Apparatus and method for steering a vehicle with zero turning radius capability
US6725954B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H39/14
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for steering a vehicle with zero turning radius capability includes a movable steering handle, first and second CVT devices for independently driving first and second drive wheels, respectively, a transmission control device, and first and second biased guide members. The transmission control device interconnects the steering handle and the first and second CVT devices, and includes a mixing lever for controlling operations of the first and second CVT devices. Movement of the steering handle in a first steering direction causes the first guide member to move the mixing lever in a first actuating direction, and movement of the steering handle in a second steering direction causes the second guide member to move the mixing lever in a second actuating direction. The mixing lever can be positioned so as to cause the first and second CVT devices to drive the drive wheels in a manner permitting the vehicle to be steered at a zero turn radius in response to movement of the steering handle in a selected steering direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.