DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 and 2 are side and top views, respectively, of a towable vehicle or wagon with a steerable running gear according to a possible embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are detailed side and top views, respectively, of the steerable running gear according to a possible embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 and 2 are side and top views, respectively, of a towable vehicle or wagon 2 with a steerable running gear 4 according to a possible embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 are detailed side and top views, respectively, of the steerable running gear 4 according to a possible embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 together, a plurality of support wheels 6 coupled to the wagon 2 by way of at least one support axle 8 provide substantial support for the wagon 2 in a conventional manner. By way of example only, FIGS. 1 through 4 show four support wheels 6 coupled to the wagon 2 by way of two support axles 8. Alternatively, two support wheels 6 coupled to the wagon by a single support axle 8 or more than four support wheels 6 coupled to the wagon 2 by way of more than two support axles 8 may suit different applications of the wagon 2 depending on loading requirements. Furthermore, more than two support wheels 6 may couple to the wagon 2 by way of each support axle 8, such as four support wheels 6 per support axle 8.
A cantilever 10 extends away from one end of the wagon 2. A generally cylindrical bearing or socket 12 couples to the cantilever proximate a distal end of the cantilever 10. A kingpin 14 engages the socket 12 so that the kingpin 14 is free to rotate about a steering axis of rotation 16. At least one steering axle 18 that rotatably retains at least one steering wheel 20 couples to the kingpin 14 to allow each steering wheel 20 to swivel about the steering axis of rotation 16 as indicated by arrow 22. By way of example only, FIGS. 1 through 4 show two steering wheels rotatably retained by a single steering axle 18. Alternatively, a single steering axle 18 may rotatably retain a single steering wheel 20 or more than two steering wheels 20, such as four steering wheels 20, or a plurality of steering axles 18 may rotatably retain a plurality of steering wheels 20, such as two or four steering wheels 20 per steering axle 18.
A draw bar 24 couples to each steering axle 18 to tow and steer the wagon 2. The draw bar 24 may couple directly to each steering axle 18 or by way of attachment to the kingpin 14. A distal end of the draw bar 24 may have a coupler 26, such as a socket or ring, for coupling to a tow vehicle (not shown). In operation, towing the wagon 2 by way of the draw bar 24 through a turn causes the distal end of the draw bar 24 to travel in a direction indicated by arrows 28, thereby causing the kingpin 14 to rotate in the socket 12, which in turn causes each steering axle 18 to swivel each respective steering wheel 20 about the steering axis 16 and thereby steer the wagon 2 into the turn. The draw bar 24 may include one or more joints 30, such as a hinge or swivel, to allow vertical travel of the draw bar 24 as shown by arrows 32.
The hereinbefore-described embodiment of the invention is only an illustrative implementation of the invention wherein changes and substitutions of the various parts and arrangement thereof are within the scope of the invention as set forth in the attached claims.
Patent Application
20070284850
