Improvements in Irreversible Power-transmitting Mechanism, especially applicable to the Steering Mechanism of Motor Road Vehicles.

摘要

625. LÚgÚ, A. J. B. Jan. 9. Link-work. -Relates to non-reversible transmitting-mechanism especially applicable to the steering-gear of motor road vehicles and motor-boats, the action of the mechanism being based upon the principal of duplex ratchet locking-devices either of which may be temporarily disengaged to permit movement in one direction. Fig. 2 shows a part sectional plan of the mechanism as applied to the steering-column of a motor road vehicle, and Fig. 3 shows a sectional elevation on the line 3-3, Fig. 2. The upper end of the steering-shaft a is provided with an operating disk b enclosed in a stationary casing c. Two levers e, formed with plain or serrated shoes e1 adapted to engage the interior of the casing, are pivoted eccentrically at g to the operating disk b, so that each shoe prevents motion in one direction, and the two thus lock the disk. The shoes are pressed into action by means of a spring f connecting two arms on the levers. Two fingers h, j connected with the hand-wheel enter slotted holes in the disk b, the finger h also passing through shorter slots e' in overlapping curved arms on the lever e. The hand-wheel when operated first disengages one or other of the shoes according to the direction of rotation, and then moves the disk b and following member connected thereto accordingly. A spring m acting upon a pin n tends to return the fingers to the central position in the slots.