Retrofit unit for vehicle steering mechanism

US5715902A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Paul A. Petrovich · Fowlerville, US
• Jack G. Rodgers · Roseville, US
• John J. Schmitz · St. Clair Shores, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 29, 1996
• Grant date: Feb 10, 1998
• Expiry date: Jan 29, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D1/00
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A retrofit mechanism adapts a pre-existing manually steered vehicle for b manual and powered remote steering control. The mechanism's steering control subassembly mounts to a bridge of a rigid adaptor assembly fixed to the vehicle's frame. A control subassembly post passes rotatably through a web of the adaptor's bridge. The post is rotated by a motorized steering actuator mounted to a side of the bridge. A symmetric wing fixed to the post pivotally connects with two rods, which themselves pivotally connect an adapter element on the steering column. The rods lie on opposite sides of, and equidistantly from, a line extending from the central axis to the steering column axis. The wing, rods and adapter element cooperate to achieve nonbinding rotation of the vehicle's steering column within a sleeve surounding the column.