Steering lock system
US6086074A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D7/148
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A steering lock mechanism for a steerable axle assembly. The mechanism includes a fluid-actuated pin mounted within a cylinder. The cylinder is carried by a plate attached to a steerable wheel end. The pin carried by the cylinder has a tapered end which engages a tapered hole. When these tapered components are in engagement, steering motion of the steerable wheel end is prevented. The mechanism has several significant features, one of which is a fail-safe design in which a mechanical spring urges the pin to assume an extended or locking position in the event of failure of the pneumatic actuating system. The mechanism is designed so that the pin will find the hole as the steered wheels sweep past the straight ahead position, in the event of a failure of the fluid actuation system used to retract the pin. A second feature is an adjustability afforded by 1) the pin being eccentrically mounted within a rotatable supporting cylinder; and 2) the tapered hole for receiving the pin being mounted in a slidable block which can be brought into alignment with the pin after the steerable wheels have been put into a straight ahead position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.