Indexing device for a vehicular steering assembly
US4936429A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T70/5956
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicular control mechanism is known that incorporates a steering assembly swingable about an upstanding axis in either direction from a central NEUTRAL position. Even if the transmission is not powerably driving an associated cross drive mechanism the angular displacement of the steering assembly away from NEUTRAL could cause an input to the cross drive and an undesirable movement of the vehicle under some circumstances. To obviate this, an indexing device is provided that is responsive to the movement of an actuating lever pivotally mounted on a steering assembly between BRAKE-OFF and BRAKE-ON positions. The vehicle frame defines an indexing pocket, and an elongate locking element is reciprocally mounted on the steering assembly and interconnectable with the pocket when the steering assembly is angularly positioned in NEUTRAL. The operator is quickly aware that the steering assembly is displaced from NEUTRAL when he is prevented from moving the actuating lever to the BRAKE-ON position by the indexing device. A microswitch is also activated to allow restarting of an engine starting circuit when the actuating lever is moved to the BRAKE-ON position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.