Drive system for a vehicle
This patent describes a drive system for a vehicle. This system consists of: means mounted on the chassis and having an output shaft, a differential having an input member and a pair of output members, connecting means for connecting the output shaft to the input member of the differential, a pair of drive wheels, each of the drive wheels being connected to one of the output members, clutch means interconnecting the input member and one of the output members, the clutch means having an engaged position for operably connecting the input member to the one output member whereby both output members will rotate at the same speed. The clutch means has a disengaged position wherein the output members can rotate independently, a steerable wheel mounted on the chassis, a steering column mounted for rotation on the chassis and operably connected to the steerable wheel whereby rotation of the column will pivot the steerable wheel to turn the vehicle, means for moving the clutch means to the engaged position when the steerable wheel is in a straight ahead position, means responsive to the steering column being rotated beyond a first arc on either side of the straight ahead position for disengaging the clutch means, brake means operably connected to each drive wheel, and means responsive to rotation of the steering column in a first direction beyond a second arc substantially greater than the first arc to operate the brake means associated with one of the drive wheels, the drive means having a high speed forward position, and means responsive to rotation of the steering column to either side of the straight ahead position when the drive means is in the high speed forward position for reducing the speed of the drive means.
- Assignee:
- Ransomes, Inc., Johnson Creek, WI
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4572310
- OSTI ID:
- 5775199
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 30 Jul 1984
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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