Abstract: A rack (1) and pinion (4) steering gear for a vehicle in which the steering angle ratio varies as a function of at least both the steering wheel angle input by the driver and vehicle speed. The steering gear comprising a rack (1) laterally displacable with respect to a steering gear housing and a pinion (4) laterally movable within the housing substantially in a direction of travel of the rack (1) whilst engaged with the rack (1). The steering angle ratio is increased in a central region of travel of the rack (1) when compared to regions either side thereof, and steering angle ratio is further increased in the central region as vehicle speed increases.

Abstract: A rack (1) and pinion (4) steering gear for a vehicle in which the steering angle ratio varies as a function of at least both the steering wheel angle input by the driver and vehicle speed. The steering gear comprising a rack (1) laterally displaceable with respect to a steering gear housing and a pinion (4) laterally moveable within the housing substantially in a direction of travel of the rack (1) whilst engaged with the rack (1). The steering angle ratio is increased in a central region of travel of the rack (1) when compared to regions either side thereof, and steering angle ratio is further increased in the central region as vehicle speed increases.

Abstract: A die for forming the toothed end of a steering rack bar from a cylindrical blank includes first and second die blocks relatively movable to converge on the blank. The die blocks incorporate opposed generally semicircular recesses to accommodate the blank. One recess incorporates the obverse form of the teeth. The recesses define a main cavity between them, as the die blocks converge to their final closed position. Subsidiary recesses are provided in one or both die blocks at the joint line therebetween, defining chambers at the final closed position. The chambers incorporates stop elements located laterally remote from the main cavity. The stop elements include longitudinally extending abutments on the first die block which overlap respective juxtaposed abutments on the second die block as the final closed position is approached. The stop elements restrict further flow of blank material away from the main cavity, while preventing blank material from flowing between the overlapped juxtaposed abutments.

Abstract: A forging die for forming a steering rack portion having teeth and two longitudinally extending guide faces from a blank. The die comprising first (18) and second (19) die members and four forming elements (52, 53, 54, 55) to converge on the blank. The first forming element (52) being on the second die member (19) for forming the teeth, the second (53) and third (54) forming elements being on the first die member (18) for forming the guide faces. The fourth forming element (55) slidable relative to the first die member (18) for forming a surface of the portion and connected to a first bias means (83, 84) allowing movement of the fourth forming element (55) during forging.

Abstract: In a vehicle track having longitudinal rail members positioned in parallel on either side of a track centerline and on which respective drive wheels and guide wheels of a vehicle move, the improvement including longitudinal rail members each having an asymmetrical cross-section and being composed of a head portion having a primary upper running face which engages the periphery of the drive wheel, a lower guide face opposed to the primary upper running face which engages the guide wheel, and a secondary running face which is substantially vertical, which is located inwardly of the head portion towards the track centerline, and which engages the flange of the drive wheel; and a leg portion extending downwardly from the head portion; and a plurality of track support members arranged at intervals along the vehicle track and composed of a clamp device having first and second clamp faces which are moveable, which are juxtaposed to the leg portion one on each side thereof, which grip the leg portion, and which each

Abstract: A self steering railway bogie configured to run on a railway track having two opposed rails defining a track centerline therebetween. The bogie has a forward end and a rearward end and includes a pair of axle sets having a forward axle set and a rearward axle set disposed at the forward end and at the rearward end of the bogie, respectively. Each axle set has a pair of independently rotating wheels defining wheel axes, each wheel being disposed at a respective side of a corresponding axle set and further having a rail-engaging profile such that a wheel of each axle set moving away from the track centerline rises and a wheel of each axle set moving toward the track centerline falls.

Abstract: A combination including a track arrangement and a vehicle to be operated on the track arrangement. The track arrangement has two sets of laterally spaced apart running faces, each set including an upper running face and a lower running face. The vehicle includes a plurality of steerable axle assemblies, each axle assembly having an axle arrangement, a pair of upper wheels journalled on the axle arrangement and engageable with respective upper running faces; and a pair of lower wheels journalled on the axle arrangement and engageable with respective lower running faces. A steering arrangement urges the axle assemblies to align with the track arrangement. A loss sensing arrangement which senses a loss of adhesion or an imminent loss of adhesion of the upper wheels with respect to the respective upper running faces. A signal arrangement generates a signal indicative of one of the loss of adhesion and the imminent loss of adhesion of the upper wheels with respect to the respective upper running faces.

Abstract: A combination includes railway tracks, each having two substantially parallel rails, each of the rails having a substantially horizontal ledge. The tracks include a first track defining a transverse discontinuity along a length thereof and comprising a first track segment and a second track segment, each of the track segments including rail ends defining a corresponding edge of the discontinuity. A second branch track diverges laterally from the first track and includes rail ends adjacent one side of the discontinuity. The first track segment further includes a switch zone portion which can flex between a first position where the rail ends of the first track segment align with the rail ends of the second track segment, and a second position where the rail ends of the first track segments align with the rail ends of the second branch track. Ties connect the rails of the switch zone portion to one another and maintain these rails in a substantially constant spaced relationship.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear having a helical pinion engaging a rack, the rack being spring urged into engagement with the pinion and having a pair of longitudinal guide faces angularly inclined to the median longitudinal plane of the rack, one each side, the rack being supported by guide means contacting the longitudinal guide faces and arranged so that the common normals passing through the points of contact or passing through the centers of the areas of contact between the guide means and the guide faces intersect at a point displaced from the centroid of the rack section towards the pinion center-line, so as to promote rolling of the rock when poor distribution of load across the rack occurs.