US3638744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle speed-change and steering apparatus
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1970-04-16
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1990-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle speed-change and steering apparatus comprises a pair of right and left stepless speed-change mechanisms each having a stationary pulley, a movable pulley and a belt interposed between the two pulleys, the pulleys being mounted on a driving shaft. A pair of rack rods are respectively connected to the right and left movable pulleys, and the rack rods are meshed with a single common pinion, such that the right and left movable pulleys are constrained to be moved in equal quantities in mutually opposite directions by the operation of a rotation detecting mechanism on the driving shaft and engaging the moving pulleys. Additionally, the right and left pulleys may be moved in the same directions by moving the pinion to the right or left to effect differential variation of speed of the belts of the speed-change mechanisms.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshikazu Washizawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:29
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D11/00; B62D11/02; B62D11/06; B62D11/10; B62D11/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A vehicle speed-change and steering apparatus comprising first and second means for driving right and left vehicle ground support means for propulsion of the vehicle, said first and second means including respective speed-change means for varying the speed at which the associated ground support means is driven, said first and second speed-change means each comprising a stationary pulley, a movable pulley and a belt interposed between the stationary pulley and the movable pulley for driving the associated ground support means, speed control means for adjusting the speed change means of the first and second means to vary vehicle speed, coupling means operatively coupling the respective speed-change means of the first and second means and the speed control means to constrain the speed change means to undergo conjoint operation thereof upon desired change of vehicle speed to cause the right and left ground support means to be varied equally, said coupling means comprising a rack rod connected to each movable pulley and a common pinion in mesh with each rack rod to cause each rack rod to move equally in opposite direction during speed change, and steering means operatively coupled to both said speed-change means via said coupling means to vary the speed-change means differentially and thereby vary the speed of the left and right vehicle ground support means to produce turning of the vehicle, said steering means including means for displacing said common pinion to move said rack rods in the same direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
A vehicle speed-change and steering apparatus comprising first and second means for driving right and left vehicle ground support means for propulsion of the vehicle, said first and second means including respective speed-change means for varying the speed at which the associated ground support means is driven, said first and second speed-change means each comprising a stationary pulley, a movable pulley and a belt interposed between the stationary pulley and the movable pulley for driving the associated ground support means, speed control means for adjusting the speed change means of the first and second means to vary vehicle speed, coupling means operatively coupling the respective speed-change means of the first and second means and the speed control means to constrain the speed change means to undergo conjoint operation thereof upon desired change of vehicle speed to cause the right and left ground support means to be varied equally, said coupling means comprising a rack rod connected to each movable pulley and a common pinion in mesh with each rack rod to cause each rack rod to move equally in opposite direction during speed change, and steering means operatively coupled to both said speed-change means via said coupling means to vary the speed-change means differentially and thereby vary the speed of the left and right vehicle ground support means to produce turning of the vehicle, said steering means including means for displacing said common pinion to move said rack rods in the same direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for displacing said common pinion comprises a slidable member supporting said pinion, and a rotatable control element coupled to said slidable member for displacing the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said speed control means comprises a rotatable shaft supporting said pulleys and coupled therewith for common rotation, the movable pulleys of the speed-change means being slidably mounted on the shaft, and speed detection means on said shaft and coupled to a respective movable pulley to move the same on the shaft relative to the associated stationary pulley in response to variation of rotational speed of the shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rack rods extend in facing relation in mesh with said common pinion and the movable pulleys of the speed-change means move in mutually opposite directions during speed change.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein speed detection means comprises centrifugally operated weights on said shaft engaging the movable pulleys along radially inclined surfaces thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said shaft is hollow and said rack rods are supported in said shaft, said shaft being provided with slots, each movable pulley including a connecting pin joined to the associated rack rod and engaged in a respective slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said shaft is provided with slits and said pinion is supported within said shaft and includes a supporting pinion shaft extending through said slits and engaging the steering means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |