 first and thereafter actuate the steering brakes 12, 13 during the continuous movement of the control members 1, 2 in one direction.

When the left and right steering brakes 12, 13 only are operated by the third link means to be described below, the form of linkage between the arms 10, 17 and the rods 20, 21 serves to keep the opposite steering clutches 4, 5 free of the brake operating action. Furthermore, the rods 20, 21 include adjusting means F, G for adjusting their lengths and operative positions with respect to the left and right steering clutches 4, 5 and brakes 12, 13. Known turnbuckles are useful as the means F, G.

The adjustment thus afforded assures reliable brake and clutch operations.

Indicated at 30 is a third control member, which, like the first and second control members, is turnably mounted on a lateral support 31 secured to the frame of the vehicle. The third control member 30 is connected to the left and right steering brakes 12, 13 by third link means E. The third link means E comprises a rod 32 coupled at one end to the third control member 30, two rods 34, 35 each pivoted at one end to the other end of the rod 32 by a vertical pin 33, and arms 36, 37 each secured at one end thereof to the vertical rod members 11, 18 respectively and pivoted at their other ends to the other ends of the two rods 34, 35. The third link means E is so constructed that the two rods 34, 35 connected to the rod 32 form an obtuse angle O between the rods 34, 35 when the third link means E is in its nonoperative position. The third link means E is also so designed that acute angles 2, 03 are formed between the two rods 34, 35 and the arms 36, 37 respectively when the third link means E is similarly in its nonoperative position. The angles 8,, 2, 03, thus set enable the third link means E to give a progressively increasing torque to the vertical rod members 11, us, as they are turned about their respective vertical axes, for operating the opposite steering brakes 12, 13 when the third control member 30 is operated. This assures that the rod members, 11, 18 will operate the steering brakes 12, 13 with a great force in the final stage of the operation. The rods 34, 35 are provided at their connections to the arms 36, 37 with slots 38, 39 having fitted therein vertical pins 40, 41 on the arms 36, 37. This arrangement renders the third link means E free of the influence to be otherwise exerted thereon when the first and second link means A, C are operated.

The two rods 34, 35 include adjusting means H, I for the adjustment of their lengths so as to properly operate the steering brakes 12, 13. Turnbuckles are used as the means H, I.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 will now be described. The members shown in Fig.

2 and serving the same functions as those in Fig. 1 are referred to by the same reference numerals and characters and will not be described in detail. The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 differs from that of Fig. 1 in the specific construction of the third link means E which in this embodiment includes five link members which are connected together.

The link means E comprises a rod 100 coupled to the third control member 30, two rods 102, 103 each connected at one end thereof to the rod 100 by a vertical pin 101, pivotal arms 106, 107 each pivoted at one end thereof to the other ends of the rods 102, 103 by vertical pins 108, 109 and also pivoted at their other ends to vertical members 104, 105 secured to the frame of the vehicle, and rods 110, 111 pivotably supported by the pins 108, 109. A frame portion 112 of the vehicle serves as a fixed member of the five-membered link means.

Like the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the angles Oi, 03, 03 are an obtuse angle, an acute angle and an acute angle respectively.

The link members are so arranged that the angle 04 between the rod 102 and the pivotal arm 106, and the angle 02 between the rod 103 and the pivotal arm 107 are acute angles when the third link means E is in its nonoperative position. The arrangement including the pivotal arms 106, 107, the rod 102 pivoted to another rod 110, and the rod 103 similarly pivoted to another rod 111 permits the rods 110, 111 to be moved by the operation of the third control member 30 initially a great amount and subsequently a small amount relative to the amount of the movement of the control member 30. This arrangement also allows the rods 110, 111 to pull the arms 36, 37 with a great force, whereby the left and right steering brakes 12, 13 can be operated rapidly and properly.

The first to third link means can be modified variously provided that they are operative about generally vertical axes and that the third link means gives a-brake operating force which increases with the movement of the control member operated.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: - 1. A vehicle including a steering mech

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   come into contact with the end portions of the rods 20, 21 defining the ends of the slots 22, 23, whereupon the pins 24, 25 start to move the rods 20, 21. The rods 20, 21 now pull the arms 10, 17 connected thereto, thereby turning the vertical rod members 11, 18 about their vertical axes and operating the left and right steering brakes 12, 13. In this way, the operation delaying means B, D permit the first and second control members 1, 2 to disengage the steering clutches 4, 5 first and thereafter actuate the steering brakes 12, 13 during the continuous movement of the control members 1, 2 in one direction.

   When the left and right steering brakes 12, 13 only are operated by the third link means to be described below, the form of linkage between the arms 10, 17 and the rods 20, 21 serves to keep the opposite steering clutches 4, 5 free of the brake operating action. Furthermore, the rods 20, 21 include adjusting means F, G for adjusting their lengths and operative positions with respect to the left and right steering clutches 4, 5 and brakes 12, 13. Known turnbuckles are useful as the means F, G.

   The adjustment thus afforded assures reliable brake and clutch operations.

   Indicated at 30 is a third control member, which, like the first and second control members, is turnably mounted on a lateral support 31 secured to the frame of the vehicle. The third control member 30 is connected to the left and right steering brakes 12, 13 by third link means E. The third link means E comprises a rod 32 coupled at one end to the third control member 30, two rods 34, 35 each pivoted at one end to the other end of the rod 32 by a vertical pin 33, and arms 36, 37 each secured at one end thereof to the vertical rod members 11, 18 respectively and pivoted at their other ends to the other ends of the two rods 34, 35. The third link means E is so constructed that the two rods 34, 35 connected to the rod 32 form an obtuse angle O between the rods 34, 35 when the third link means E is in its nonoperative position. The third link means E is also so designed that acute angles 2, 03 are formed between the two rods 34, 35 and the arms 36, 37 respectively when the third link means E is similarly in its nonoperative position. The angles 8,, 2, 03, thus set enable the third link means E to give a progressively increasing torque to the vertical rod members 11, us, as they are turned about their respective vertical axes, for operating the opposite steering brakes 12, 13 when the third control member 30 is operated. This assures that the rod members, 11, 18 will operate the steering brakes 12, 13 with a great force in the final stage of the operation. The rods 34, 35 are provided at their connections to the arms 36, 37 with slots 38, 39 having fitted therein vertical pins 40, 41 on the arms 36, 37. This arrangement renders the third link means E free of the influence to be otherwise exerted thereon when the first and second link means A, C are operated.

   The two rods 34, 35 include adjusting means H, I for the adjustment of their lengths so as to properly operate the steering brakes 12, 13. Turnbuckles are used as the means H, I.

   The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 will now be described. The members shown in Fig.

   2 and serving the same functions as those in Fig. 1 are referred to by the same reference numerals and characters and will not be described in detail. The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 differs from that of Fig. 1 in the specific construction of the third link means E which in this embodiment includes five link members which are connected together.

   The link means E comprises a rod 100 coupled to the third control member 30, two rods 102, 103 each connected at one end thereof to the rod 100 by a vertical pin 101, pivotal arms 106, 107 each pivoted at one end thereof to the other ends of the rods 102, 103 by vertical pins 108, 109 and also pivoted at their other ends to vertical members 104, 105 secured to the frame of the vehicle, and rods 110, 111 pivotably supported by the pins 108, 109. A frame portion 112 of the vehicle serves as a fixed member of the five-membered link means.

   Like the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the angles Oi, 03, 03 are an obtuse angle, an acute angle and an acute angle respectively.

   The link members are so arranged that the angle 04 between the rod 102 and the pivotal arm 106, and the angle 02 between the rod 103 and the pivotal arm 107 are acute angles when the third link means E is in its nonoperative position. The arrangement including the pivotal arms 106, 107, the rod 102 pivoted to another rod 110, and the rod 103 similarly pivoted to another rod 111 permits the rods 110, 111 to be moved by the operation of the third control member 30 initially a great amount and subsequently a small amount relative to the amount of the movement of the control member 30. This arrangement also allows the rods 110, 111 to pull the arms 36, 37 with a great force, whereby the left and right steering brakes 12, 13 can be operated rapidly and properly.

   The first to third link means can be modified variously provided that they are operative about generally vertical axes and that the third link means gives a-brake operating force which increases with the movement of the control member operated.

   WHAT WE CLAIM IS: - 1. A vehicle including a steering mech

   anism comprising: a first control member for operating a steering clutch on the left side of the vehicle and a steering brake on the left side, a second control member for operating a steering clutch on the right side of the vehicle and steering brake on the right side, first link means connecting said first control member to said left steering clutch and to said left steering brake and adapted to operate said steering clutch and said steering brake by turning respective generally vertical rod members about their generally vertical axes, second link means connecting said second control member to said right steering clutch and to said right steering brake and adapted to operate said steering clutch and said steering brake by turning respective generally vertical rod members about their generally vertical axes, a third control member for simultaneously operating said left and right steering brakes, and third link means connecting said third control member to said left and right steering brakes and adapted to operate said left and right steering brakes by turning said brake actuating generally vertical rod members about their generally vertical axes, and to give said brake actuating generally vertical rod members a torque progressively increasing with the movement of said third control member.
2. 2. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said first, second and third link means are provided with adjusting means for adjusting their operative positions with respect to said left and right steering clutches and stering brakes.
3. 3. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said third link means comprises a rod connected at one end thereof to said third control member, two rods pivoted to the other end of the rod with an obtuse angle formed between the rods in a nonoperative position, and arms attached to said generally vertical rod members and pivoted to said rods with acute angles formed between the arms and said rods in a nonoperative position.
4. 4. A vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second link means incorporate left and right operation delaying means, interconnecting said steering clutches and said steering brakes, whereby said first and second control members, when operated, initially operate said steering clutches only and subsequently operate said steering brakes through a further continuous movement of said first and second control members.
5. 5. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said operation delaying means comprise rods formed with slots and slidable pins fitting in said slots.
6. 6. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 2, or any of Claims 3 to 5, as dependent on Claim 2, wherein said third link means comprises five link members connected together.
7. 7. A vehicle including a steering mechanism, comprising a first control member connected to first link means pivotally connected to an arm formed on a generally vertical rod member turnable about its generally vertical axis for operating a left steering clutch; a left side operation delaying means being operable through said first link means is pivotally connected to an arm of a generally vertical rod member turnable about its generally vertical axis for operating a left side steering brake in delayed action; a second control member connected to second link means pivotally connected to an arm of another generally vertical axis for operating a right steering clutch, a right side operation delaying means being operable through said second link means is pivotally connected to an arm of a generally vertical rod member turnable about its generally vertical axis for operating a right side steering brake in delayed action, and a third control member connected to third link means for simultaneously operating said left and right side steering brakes, wherein: said third link means comprises, rod means connected at a first end thereof to said third control member, two rods pivoted at a second end of said rod means at an obtuse angle between the rods when in a nonoperative position, and being pivotally connected to a respective arm on said rod members turnable about their generally vertical axes for operating said left side and right side steering brakes, having acute angles formed between said arms and said rods respectively in a nonoperative position.
8. 8. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said third link means comprises a rod coupled to said third control member, two rods connected each at one end thereof to said rod by means of a generally vertical pin, pivotally mounted arms pivoted each at one end thereof, to the other ends of said two rods by generally vertical pins and being pivotally mounted at their other ends to generally vertical members secured to the frame of said vehicle, and further rods pivotably supported each at one end thereof, to said two rods by said pins and being pivoted at their other ends to said arms of said generally vertical members for said right and left steering brakes to thereby form an obtuse angle between said two rods, each angle formed respectively between said arm of said generally vertical rod member turnable about its generally vertical axis for operating said right steering brake and one of said two rods, and said arm of said generally vertical rod member turnable about its generally vertical axis for operating said left steering brake and the other of said two rods, and each angle formed respectively between one of said two rods and said arm pivoted to one of said generally vertical members secured to the frame of the vehicle, and the other rod of said two rods and the other arm pivoted to the other of said generally vertical members is an acute angle when said third link means is in a nonoperative position.
9. 9. A vehicle including a steering mechanism constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
10. 10. A vehicle including a steering mechanism constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.