Low profile steerable power drive unit
US5101962A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D2009/006
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A low profile steerable power drive unit assembly (10) comprises a cylindrical frame member (22) having an annular ledge (42) extending inwardly therefrom. The ledge (42) includes a flat upper race (46), a frustoconical lower race (48) and gear teeth (82) disposed along the ring-like interface between the upper (46) and lower (48) races. A support bracket (24) is rotatably supported in the frame member (22) about a vertical axis (A) by a plurality of outwardly extending wheels (34, 36) freely rollable along the upper race (46) and the lower race (48). A motor (52) is supported in the support bracket (24) and, through a gear train, operatively engages the gear teeth (82) on the ledge (42) to rotate the support bracket (24) within the frame member (22). The support bracket (24) receives two modular power drive units in side-by-side orientation. The frame member (22) includes a subjacent mounting surface (30) which is attached directly to a floor structure (12) for supporting the assembly (10) entirely above the floor structure (12).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.