Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-02
2001-02-27
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S419000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193257
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of steering systems, and more particularly to a steering system for multiple vehicle trains.
2. Description of the Related Art
As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,891,238; 4,382,607; 4,484,758; 5,071,152; 5,163,698; and 5,477,937, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse steering systems.
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical steering system for multiple vehicle trains.
Maneuverability of multiple vehicle trains is a concern for example in farming applications where multiple vehicles, such as, for example, a train of multiple feed bunks, must be moved through narrow gates or around buildings or other obstructions.
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved steering system and the provision of such a construction is a stated objective of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention provides a steering system for a multiple vehicle train that is pulled by a prime mover. A series of connected adjacent leading and trailing vehicles each have a single axle mounted under a rear body portion and are equipped with a triangular linkage. The linkage is defined by three connections: a pivotal connection of the axle to a rear portion of the vehicle body; a pivotal connection between the bodies of the leading and trailing vehicles; and a fore and aft movable connection between the body of the trailing vehicle and a tongue that extends back from the axle. When the vehicle train is traveling straight ahead, the movable connection is in its forwardmost position and the three connection points are aligned in a straight line where the axle is disposed perpendicular to the direction of travel. When the prime mover turns to the right, the movable connection moves back and the connection points form a triangle which acts to pivot the axle to the left of its perpendicular position, causing the rear of the vehicle to closely track the path of the front of the vehicle. When a left turn is made the linkage acts to pivot the axle to the right, causing the rear of the vehicle to closely track the front. The steering system allows a multiple vehicle train to maneuver through relatively narrow passageways since the vehicles closely follow the path of the prime mover.
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Fischer Andrew J.
Henderson & Sturm LLP
Hurley Kevin
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