US2143183A

US2143183A - Device to aid turning of steering wheels

Info

Publication number: US2143183A
Application number: US727351A
Authority: US
Inventors: John L Barr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-05-24
Filing date: 1934-05-24
Publication date: 1939-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 1956-01-10

Description

Jan. 10, 1939. J. 1 BARR DEVICE TO AID TURNING OF STEERING WHEELS Filed May '24, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l @wmp Jan. 1o, 1939. J, BARR 2,143,183

DEVICE To AID EUENING 0E STEERING wEEEEs Filed May 24, 19:54 2 sheets-snee: 2

/ff I f Patented Jan. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE. TO AID TURNING F STEERING WHEELS 13 Claims.

My invention relates to means for facilitating the steering of cars and in particular to means for facilitating the turning of steering wheels in cramped quarters, such as in parking and unparking cars in confined spaces.

It is an object of the invention to facilitate the turning of the steering wheels of an automobile.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable mechanism which is easily repaired and replaced and in which the power for relieving the weight at least in part on at least one of the steering wheels may be derived either through the intake manifold of` an internal combustion engine or from a moving part of the engine which drives the vehicle.

In one form of my device I employ a system which is operated from the intake manifold of the engine. In this particular form as shown, I have the intake manifold connected to a mechanism which will increase the power which may be applied tothe lift mechanism. In this form of device, I connect the intake manifold to a cylinder in which there is a moving piston. This `cylinder is relatively large and the piston is causedto move `under the pressure differential produced through connecting one side of the piston to the intake manifold. This movement of the piston is used to compress at high pressure a iluid such as oil which in turn is used to operate another piston which is attached to the compression element of the lift mechanism.

In `another form of device which I have shown, I use a rotating part of the engine such as the fly wheel of the generator, though any other suitable moving part could be employed as the source of power. In the form shown I haveemployed a belt which ts over the y wheel and the generator pulley ci this engine, and this belt is used to rotate the moving parts of a rotary pressure pump which sends uid under high pressure to the cylinder which operates the compression element of the device.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of my device as applied to the front wheels of an automobile;

Fig. 2 is` a detail view partly in section taken through the longitudinal axis of the compression element and its operating cylinder;

Fig. 3 is an end View of the mechanism which delivers the oil under high pressure to the lift mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view taken through the longitudinal axis of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

lFig. 5 is a sectional. View taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a view taken along line 6 6 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the operating valve for controlling the operation of the device, the view being shown partly in section;`

Fig. S is a side elevation of another form of my device;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken through the rotary pump of the modification of Fig. 8, the view being along the line 9-9 of Fig. 11, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a view taken along line IIl-Il'lof Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a View taken along line Il-II of Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12 is an exploded view taken along the longitudinal axis of the compression element and its operating cylinder.

Referring to the drawings I have shown an automobile frame I, the automobile being provided with a licor board 2 and` a dash 3. Passing through the oor board 2 is a steering post 4. Mounted on the frame I is an internal combustion engine 5 which has an intake manifold 6. A front axle 'I is carried by springs 8 on the frame I. i

Connected to the intake manifold 6 is a pipe 9 which communicates with a valve structure II. From the other side of the valve structure Il passes a pipe I2 which, through a fluidtight itting I3, communicates with the interior of a cylinder I4. The cylinder I4 is provided with a cylinder head I5 which may be attached to the cylinder I4 by 'screws I6. The cylinderhead IE is provided with an extended central portion Il which has a port I8 opening to the atmosphere. Within the cylinder is a piston which 1 have designated generally by numeral I9. This piston is of the usual fluid type construction and attached to this piston through the usual attaching means, indicated by numeral 20, is a` piston rod I2.

The other end of the cylinder I4 is provided with an annular hollow extended portion 22 which has a flange 23. To the flange 23 is bolted by means of bolts 24 a flange 25 of a smaller cylin- Y der element 25. Suitablel packing 21 may be inserted between the

ange elements

23 and 25 to make a fluid tight joint. 'I'he piston rod 2| is adapted to closely t into the cylinder26. The piston rod 2| passes through a suitable packing gland 28, which it is not necessary to describe in detail. Surrounding the piston rod 2l isla helical compression spring 29 which tends to hold the piston I9 in the position shown in Fig. 4. Surrounding the cylinder 26 is a reservoir 3l provided with an apertured lling tap 32. This reservoir 3l is provided with an end closure member 33. Fluid tight connections may be made where the reservoir contacts adjacent structure, as is plainly apparent in Fig. 4.

The cylinder 26 is formed with a valve head construction which comprises a central aperture 34, a conical valve seat and port 36 communicating directly therewith, and a port 31. Against the conical seat 35 is adapted to bear a ball 38 which is pressed downward by a spring 39 held in place by means of a screw tap 4l. The valve head is adapted to be screwed as indicated at 42 into the closure 33 of the reservoir 3i. A flexible pipe 43 is attached by means of siutable coupling 44 to the valve head, as is plainly shown in Fig. 4.

The valve Il before referred to comprises a fitting having ports 45 and 46. The pipe 9 through a suitable connection indicated generally by numeral 41 communicates with port 45 and the pipe l2 through a suitable similar fitting connection which is indicated generally by numeral 48 communicates with port 46. The Valve Il is provided with extensions 49 and 5| and a central aperture in these extensions, indicated by numeral 52. A screw tap 53 closes the extension at one side and through the screw tap 53 is adapted to slide Valve stem 54.

On the valve stem 54 are located fluid tight sliding

members

55 and 56. Communicating with aperture 52 is a port 56' which communicates with the atmosphere. To the valve stem 54 is pivoted at 51 an operating rod 58. To the operating rod is attached collar 59 to which is also attached a tension spring 68 that is attached, as indicated at 6|, to the valve Il.

The operating rod 58 is pivotally attached at 62 to a bell crank lever 63 which is pivoted at 64 and which has one arm provided with a foot pedal 65. The arm that carries foot pedal 65 ts through aperture 66 in the floor board 2 of the car. By pressing down on foot pedal 65 operating rod 58 will be pulled against the tension of spring 6E) to permit communication between port 45 and port 46. In this position port 56 is closed. Upon release of the foot pedal the spring 69 positions the parts as indicated in Fig. '7 and closes communication between port 45 and 46. Port 46, however, is in communication with the atmosphere through port 56.

The lift mechanism comprises a compression element 61 which has a female member 68 internally screw threaded and a male member 69 externally screw threaded. A lock nut 'H is adapted to hold the male and female members in xed relationship when the length of the compression element has once been adjusted. The male member carries a ball 12 at its end which ts within a socket formed within foot piece 13. A holding plate 14 ts over the top of the ball 12 and prevents its egress from the socket and foot piece. The plate 14 is held in place by means of screws 15.

The female member 68 is provided with an extension 16 which carries a ball 11 which ts within a socket formed in a fitting 18 that may be integrally formed with piston 19.

The tting member 18 is provided with a groove or aperture 8| permitting the compression element to be moved upward into the dotted line position indicated in Fig. 1. A retaining brad 82 holds the ball 11 in position and is itself held in place by means of screws 83.

The piston 19 is provided with a piston head assembly which I have indicated generally by numeral 84. This is of the usual fluid tight type. 'I'he piston head 84 is adapted to fit in a cylinder 85 to which is screw threaded cylinder head 86. The cylinder head 86 is held by means of clamping member 81 to the axle 1. The cylinder 85 is provided with a head fitting 88 at its other end, which is screwed onto the exterior wall of the cylinder 85 and which forms a fluid tight conn-ection with cylinder wall 85. Packing 89 may be employed to insure a fluid tight fit. In this cylinder head construction 88 there is provided a port 90 communicating with the interior of the cylinder and an extension 9| to which is adapted to be attached the iiexible pipe 43. The cylinder head construction 88 is adapted to t under a spring pad construction 92 which is carried by axle 1. This construction is adapted to rmly hold the cylinder in place.

Attached to the compression element by means of a pivoted iitting 93 is a Bowden wire 94 which passes through a sheath 95 and is adapted to be reeled up by means of a reel construction 96 that may be located on steering post 4. An antirattle spring 91 is adapted to bear against the foot of the compression element when it is in its raised position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, thereby preventing rattling or undue movement of the parts. The spring 91 may be bifurcated at its end and t over the male portion 69 of the compression element 61. The sheath 95 for Bowden wire 94 may be mounted on a suitable tting 98 which is carried by the anti-rattle spring 91.

In operation the Bowden wire is unreeled from its up position to permit the compression element 61 to fall into the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. When the device is not in use, compression element 61 occupies the other position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. l, and Bowden wire 94 is reeled up tight so that the foot of the compression element bears rmly against anti-rattle spring 91. The anti-rattle spring 91 can be carried on the spring pad which is formed on axle 1 as indicated in Fig. 2.

Let us assume that the compression element has dropped to the said position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, the operator steps on foot pedal 65, causing parts of the valve mechanism II to move so that communication between ports 45 and 46 is established, thereby throwing pipe I2 into communication with intake manifold 6. 'I'his causes suction on piston head i 9 in cylinder I4. 'Ihat is to say, atmosphere pressure entering the cylinder through port I 8 will force the piston head I9 to the left with the parts viewed from the position in which Fig. 4 is taken. This drives piston 2| to the left and compresses uid, oil in this case, in the cylinder 26.

Compressed oil is ejected through port 31 to iiexible pipe 43 where it passes downwardly, entering cylinder 85 and pressing downwardly on the piston head 84 in that cylinder, thereby compressing a spring 99 in that cylinder. This causes the compression element to be moved downwardly into contact with the roadbed, then to relieve the weight at least in part on at least one of the steering wheels of the vehicle. This relief of weight as indicated permits the steering wheels to be more readily turned which is of advantage in parking or unparkng cars in conned spaces.

Upon release of foot pedal 65 the parts in the valve will assume the position shown in Fig. '1 Aand thepressure of Athe spring in the cylinder for the compression element as well as the weight of the car will force the oil from that cylinder back into cylinder 26. The spring 29 in the vacuum cylinder I4 also aids in moving the parts into the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, air entering through pipe I2 which is drawn from the atmosphere through port 56. The ball valve 35 will permit replacement of any oil necessary to fill cylinder 25.

The reel on the steering post may then be brought into action to raise the compression element to the up position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

It is to be noted that the foot of the compression element is universally connected to the compression element and that the compression element itself is universally connected to its piston. This is of advantage in permitting adjustment to strain during the turning of the wheels, and in allowing the vehicle to be driven off the device without injury to either the device or the vehicle when the device is being used.

The various motions which may be compensated for during the turning of the steering wheels are fully set forth in my copending application Serial No. 724,168, filed May 5, 1934.

Referring to Fig. 8, I have shown a modicaltion of the device. In this form of device the cylvinder 85 is somewhat differently mounted on the axle 1. The head fitting 53 is provided with a bolt extension IGI and the cylinder head 86 at the other end is provided with a bolt extension |92. A holding plate |03 is held in place by means of nuts |04 on either end of the extensions ||l| and |02. In this form the anti-rattle spring 91 is mounted directly by some suitable attaching means |95 on the cylinder head 88. There is provided a tting |96 which is screwed into the top of the cylinder head 88 and to which is attached the flexible pipe 43.

In the `drawings I have shown the motor 5 provided with a fan |91 which carries a fan pulley |08. The fan pulley is driven by belt |09 which passes down over pulley and is carried by a crank shaft. The belt |99 also ts over pulley I |2 which is adapted to drive a generator ||3. The pulley |2 has an extension H4 over which ts a belt H5 that passes over another pulley I I E which is mounted on a shaft I i 8, of a rotary pump.

The rotary pump comprises a casing ||9 which has a reservoir |23. The casing is adapted to be attached as indicated at |2| to some suitabley portion of the motor or frame. Thereservoir |29 is provided with a filling tap |29 through which oil may be introduced into the reservoir. The bottorn of the reservoir I 2|? communicates with inlet port |22 (se-e Fig. 10) that passes into a chamber containing rotary pump gears. There is one rotary pump gear |23 mounted on the shaft IIS and keyed thereto, and another rotary pump gear |24 mounted on a shaft |25. The gear |24 meshes with gear |23. Both gears turn in a gear casing |26 formed in the casing.

This type of rotary gear pump is well known in the art. The teeth of the gears are so arranged that oil is picked up by gear |23 between the teeth when the shaft I I8 is rotated to move the gear as indicated by the arrows to the right in Fig. 9, i. e.. countercleckwise. The oil between teeth of the gears is moved around and when the-teeth of the gear |23 mesh with the teeth of gear |24, the oil is squeezed out between them. Gear |24 turns in a clockwise direction and the oil is picked up between theteeth and squirted out between the teeth of gears |24 and |23.

Let us assume, however. that the operator has lowered the compression element 61 into the position shown in 8 so that its foot rests against the ground. The operator steps on pedal |45 which pulls en rod |49 and moves the valve stem |3| into a raised position against the tension of spring |34. This causes valve member |33 to cover return port |45. The fluid then from the gear chamber |23 passes through the port |29 into flexible tube 43 and pushes the piston 84 into a lower position to relieve the weight at least in part on at least one of the steering wheels of the car. When the piston 94 has reached the down position against the tension of spring 99, oil will then be forced by the ball |59 at the top of port |49 and can pass through port |48 back into reservoir |20.

By suitably regulating the tension of spring |5I through adjustment of screw tap |52 the amount of pressure necessary to raise ball |50 from the conical seat can be regulated, so that sucient pressure can be generated to permit ready operation of the device to relieve the weight as desired, yet when pressure is too high oil will pass from the intake to the output side of the pump past ball |59.

Upon release of pressure on pedal |45 the spring |34 pulls the valve stem |3| and its assooiated parts again into the position shown in Fig. ll, and oil is forced by reason of the Weight of the car and the tension of spring 99 in cylinder back through port |29 into valve chamber |28. This oil, together with the oil which is idling through the pump can return through port `|48 into chamber |41 and through port |48 back into reservoir |20. The operatorcan thenreelup the compression element 61 to its position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a pump driven from a moving part of a motor to furnish a source of fluid under pressure, and a lift mechanism operated by fluid from the pump to relieve the weight at least in part on at least one of the steering wheels of a vehicle, comprising a cylinder adapted to receive the fluid under pressure, a piston in the cylinder, a compression element and support means carried by the piston and permitting universal movement of the top of the compression element.

2. In an apparatus of the class described for a motor driven vehicle having steering wheels, a rotary pump driven from a moving part of the motor to furnish a source of fluid under pressure, and a lift mechanism operated by fluid from the rotary pump to relieve the weight at least in part on at least one of the steering wheels of the vehicle, comprising a cylinder adapted to receive the iiuid under pressure, a piston in the cylinder, a compression element and support means carried by the piston and permitting universal movement of the top of the compression element.

3. In an apparatus of the character described for a motor driven Vehicle having steering wheels and a generator, a rotary pump to furnish a source of fluid under pressure, means connecting a moving part of the generator and the pump to operate the pump and a lift mechanism operated by fluid from the pump to relieve the weight at least in part on at least one of the steering wheels of the vehicle, comprising a cylinder adapted to receive the fluid under pressure, a piston in the cylinder, a compression element, and support means carried by the piston and permitting universal movement of the top of the compression element.

4. In an apparatus of the character described a compression element, a cylinder, a piston for the compression element adapted to move in the cylinder, a pump driven from a moving part of the motor to furnish fluid under pressure to operate the piston, support means carried by the piston and permitting universal movement of the top of the compression element.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising a compression element, a cylinder, a piston for the compression element adapted to move in the cylinder a universal connection between the element and the piston, a rotary pump driven from a moving part of the motor to furnish fluid under pressure to operate the piston, and means permitting idling of the fluid in the pump when the compression element is in its downwardly eX- tended position.

6. Apparatus of the character described comprising a compression element, a piston for the compression element adapted to move in the cylinder a universal connection between the element and the piston, a rotary pump, means connecting a moving part of a generator to the pump to operate the pump means connecting the pump, to the'cylinder to relieve the weight at least in part on at least one of the steering wheels of the vehicle, and means permitting idling of the uid in the pump when the compression element in its downwardly extended position.

'7. Apparatus of the character described comprising a compression element, a cylinder, a piston for the compression element adapted to move in the cylinder, a universal connection between the element and the piston, a pump driven from a moving part of a motor to furnish fluid under pressure to operate the piston, spring means tending to return the piston to an initial position, means to drop the compression element into operative position, and means to permit idling of the fluid in the pump when the compression element is in its raised inoperative position.

8. Apparatus of the character described comprising a compression element, a cylinder, a piston for the compression element adapted to move in the cylinder, a universal connection between the element and the piston, a rotary pump driven from a rotating part of a motor to furnish iluid underpressureto operatethe piston, spring means tending to return the piston to an initial position, means to drop the compression element into its operative position, and means to permit idling of the uid in the pump when the compression element is raised into its inoperative position.

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising a compression element, a cylinder, a piston for the compression element adapted to move in the cylinder, a universal connection between the element and the piston, a rotary pump, means connecting a moving part of the generator to the pump to operate the pump, means connecting a rotary pump and the cylinder, spring means tending to return the piston to an initial position, means to drop the compression element into its operative position, and means to permit idling of the uid in the pump when the compression element is raised into its inoperative position.

l0. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a compression element, a cylinder, a piston for the compression element adapted to move in the cylinder a universal connection between the element and the piston, a pump driven from a moving part of the motor to furnish uid under pressure to operate the piston, means to drop the compression element to operative position, valve means to permit idling of the uid in the pump when the compression element is raised into its inoperative position, and valve means permitting idling of the fluid in the pump when the compression element is in its downwardly extended position.

11. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a compression element, a cylinder, a piston for the compression element adapted to move in the cylinder a universal connection between the element and the piston, a pump driven from a moving part of the motor to furnish fluid under pressure to operate a piston, valve means permitting idling of the fluid in the pump when the compression element is in its downwardly extended position, and means to lock the uid in the cylinder when thev compression element is in its fully extended position.

12. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a compression element, a cylinder, a piston for the compression element adapted to move in the cylinder a universal connection between the element and the piston, a pump driven from a moving part of a motor to furnish uid under pressure to operate the piston, spring means tending to return the piston to an initial position,

means to drop the compression element into operative position, valve means to lock the fluid in the cylinder when the compression element is in its fully extended downward position, and

` means to permit idling of the uid in the pump when the compression element is raised into its Vinoperative position.

13. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a compression element, a cylinder, a piston for the compression element adapted to move in the cylinder a universal connection between the element and the piston, a rotary pump driven from a moving part of the motor to furnish fluid