STEERING APPARATUS Filed May 16, 1947

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Patented July 26, 1949

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ...... 2,477,869 . . . STEERING APPARATUs Edwin A. Goodwyn, Norfolk, va. Application May 16, 1947, serial No.748,425. 3 Claims. (C1.74-498) ...... : : 1. " ...... This invention appertains to steering appara ing the parts 10 and 8 in substantially snug. tus such as may be efficiently used on automo relation. . . . biles, commercial trucks, industrial or warehouse At the lower inside portion of the annulus or. trucks, motor boats, farm and other tractors and wheel is a continuous ring gear 13, with which: in connection with any steering gear or like ap the sprocket teeth of a wheel 14 mesh, the teeth paratus in which the features of this invention . being denoted by the numeral 5. The sprocket may be conveniently incorporated. wheel f4 consists of a spool-like structure 6 An important object of the invention is to pro from which the teeth 5 project, the spool-like Wide a steering apparatus which because of its Structure having a downwardly disposed pintle particular gear construction and action permits 0. axially therethrough to act as a bearing, the a more quicker changing of the course of the latter having a threaded portion 8 depending particular vehicle than is possible now with con through the outer and thickened portion 9 of wentional mechanism of this character. an arm. 20. Another object of the invention is to provide The arm 20 projects outwardly from a clamp a steering apparatus that may be conveniently 5 collar 2 which embraces the upper end of the installed at low cost and likewise maintained after shaft housing 5, as in the manner shown in Fig its installation. lure 2. A further object of the invention is to pro The teeth 5 are sufficiently long to engage the vide a steering mechanism wherein through the teeth of the ring gear 3 after passing through use of a chain and Sprocket Wheel drive less 20 a sprocket chain 22, this sprocket chain being movement of the steering wheel is required to also trained around the sprocket wheel 8 on the effect the ultimate movement of the steerable upper end of the shaft 6. wheels of the vehicle or other controlling appa Thus it can be seen, that the wheel it is free ratus with which the steering wheel is connected. to rotate on the upper end of the shaft 6 and These and various other objects and advan 25 that motion is imparted to the shaft 6 only by tages of the invention will become apparent to way of the sprocket 4, chain 22 and sprocket 8. the reader of the following description. In the operation of the assembly, with the In the drawing: parts constructed and arranged as above recited, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the steering wheel when rotary motion is imparted to the wheel , assembly with certain parts in section to disclose 30 the long teeth 5 of the sprocket 4, meshing the sprocket wheels and chain drive. with the ring gear 3 results in the rotation of Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical the sprocket wheel 4 and from thence by Way Sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of the chain. 22, motion is imparted to the sprock of Figure 1. et wheel 8 and steering shaft 6. This cog and Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional chain and gear arrangement between the steer view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2. ing wheel and the steering shaft 6 increases the ratio of drive to a substantial extent and to the Figure 4 is a vertical Sectional view taken on end that quicker turns and accomplishments of line 4-4 of Figure 3. the steering mechanism are attained with less Referring to the drawing, numeral 5 denotes 40 movement of the steering wheel and exertion. On an elongated tubular housing through which a the part of the driver than is possible with the steering wheel shaft 6 extends, the same pro use of present day steering wheels. truding beyond the upper end of the housing, to While the foregoing description sets forth the the extent shown in Figure 2. A flanged bushing invention in specific terms, it is to be understood is inserted in the upper end of the housing 5 45 that numerous changes in the shape, size and and through this projects the shaft. 6, the upper materials may be resorted to without departing end of the bushing forming a bearing for a from the Spirit and scope of the invention as cog wheel 8, this being keyed to the shaft 6 as claimed hereinafter. at 9. Having described the invention, what is Rotatable on the upper end of the shaft 6 is 50 claimed as new is: a hub to from which spokes radiate and con 1. A steering mechanism comprising a steering nect to a steering wheel 2. A cap member, wheel, a shaft upon which the steering wheel is internally threaded and denoted by numeral 2A rotatably mounted, said Wheel being provided is preferably disposed over a reduced threaded with a ring gear at the inner side thereof, an portion of the upper end of the shaft 6, for hold- 55 outer sprocket wheel, a sprocket wheel keyed to 2,477,869 3 4 the shaft, a sprocket chain trained over said trained over said wheels, the outer sprocket wheel wheels, the outer sprocket wheel being provided being provided with elongated teeth which pro with elongated teeth projecting through the ject through the chain and outwardly therefrom chain and outwardly therefrom and meshing and mesh with the ring gear of the steering wheel, with the ring gear of the steering wheel. a housing through which the shaft is rotatably 2. A steering mechanism comprising a steering mounted, and an arm projecting laterally from wheel, a shaft upon which the steering wheel is the housing and rotatably supporting the Outer rotatably mounted, said wheel being provided Sprocket wheel, and a flanged bushing in the with a ring gear at the inner side thereof, an upper portion of the housing surrounding the outer sprocket wheel, an inner sprocket wheel 10 shaft and upon which the inner sprocket wheel keyed to the shaft, a sprocket chain trained over bears. said wheels, the outer sprocket wheel being pro EDWIN A GOODWYN. vided with elongated teeth which pass through the chain and project outwardly therefrom and REFERENCES CTED mesh with the ring gear of the steering wheel, a 5 The following references are of record in the housing for the shaft and an arm projecting laterally from the housing and rotatably sup file of this patent: porting the Outer sprocket wheel. UNITED STATES PATENTs 3. A steering mechanism comprising a steer Number Name ... Date ing wheel, a rotatable steering shaft upon which 20 470,927 Edison ------Mar. 15, 1892 the steering wheel is rotatably mounted for turn 687,146 Fleckenstein ---...- Nov. 19, 1901 ing movement relative to the shaft, said wheel 1493,128 Rollag ------May 6, 1924. being provided with a ring gear at the inner side 1,877,338 Kottlowski ------Sept. 13, 1932. thereof, an outer Sprocket wheel, a sprocket 1885,417 Crener ------Nov. 1, 1932 wheel carried by the shaft, a sprocket chain 25