Mechanical steering linkage for battery powered mower with zero turning radius
US8844953B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2012 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D3/12
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A steering system for a riding lawn mower includes a wheel frame pivotally coupled to a vehicle frame about a roll axis. The wheel frame has spaced apart upper and lower wheel frame members. Steering knuckles are pivotally coupled to opposing sides of the wheel frame for rotatably supporting wheels. Each steering knuckle is straddle mounted between the upper and lower wheel frame members. A rack and pinion steering mechanism for pivoting the steering knuckles is coupled to a steering wheel via a steering column. The steering column includes a shaft portion extending along a shaft axis and has at least one socketed connection. The socketed connection transmits rotational movement about the shaft axis between the shaft portion and another rotatable component. The socketed connection also permits axial movement of the shaft portion along the shaft axis in response to the wheel frame rolling relative to the vehicle frame.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.