CA1161423A - Drive mechanisms - Google Patents

Drive mechanisms

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Publication number
CA1161423A
CA1161423A CA000372530A CA372530A CA1161423A CA 1161423 A CA1161423 A CA 1161423A CA 000372530 A CA000372530 A CA 000372530A CA 372530 A CA372530 A CA 372530A CA 1161423 A CA1161423 A CA 1161423A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
wheel
traction
drive member
supported
ratchet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000372530A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Lionel G. Morris
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA000372530A priority Critical patent/CA1161423A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1161423A publication Critical patent/CA1161423A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

ABSTRACT

A traction jockey wheel having a drive mechanism of a pawl and ratchet wheel type with a braking interlock operable when a lever arm used for drive and steering of the traction wheels is lowered or raised past a select range of operating positions.
The improvement can apply to either a single wheel or a dual wheel traction wheel assembly.

Description

11~1423
2.

This invention relates to traction jockey wheels of a type useful for supporting and assisting movement of towed vehicles such as caravans or trailers.

I have developed wheels of this type some aspects of which have been subject of previous patent applications and granted patents such as United States Patent No. 42277~6. Ihe~ Lnclude a pawl and ratchet wheel in which the ratche-t wheel is co-axially secured to a ground engageable wheel and preferably there is an adjustably positioned pawl secured to a supporting frame and a second adjustably positioned pawl secured to an operating lever arm which in itself is pivotally secured about an axis co-axiAl with the ratchet wheel.

Both of the pawls are adjustably positioned so that in one position, movement of the operating lever arm can effect drive of the ratchet wheel in a first direction about its axial support and thereby cause the traction wheel to rotate and hence any supported towed vehicle and by otherwise positioning each of the pawls, movement of the operating lever arm can be made to effect rotation of the ratchet wheel and hence the traction wheel in an opposite direction.

Such a drive mechanism can be duplicated so that there can be two ground engageable traction wheels and by having these separately rotatable and separate pawls for each of the ratchet wheels, a differential effect providing for ease in steerability can be achieved.

11~1423 This differential effect can be achieved wlth drive on each wheel so that there is advantage in a two wheel arrangement although the drive mechanism - is not directed exclusively either to a single wheel or to a dual whee] system.

The problem to which this invention is directed relates to a difficulty that can be e~perienced when using either of the above mechanisms.

If in any instance the towed vehicle commences to move under its own impetus in the direction that is otherwise selected for the pawls then there is no inhibition by reason of the drive mechanism to movernent in this direction.

This can perhaps be better understood by appreciating the problem that can occur with a large caravan which is pulled by using the traction ;jockey wheel mechanism to the peak of a hill but as the hill is reachecl, commences under its OWIl weight to move down the hill.

In this circumstance, neither of the ratchet settings of the pawls would inhibit this movement ancl a dangerous situation could arise if the person operating the traction jockey wheel should happen to fall then there is a real possibility that the vehicle could proceed without his guidance and he in fact could be in danger of being hit or even run over by the vehicle.

According to this invention this problem is overcome by providing that with the drive mechanism there is provided a brake means, and a brake control 4.

arrangement arranged so that in a first selected range of positions of the lever arm, the brake means are held in a non-braking position, and in its second range of positions of the lever arm the brake means are released so they may assume a braking position with respect to the raction wheel or wheel 5 .

According to the present invention there is provided a traction ~ockey wheel for supporting and moving towed vehicles, said jockey wheel including a supporting frame for attachment to said vehicle, a traction wheel supported by said frame and notable relative thereto about a generally horizontal axis, and means to control rotation of said wheel relative to said frame said means including a manually operable drive member supported on said frame for oscillatory movement relative thereto, a ratchet mechanism operable between said drive member and said traction wheel to in,part rotation to said wheel upon oscillatory movement of said drive members through a predetermined range, brake means operable to inhibit rotation of said wheel relative to said support, and movable between operative and inoperative positions, said brake means being connected to said drive member to move from said inoperative to said operative position upon movement of said drive member beyond said predetermined range.

~l~i423 4a.

It is a characteristic of this arrangement that the operating lever arm is used both to effect a drive of the traction wheel and is also used for steering.
.
The operating range of positions of the lever arm relates therefore to the range of positions of the lever arm with respect to the support frame of the traction jockey wheel so that the steering control position of the lever arm is then not relevant.

This could however include rotation of the lever arm about its elongate axis against a spring return pressure or it could include in a preferred instance enabling a braking means to assume an effective braking position when the lever arm is in an uppermost relative position to the support frame or in a lowermost position.

It will be understood that the more important of these positions is the lowermost position in that if a person should happen to fall then the lever arm is allowed to fall also and upon this reaching a lowermost position that is typically with the lever arm engaging the ground then clearly this will allow the brake to engage and impede an otherwise dangerous situation developing.

., There is value in having the lever arm uppermost with a braking effect in that this can be an assured storage position in which the lever arm is in effectively a storage position and the traction wheels are then effectively in a locked condition.

This concept can apply in either of the cases where either there is a single traction wheel or there are two traction wheels co-axially supported.

Indeed there is no limit to the number of wheels that can be co-axially supported although two has been found to be a preferred number.

With the two tractipn wheels, in a preferred instance, there can either be a separate mechanism for each wheel including a separate braking means independently operating or there can be a commonly applied braking member as will be illustrated in the preferred embodiment.

For a better understanding oE this invention it will now be described with the assistance oE drawings in which:-FIG. I is a perspective view oE a traction jockeywheel according to a Eirst preEerrecl embodiment having a part of one oE tne traction wheels cutaway for clearer visibility;

FIG. 2 iS a side elevation of the traction jockey wheel as in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiments viewed on the line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side elevation on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the operating lever arm in a position whereby the braking means are in a non-braking position;

FIG. 4 is a view identical with that as shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment except that the lever arm is shown in a position in which the braking means are in a braking position and finally, FIG. 5 is a ~ide elevation of a second em~odiment providing the mechansim and level arm assembly for a single traction jockey wheel.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and referring firstly to the first preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through to 4 this includes a traction jockey wheel 1 which includes a support frame 2 and supported from this two traction wheels which are independently rotatable 3 and 4 each on a common axis 5 and each held in position by a spring washer 6.

Secured co-axially with respect to each of the traction wheels 3 and 4 is a ratchet wheel 7 and 8 so arranged that each of the ratchet wheels are co-axial with the respective traction wheel and secured so as to rotate co-axially therewith.
B

With respect ot each of the ratchet wheels 7 and 8 are spring loaded pawls which are adjustably supported in the case of pawl 9 by a lever arm assembly 10 and in the case of pawl 11 by the support frame 2. Likewise in the case of pawl 12 which is not shown this also being supported by ]ever arm assembly and in the case of pawl 13 this is adjustably supported by support frame 2 both o.E these in respect of ratchet wheel 8.

Each of the pawls is pivotally supported with respect to the respective mounts and includes a spring loaded plunger 14 wh.ich acts,against member 15 which includes at an upper edge a concave face 16 ancl at a lower edge fingers 17 and 18 the member lS being pivotally supported with respect to the respective support member.

It will be seen by the use oE this arrangement that by co-operatively adjusting each of tlne pawls in position, so that each will provide a ratchet .Ereeclom in one directi.on and a l.ock against movement of the ratchet wheel in the other then this will ensure forward or reverse movement depending upon the adjustable position selected wllen the lever arm assembly 10 is moved relative to the support frame 2.

It is to be noted that :in ~IG. L the lever arm assembly includes a spigot 19 to which an extension comprising a hollow lever member can be secured to provide substantial leverage and steering control when necessary.

~ 4L~3 The support frame 2 further includes an extendible stem 20 and a control handle 21 controlling the degree of extension of the stem 20.

To provide a braking effect when necessary there is provided a braking member 21 which includes a tooth 22 and which is pivotally supported with respect to the support frame 2 about an axis at 23 which coincides with the axis of the member 15 where this secured to the support frame 2.

A spring member 24 is secured to the support frame 2 at 25 and is so arranged so as to bias the movement of the brake member 2:1. so that it will bc urged into a braking pos:ition that is with the tooth 22 lnterlock;.ng with respect to the teeth 26 o.E the ratchet wheel 8.

This of course is repeatecl in the same manner with ratchet wheel 7.

The inter:Lock:ing posit:ion of the braking member 21 is however controlled by the efEective inter-relationship of the l.eg 27 wh:ich :is secured at an endof the lever arm arrangement lO and this engages against a cam base 28 which is so shaped that when it is in the position as shown in .FIG. 3 this will hold the tooth 22 from interlocking and therefor in a non-braking position but when it is moved up into the position either at 29 or 30 then this will allow for the tooth 22 to move to a interlocking position and hence a braking position with respect to the traction wheel 4.

This position is most clearly shown in FIG. 4 in which the lever arm assembly 10 is shown in a lowermost position whereupon allowing tooth 22 under the i.nfluence of spring 24 to assume an interlocking position with respect to the teeth 26 of the ratchet wheel 8.
~,~
It will be seen from this that there a,~e a range of positions over an operating range that the lever arm assembly 10 can work through but this can then be shifted to a lowermost position which will normally not be used when normally effecting a drive of the traction wheels or in an uppermost position as shown i.n ~IG. 1 WhiCIl iS generally a storage position which is also a position not normally assumed when the wheels are be:ing clriven.

Now referring to the second embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, this relates to the mechanism which is used in conjullctioll with a sing:le traction wheel According:ly the support .Erame 3:L includes an extendible stenl 32 only part of whi.ch :is shown for sal<e of simpl:icity and a yoke 33 which extends with legs to support the frame 31 on both sides of the traction wheel 34 by engaging support axial 35.

A lever arm assembly 36 with appropri.ately adjustable pawls 37 and 38 which are not fully shown but which operate and are arranged i.n identical fashion to that shown in the first embodiment operatively interconnect in the same way as in the first embodiment with the ratchet wheel 39 so that in one position operation of the lever arm assembly 36 with the lever ~

10 .

arm extension in this case 40 will effect drive in one direction wlth the pawl 38 supported by the support frame 31 by reason of its pivot support on a portion of the leg of the yoke 33.

The addition in this case includes a brake member 41 which is pivotally supported about the axial support 42 which is secured relative to the yoke 33 which is a part of the support frame 31 and this drive member 41 is urged :into a braking position by reason of spring element 43 which has an end secured by passing through an aperture a,t 44.

The brake member 41. has a tooth 45 which is adapted to interlock with the teeth 46 o:E the ratchet wheel 39.

This is inhib.ited by reasoll of the leg 47 engaging agai.nst the cam .Ence 43 o.E thc drive member 4:1.

If however the leg 47 reaclles portions 49 or 50 then of course this allows the position of the drive member 41 to SWillg in the direction of the spring pressure caused by 43 which causes an interl.ock of the ratchet wheel and hence the traction wheel 34 with rcspect to ~he support .Erame 31.

11 .

This then describes the preferred embodiment from which it will be seen that by incorporation of a braking means and control means relative to the braking member operable so that a braking effect is achieved when the lever arm is in an other than selected range of positions then this provides a very good safety factor and provides for significant improvement in relation to this concept.

Claims (7)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A traction jockey wheel for supporting and moving towed vehicles, said jockey wheel including a supporting frame for attachment to said vehicle, a traction wheel supported by said frame and notable relative thereto about a generally horizontal axis, and means to control rotation of said wheel relative to said frame said means including a manually operable drive member supported on said frame for oscillatory movement relative thereto, a ratchet mechanism operable between said drive member and said traction wheel to impart rotation to said wheel upon oscillatory movement of said drive members through a predetermined range, brake means operable to inhibit rotation of said wheel relative to said support, and movable between operative and inoperative positions, said brake means being connected to said drive member to move from said inoperative to said operative position upon movement of said drive member beyond said predetermined range.
2. A traction jockey wheel as in claim 1, wherein said brake means is pivotally supported on said supporting frame and carries an interlocking tooth, said tooth interlocking in said operative position with complementary teeth of at least one ratchet wheel of said ratchet mechanism.
3. A traction jockey wheel as in claim 2, wherein said ratchet wheel is secured to the traction wheel for rotation therewith, and a resiliently loaded pawl is supported by the drive member and said drive member is pivotally co-axially supported with respect to the traction wheel or wheels.
4. A jockey wheel according to claim 3, wherein said pawl is adjustable on said drive member to reverse the direction of rotation imparted by said drive member on said wheel.
5. A traction jockey wheel as in any of claims 3 or 4, wherein there is included a further resiliently loaded pawl supported by the supporting frame and effective by engagement against ratchet wheel of said ratchet mechanism, to impede motion of said wheel in a direction opposite to that induced by said drive member.
6. A jockey wheel according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said brake means includes a cam surface engageable by said drive member to hold said brake means in said inoperative position when said drive member is in said predetermined range.
7. A traction jockey wheel comprising a support frame, a ground engageable traction wheel supported by the support frame for traction about a substantially horizontal axis and steering about a substantially vertical axis, a ratchet wheel co-axially secured to the traction wheel, a spring loaded pawl adjustably supported by a manually operable lever arm which is pivotally co-axially supported with respect to the traction wheel, and effective to cause a ratchet drive with respect to the ratchet wheel in either of a selected traction rotational direction, and a further spring loaded pawl adjustably supported by the supporting frame and effective by engagement against the ratchet wheel to impede motion of the ratchet wheel in either of the selected rotational traction directions, braking means pivotally supported by the support frame and including an interlocking tooth, spring means arranged to urge the tooth into an interlocking braking position with respect to the ratchet wheel, and inter-engaging cam means between braking means and the lever arm arranged so as to hold the tooth from an interlocking braking position only when the lever arm is in a selected operating range of positions.
CA000372530A 1981-03-09 1981-03-09 Drive mechanisms Expired CA1161423A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000372530A CA1161423A (en) 1981-03-09 1981-03-09 Drive mechanisms

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000372530A CA1161423A (en) 1981-03-09 1981-03-09 Drive mechanisms

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1161423A true CA1161423A (en) 1984-01-31

Family

ID=4119401

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000372530A Expired CA1161423A (en) 1981-03-09 1981-03-09 Drive mechanisms

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1161423A (en)

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