Steering mode switching carriage
US5899482A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 4, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62B2301/06
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A novel steering mode switching carriage is disclosed. A plurality of such carriages, if coupled to each other, can follow a single path without developing any discrepancy in turning radius between front and rear inner wheels when traveling on a curve. The carriage is used as a conventional cart if the front wheels are made to pivot freely and the rear wheels are fixedly aligned longitudinally. According to the present invention, a pair of pivotal shafts of the front wheels and a pair of pivotal shafts of the rear wheels are coupled by right and left parts of a reversing mechanism respectively. Each pivotal shaft is provided with an engaging member, which has a slider and a link lever extending therefrom. The front wheel is caused to pivot by the slider, and the reversing mechanism and the slider are coupled to each other by the link lever. The right and left link levers are coupled to each other by a synchronizing shaft, which is caused to pivot laterally by a steering lever whose rear end is pivotally supported at a lateral center between the front wheels. A front end of the steering lever is operatively connected to a traction bar, which disengages the engaging members from the …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.