GB563489A - Improvements relating to braking means applicable to vehicle steering mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

563,489. Locking rods. BURMAN & SONS, Ltd., BRIGGS, T. H., and BRIGGS, W. H. Feb. 9, 1943, No. 2144. [Class 80 (iii)] [Also in Group XXXII] Consists in non-reactive gearing particularly applicable to the steering mechanism of vehicles, aircraft and boats. As applied to vehicle steering mechanism, the steering wheel is mounted on an extension of a sleeve k, Fig. 1, which has a quick-pitch screw connection j with a shaft h which actuates the usual nut e and rocker arm f. At one end of the sleeve k is formed a brake disc l with an annular facing of friction material m which abuts another disc n secured to one side of a unidirectional clutch member o, the other side of which abuts a thrust plate p supported by balls q carried in a groove in the housing r. The parts o, p are free to rotate on the sleeve k. The clutch member o, Fig. 2, has tapered recesses s containiiig rollers t urged against the housing r by springs u. At the other end of the sleeve is splined a brake disc l<1>, held by nuts v, and having a friction surface m<1> which abuts a disc n<1> secured to a unidirectional clutch member o<1>, the other side of which abuts a thrust plate p supported by the balls q. The clutches o, o<1> are arranged to rotate in, opposite directions. Movement of the sleeve k for steering will. cause either the brake disc l or l<1> to press against the disc n or n<1>; the parts j, k moving together, but no resistance is offered since the particular clutch in use is free to rotate. If, however, the road wheels attempt to rotate the shaft h, either the surfaces l<1>, n<1> or l, n are pressed together to bring into action a clutch member o or o<1> which is locked to the housing as a result of which, rotation of sleeve k and the steering wheel thereon is resisted by friction between the surfaces l<1>, n<1> or l, n. In modifications, (1) the clutch members have ratchet teeth and are prevented from rotating in one direction by pawls pivoted in the housing; (2) interleaved plate clutches are employed; (3) conical brake and clutch surfaces are formed respectively on the housing and on members rotating freely on the actuating shaft. In a still further modification, Fig. 7, the steering shaft 110 has screw-threaded engagement 114 with a pinion. 115 engaging a rack 113 with straight teeth. In contact with the pinion, at each side of it, is a clutch member 116 embraced by a helical spring 117 anchored to the housing 112 by a peg 118, the springs being so arranged that the clutches rotate in opposite directions. At the outer side of each clutch member 116 and in contact with it, a friction plate 119 is secured to the shaft, the whole being held together by nuts 120. All the modifications function in the same manner as that described with reference to Figs. 1, 2. Specification 519,322, [Group XXXII], is referred to.