GB832743A - Improvements in and relating to the control of movable parts - Google Patents

Abstract

832,743. Steering vehicles. COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN. Feb. 4, 1957 [Feb. 3, 1956], No. 3843/57. Class 79(5) [Also in Group XXX] In a road vehicle having a steering control member 1, Fig. 1, movable into or out of operative engagement with a fixed guide track 8, a latch 5 for holding the control member 1 in its inoperative position is automatically released while the vehicle is travelling by means projecting from the vehicle which engages an actuating member fixed at a required location along the track. In one example the control member 1 is supported by a lever 2 pivoted to a cross pin 10 on fork 3 depending from the vehicle. The lever 2 is retained in the inoperative position by the engagement of its end 9 under a step 53 of a latch 5 which is yieldably held by a spring 7 to engage the end 9 when the control member 1 is automatically raised by a ramp 14 (not shown) at the end of the track 8. The latch 5 is mounted on a transverse shaft 6 rotatable in bearings 4 on the vehicle chassis 50 and carrying a crank arm 11 engageable with a fixed ramp 12 which is placed at the required position along the track to release the latch 5 when the control member is required to be lowered. In a modification the raising of the lever 2 and release of the latch 5 may be controlled by ramps 18, Fig. 3, above the roof 56 of the vehicle and engaging rollers 17, 23 on push rods 13, 16 moving in guides 19, 21 on the roof 56. The rods 13, 16 may be yieldable to permit large movements of the rollers 17, 23 required to accommodate varying heights of vehicles. Specifications 832,741 and 832,742 are referred to.