Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-15
2001-07-17
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S093510
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260868
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a steering mechanism and, more particularly, to a steering mechanism that has very little play or lost motion and a reduced sensitivity ratio between the steering control and the part steered when the mechanism is centered. The inventive steering mechanism may be advantageously used in, e.g., a human-powered recumbent vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Over the past few years, recumbent bicycles have been increasing in popularity with respect to conventional bicycles. Recumbent bicycles are more comfortable to ride than conventional bicycles because of the more natural seated position taken by the rider. This minimizes seat and neck soreness, aching shoulders, and numb hands that result from the small saddle and the rider's bent-over position used on a conventional bicycle. Recumbent bicycles also tend to be safer than conventional bicycles because of their lower center of gravity and the closer proximity of the rider to the ground. Recumbent bicycles are also able to stop more quickly because more of the rider's weight is over the rear wheels.
For these reasons, there is a greater availability of recumbent bicycles, as well as 3- and 4-wheeled recumbent vehicles. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,451,064, 4,456,277, 4,497,502 and 5,544,903 (each disclosing recumbent tricycles) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,762 (disclosing a 4-wheeled recumbent quadracycle).
A variety of steering mechanisms have been used in conjunction with such 2-, 3- and 4-wheeled recumbent vehicles. Many of the steering mechanisms involve relatively complicated linkages and controls. Such mechanisms tend to have less than precise steering because of play and lost motion between the various components of the steering mechanism. Also, vehicles having such mechanisms are subject to over-steering as the rider moves the steering control away from the centered or straight-ahead steering direction.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a steering mechanism that has reduced play and lost motion between the components of the mechanism.
A further object is to provide a steering mechanism that has decreasing steering sensitivity when centered so as to minimize oversteering.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These objects, as well as others which will become apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawings and following detailed description, are provided by a steering assembly for use with a vehicle having a frame, with the frame being supported by at least one directional support (such as a rotatable wheel, ski, endless flexible track, etc.) that is pivotable about a first axis to steer the vehicle. The steering assembly comprises a first mounting member to which the directional support is secured, the mounting member being secured to the frame of the vehicle for pivotable motion about the first axis. A steering lever is mounted to the frame adjacent to the first mounting member, with the steering lever being pivotable about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The steering lever also has a drive pin associated therewith. A pivotable bearing block operatively connects the drive pin to the first mounting member. The bearing block includes a shaft that is received in the mounting block so as to permit rotation of the bearing block with respect to the mounting block about a third axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and is laterally displaced from the second axis. The bearing block includes first and second studs that project therefrom which capture the drive pin. Accordingly, when the steering lever pivots about the second axis, the bearing block pivots about the third axis, and both the bearing block and the first mounting member pivot about the first axis to rotate the directional support, thus effecting steering of the vehicle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 530042 (1894-11-01), Gillingham
patent: 4451064 (1984-05-01), Perkins
patent: 4497502 (1985-02-01), Forbes et al.
patent: 4541647 (1985-09-01), Braun
patent: 4586723 (1986-05-01), Nabinger
patent: 4674762 (1987-06-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 5380025 (1995-01-01), Thorpe
patent: 5503244 (1996-04-01), Beirlein
patent: 5544906 (1996-08-01), Clapper
patent: 6042134 (2000-03-01), Rector
Cook Alex McFarron Manzo Cummings & Mehler, Ltd.
Dunn David R.
Swann J. J.
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