Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a clutch mechanism and an energy harvesting device. The clutch mechanism includes an input member, an output member, and an actuating mechanism to govern selective torque transmission from the input member to the output member. The actuating mechanism is powered by electrical current. The energy harvesting device is electrically connected to the actuating mechanism, and the energy harvesting device is configured to scavenge available energy to generate the electrical current that powers the actuating mechanism.

Abstract: A locking device for a steering column and method of installing the locking device are provided. The locking device includes a spring body configured for installation on a rotatable bolt and comprising a biasing portion. The spring body is rotatable in one direction through a first range and second range. A lock body includes a body portion configured for mounting on the rotatable bolt and a locking portion configured to move between a first position and a second position. The biasing portion of the spring body contacts the lock body and causes the lock body to rotate with the spring body through the first range. The spring body is rotatable relative to the lock body through the second range such that at least a portion of the biasing portion is elastically deflected when the spring body is rotated through the second range.

Abstract: A steering device includes a fixed bracket, a movable bracket, a friction plate, a first friction washer, a pressing plate, engagement units, a second friction washer, and a fastening tool. The friction plate is attached to face, with an appropriate gap, at least one of both fixed side portions of the fixed bracket. The first washer is inserted between the fixed side portion and the friction plate. The pressing plate is attached to an outer surface of the friction plate. The engagement unit causes the pressing plate to be detachably attached and be immovable at least in a vertical direction. The second friction washer is clamped between the pressing plate and the friction plate. The fixed bracket, the friction plate, the first friction washer, the second friction washer, and the pressing plate are connected by penetrating therethrough a lock bolt of the fastening tool.

Abstract: A steering column arrangement for a vehicle comprises a first portion rotatably supported by a second portion. The steering column arrangement further comprises a first electrical motor that is adapted to be operably connected to a vehicle control system. The steering column is arranged to be moved laterally and/or axially by the first electric motor. The steering column arrangement further comprises locking means arranged to lock the steering column thereby preventing rotation of the steering column. The locking means comprise a first locking member attached to the steering column and a second locking member arranged to be attached to the vehicle chassis, where the first electric motor is arranged to move the steering column to a locked position in which the first locking member and the second locking member are arranged to engage, thereby preventing rotation of the steering column.

Abstract: A steering column apparatus has a fixed bracket fixed to a vehicle body and having a pair of long holes extending parallel to each other along a backward-and-forward direction; a movable bracket arranged movably in the backward-and-forward direction; a pair of bolts and a pair of nuts for fixing the movable bracket to a rear portion of the fixed bracket so that the movable bracket can move in the backward-and-forward direction with respect to the fixed bracket; a spring plate having pressing portions for holding the movable bracket at the rear portion of the fixed bracket by pressing the fixed bracket against the movable bracket; a shear pin connecting the fixed bracket and the movable bracket at the rear portion of the fixed bracket; and first and second low friction elements. Upon a secondary collision, the movable bracket smoothly moves toward a vehicle front side together with the spring plate.

Abstract: A steering device includes an outer column including fastening pieces formed to face each other at both sides, in the width direction, of a slot portion formed at either of a lower side or an upper side of an embracing body portion along an axial direction thereof, a fixed bracket clamping the outer column, a fastener that fastens the outer column and the fixed bracket, an inner column, and a pushing member having an expanding shaft portion. The two fastening pieces of the embracing body portion are connected by the fastener so that the two fastening pieces can be expanded and contracted, and the expanding shaft portion is elastically biased in an axial center direction of the outer column so as to abut on end zones of the slot portion and expand the two fastening pieces.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises a column jacket and an energy absorption system. The column jacket is configured to undergo a collapse event involving a translation of the column jacket along a longitudinal axis in response to application of a column compression force. The energy absorption system includes an anvil coupled to the vehicle and a strap coupled to the column jacket with the strap extending through the anvil such that the strap is drawn over the anvil in response to the collapse event. The strap is configured to cause: (a) a friction force to be created between the strap and the anvil; and (b) a deformation force to be created between the strap and the anvil. The strap is configured such that at least one of the friction force and the deformation force varies along the length of the strap.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly having a steering column extending between a pivot end and a steering wheel supporting end. The steering wheel supporting end is operable to engage a steering wheel. The steering column is moveable along a collapse path in response to an impacting force acting on the steering wheel supporting end. The steering column includes a cam-follower surface in fixed relation to the steering wheel supporting end. The steering column assembly also includes a cam surface spaced from the steering column and slidably engaging the cam-follower surface. The cam surface and the cam-follower surface cooperate during movement of the steering column along the collapse path to guide the steering column in rotation upwardly about the pivot end.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle includes a setting unit displaceable in at least one displacement direction for setting the position of the steering column, a holding unit nondisplaceable into this displacement direction, a securement device, in the opened state of which the setting unit (4) is displaceable with respect to the holding unit for setting the position of the steering column and in the closed state of which the setting unit (4) is secured in position by the securement device, and a crash blocking device, which is displaceable between a passive state and an active state. The blocking device raises an additional holding force against a displacement of the setting unit with respect to the holding unit into at least one displacement direction.

Abstract: In an impact absorbing type steering column apparatus for a vehicle in which two columns are fitted to each other in such a manner that an upper column, while being moved to the front part of the vehicle with respect to a lower column, absorbs the impact energy at a secondary collision of the vehicle, a bush is fixedly fitted to at least one of the outer peripheral side of the upper column and the inner peripheral side of the lower column in the fitting portion between the two columns.

Abstract: The telescoping steering column includes a fixed jacket, and telescoping a translating jacket, and an inner tubular member. A wedge, is moved by a screw, into wedging engagement with the inner tubular member to force the inner tubular member into engagement with the translating jacket and the translating jacket into the fixed jacket for preventing relative longitudinal movement.

Abstract: A steering shaft assembly has a tubular main body and a shaft, with a spring and a sleeve disposed at least partially therebetween. The shaft is disposed at least partially in the tubular main body and the sleeve is disposed at least partially between the spring and the main body. The sleeve acts to urge the spring into frictional contact with the shaft to impart an axial resistance force supporting the shaft against axial displacement in response to application of an axial force on the shaft less than the axial resistance force. The sleeve enables axial displacement of the shaft in response to application of an axial collapsing force exceeding the axial resistance force. In another construction of a steering shaft assembly, a shaft is disposed at least partially in the tubular main body and the spring is disposed at least partially in the tubular main body between the tubular main body and the shaft. The spring acts to impart a radial load between the shaft and the tubular main body.

Abstract: A spring strut with a steering knuckle, the spring strut having a tubular body to which the steering knuckle is fastened by a screw connection. The steering knuckle has a continuous slot which, together with the fastener, forms a clamping connection between the tubular body and the steering knuckle. A positioning connection, including a recess and an engagement part, exactly aligns the tubular body and steering knuckle with one another in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A device for fastening a steering wheel to a steering column, transmitting both torque and axial forces without play, whereby the end of the column and the hub of the wheel are designed to ensure form-fit transmission of torque at the site of their engagement. The device has a groove-like depression around the site of engagement on the column, the site of engagement on the hub comprises a stationary component and a component that pivots around it on an axis that parallels the axis of the column, the stationary component can be attached form-fit to the column, an elevation on the pivoting component that matches the groove-like depression and extends along at least part of it, and the pivoting component can be pivoted in two directions by a nut-and-bolt assembly installed axially non-displaceable in both the stationary component and the pivoting component, engaging and disengaging the elevation with the depression.

Abstract: A carrier for a row follower is pivoted to the front of an agricultural tractor by a horizontal carrier pivot which is at right angles to the direction of travel of the tractor. This pivot permits the carrier to pivot away from the tractor in the event the tractor is reversed in direction of travel while the row follower is in the operating position. The row follower is connected to an encoder housing. The encoder housing is mounted upon an assembly pivot bolt so that it may be tilted to a carry position which raises to horizontal position, a shank which carries the row follower. The tilting of the encoder is accomplished by a solenoid which is primarily controlled from the cab of the tractor. The row follower shank is biased to be in a position aligned with the direction of travel. Also, the row follower shank is limited by the prongs of a fork to a maximum limited deviation from the alignment with the direction of travel so that it does not swing wildly.

Abstract: A guidance system for the combination of a farm tractor and trailing implement, wherein the guidance system is of the type where the implement is attached to a 3-point hitch mechanism that can be angularly oriented in a horizontal plane by extending one side relative to the other to change the angle of the cross bar relative to the drive axle of the tractor. An alternate embodiment operates with an implement that is attached with a single pull hitch. The system includes circuitry which provides for warning of improper operation and delay means for sounding a warning, provides correction of the position of the implement without over-shooting or hunting by the system. The system utilizes Hall effect sensors for determining the angular position of a wand and or either the implement tool bar or the hitch that is attached to the 3-point hitch of the tractor.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive, mechanically coupled automatic guidance system for tractors comprising a ground line sensor which is directly coupled to a steering system comprising limited, partial, spatial disengagement or play about a narrow steering angle within which the automatic guidance system provides steering control, unencumbered by the forces of the primary steering system, especially the steering forces of a power-steered-tractor. The play in the steering system provides spatial relief of steering forces which could not otherwise be overridden by a purely mechanical system. The ground line sensor comprises three degrees of freedom permitting adjustable variation to the shape, breadth, and attitude of the sensor to conformably match a previously prepared ground line. At least two movement degrees of freedom allow the sensor to horizontally and vertically follow ground line and tractor path anomalies while providing feedback to the automatic guidance system.

Abstract: A device for supplying power to a plurality of power driven plant trimming tools is formed by a wheeled vehicle having a pair of driving wheels mounted on a vehicle frame. At least one steered wheel is rotatably mounted on the vehicle frame and is pivotal about a vertical axis for steering the vehicle. An engine is supported by the vehicle frame, and a power source is driven by the engine for supplying power to the power driven plant trimming tools. A telescopic arm and connector supporting structure, having a pair of telescopic arms is provided. A plurality of telescopic sections form each telescopic arm. Each telescopic section is constructed as a lattice. A hollow tube forms a part of each lattice and is interconnected with hollow tubes forming a part of other lattices of the telescopic arm.

Abstract: A self-propelled, self-steered vehicle for carrying a source of pressurized fluid to power and operate a plurality of manually controlled trimming tools for trimming plants in a cultivated field. The vehicle may have one of two steering devices. One steering device includes a steering lever connected to a steered wheel carrier. The steering lever includes a cable guiding element which cooperates with a guiding cable passing therethrough to constantly orient the steering lever towards an anchored end of the cable so that the wheeled vehicle automatically follows the entire unwound length of the guiding cable. Another steering device includes feelers extending outwardly of the vehicle to contact fixed objects to cause, by cooperation of the feelers with sprockets, steered wheels of the vehicle to turn away from a fixed object contacted by a feeler. Additionally, pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source is passed through moisture trapping baffles fitted in the supporting frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle guidance system which monitors the path of a towed farm implement with respect to a track provided by a previously cut furrow and provides visual cues to the towing tractor operator to maintain the path of the towed implement parallel to the track of the previously cut furrow at a constant, predetermined distance regardless of the path of the tractor towing the implement. The guidance system includes an elongated metal sled runner which is mounted on a doubly articulated carriage device. The sled runner rides in a previously cut furrow and closes an appropriate microswitch if the towed implement veers from the desired path.

Abstract: A guidance control system for a harvester or like machinery includes a steering linkage operatively connected to at least one ground engaging wheel. Harvester steering is controlled through the linkage by either an operator controlled steering wheel or a sensor responsive self-steering mechanism. The sensor responsive self-steering mechanism includes a guide assembly pivotally mounted to the harvester. The guide assembly includes a pair of laterally spaced, cooperating tines that define a path therebetween for plants being harvested. A sensor positioned on each tine senses the position of plants as they are harvested. A control circuit is responsive to the sensors to selectively impart movement to the steering linkage to self-steer the harvester. The control circuit includes a main valve controlled by the operator controlled steering wheel and a secondary valve controlled by the sensors. An auxiliary feed line leads from the main valve to the secondary valve.

Abstract: A self-propelled, self-steered vehicle for carrying a source of pressurized fluid to power and operate a plurality of manually controlled trimming tools for trimming plants in a cultivated field. The vehicle has a steering device that includes a pilot wheel that follows a pre-formed furrow, and that causes movement of a steered wheel to follow lateral deviations of the furrow and thereby steer the unit therealong. The vehicle draws a trailer that carries a supporting structure including a vertically telescopic boom and a pair of transversely extending telescopic arms that support a plurality of coiled branch conduits that communicate with an air compressor carried by the vehicle and that terminate in suitable connectors. The conduits provide compressed air to the respective trimming tools at transversely spaced positions relative to the vehicle, to permit a plurality of trimmer tool operators to simultaneously trim a plurality of plants or trees.

Abstract: A sensing unit for a row crop harvester guidance system is attached to a row crop harvester header. The header includes first and second crop dividers. Each divider has a pair of sidewalls. A crop receiving passageway is formed between the dividers. The unit comprises a rotatably mounted crop engaging arm biased into a crop engaging position by a torsion spring. In the crop engaging position the arm projects outwardly from one sidewall of one of the dividers into the passageway. The spring tension is adjustable to vary the amount of force required to actuate the crop engaging arm. Variation in the force is desirable to permit the sensing unit to operate reliably in a variety of crop and field conditions. Rotation of the crop engaging arm is limited by a shock absorbing guide movable in a slot in the sensing unit frame. The sensing unit has a housing for shielding critical components mounted on the unit from exposure to dirt and debris.

Abstract: An externally mechanically track-guided vehicle, especially for the public local passenger traffic, which is equipped with a vehicle axle having steerable wheels and with support arms arranged at the wheel hubs of the steerable wheels and extending forwardly in the driving direction on one side of a respective hub. Cross-guide rollers for automatically influencing the deflection angle of the steerable wheels are provided at the forward end of each support arm which are located in front of the steerable wheels, as viewed in the driving direction. The support arms are constructed as bending-rigid as possible under elimination of elasticities or yieldingnesses while the metallic cross-guide rollers are provided with a solid rubber tread.

Abstract: An automatic steering mechanism for a sod harvester, in which a shoe follows the cut edge of a strip of sod. The show has a working edge which slides along the cut sod edge and penetrates slightly into it, to resist the tendency of the shoe to ride up over the cut edge. A ramp on the front of the shoe is also spaced away from the working edge for the same reason. The shoe is mounted on an arm which in one embodiment actuates a pair of automobile points which transmit steering signals to a solenoid hydraulic steering valve. A mechanical connection between the steered wheels and the arm provides feedback. In another embodiment the arm on which the shoe is mounted is mechanically connected to and moves a valve shuttle bracket which operates the hydraulic steering valve. Feedback is provided by a mechanical connection from the steering wheels to a mounting block on which the steering valve is mounted, to move the steering valve bodily in a direction which counteracts the movement of the shuttle.

Abstract: A vehicle adapted to be externally guided mechanically along guide tracks, especially for public local passenger service, which includes a steerable vehicle axle provided with steerable wheels and with maximally bending resistance supporting arms arranged at wheel hubs of the steerable wheels and extending unilaterally forwardly in the driving direction of the vehicle. A transverse guide arrangement is disposed at the forward ends of the supporting arms so as to provide for an automatic track-side influencing of the turning angle of the steerable wheels. A motor is fixedly mounted in a zone of a hub of a steering wheel so as to be capable of operatively acting upon the steering wheel. The motor, when an output part thereof is at a quasi-stand still, is capable of exerting a torque on the steering wheel which torque can be freely selected in its effective direction.

Abstract: A motor vehicle adapted to be used on tracks, especially for the public local passenger traffic, with a steerable vehicle axle and with at least one non-steerable vehicle axle and with track-determining cross-guide rollers arranged on both sides of the vehicle which are provided at least within the area of the steerable wheels and are supported near the end points of mounting arms that are relatively fixed; a force-measuring device for determining the cross-guide force is provided in the mounting or bearing support of at least one of the cross-guide rollers of each vehicle wheel while a brake pressure medium valve is adapted to be influenced by the force-measuring device in such a manner that a brake deceleration is automatically initiated when the vehicle exceeds a threshold value of the cross-guide force.

Abstract: A spring biased over-center linkage transmits a biasing force to opposite guide wheels in alternate sequence for maintaining a selected one of the guide wheels in contact with one of two parallel guide surfaces, depending upon whether the vehicle is operative in a left or a right follower mode. A steering assembly controls the direction of travel of the vehicle in response to the position of the selected one guide wheel as it follows the contour of the cooperative guide surface. A double-acting reciprocative operator positions the over-center linkage at left and right bias positions for left and right follower mode operation, respectively. A spring provides over-center bias to the over-center linkage and constitutes the sole source of biasing force. The apparatus is suitable for use with a vehicle in an automated transportation system in which the vehicle travels along a predetermined travel path or a guideway.